KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The Works Ministry is proposing to the government to reduce tax on heavy and automatation equipment for the construction sector in the 2013 Budget, said its minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor.

He said the reduction of taxes was required to reduce the dependence of the construction sector on foreign workers by using the latest equipment.

Speaking at a media conference after attending the ministry's Aidilfitri celebration with Malaysian Construction Academy (ABM) alumni and construction industry players, Shaziman said his ministry was also seeking sufficient allocations to maintain roads as well as upgrade old bridges.

At the same event, Shaziman also launched ABM Alumni Club and Cooperative to encourage young people to be involved in construction which promised lucrative returns.

"The country now needs skilled local labour for various mega projects such as the My Rapid Transit (MRT) which needs 140,000 workers and the Rapid refinery project in Johor needs 40,000 technical workers. As such, through ABM, young workers can be trained as skilful ones to fill the vacancies," he said.