# School Construction Cost Planning: Pasir Mas, Malaysia > Pasir Mas school cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 44.5, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist. - Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/school-construction-cost-pasir-mas-my/ - Last updated: 2026-09-15 - Data source: National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/MYS/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames MY dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/MY.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1736372). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | National construction PLI | 44.5 (World Bank ICP 2021; World = 100) | | Screening ratio to world | 0.445 (dimensionless PLI ÷ 100; not a city location factor) | | Locality reference | 6.0493, 102.1399 (GeoNames ID 1736372) | | Snapshot population | 230,424 (41 of 50 listed Malaysia places) | | Nearest listed peer | Kota Bharu · 14 km (great-circle distance between GeoNames reference points) | | Estimate currency | MYR (obtain a current local rate and named base date) | ## Direct answer For early school construction cost planning in Pasir Mas, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Malaysia construction price-level index of 44.5, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Pasir Mas MYR/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Malaysia in 2021; it does not measure a Pasir Mas market basket or current school tenders. GeoNames 1736372 records the locality at 6.0493, 102.1399, with snapshot population 230,424. That ranks Pasir Mas 41 of 50 listed places, while Kota Bharu is the nearest listed peer at about 14 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio. *Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.* ## What does the 44.5 construction index mean? The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for **Malaysia is 44.5**, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that school work in Pasir Mas costs 0.445 times a current world rate. ## Which Pasir Mas inputs are known? The reproducible locality point is **6.0493, 102.1399** (GeoNames 1736372). Its snapshot population is **230,424**, ranked 41 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a second-order administrative seat in administrative area 03. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price. ## What must a project estimate add? For a Pasir Mas school project, reconcile teaching spaces, specialist rooms, safeguarding, sports provision and external works. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance. | Estimate field | Screening record | Project requirement | | --- | --- | --- | | National context | ICP 2021 PLI 44.5 | Retain only as dated cross-country context | | Local MYR/m² rate | Not supplied | Current comparable with named source and base date | | Area and scope | Gross floor area; scope unresolved | Measurement standard, specification and procurement route | | Additions | Not supplied | Taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation | | Review | Automated source and arithmetic QA | Qualified local cost review | ## Pasir Mas comparable-location search screen This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier. | Listed place | Great-circle km from Pasir Mas | Snapshot population | Admin area | | --- | ---: | ---: | --- | | Kota Bharu | 14 | 568,900 | 03 | | Kuala Terengganu | 137 | 426,500 | 13 | | Sungai Petani | 188 | 544,851 | 02 | | Alor Setar | 197 | 417,800 | 02 | | Bukit Mertajam | 200 | 212,329 | 09 | | Kampong Baharu Cheras Batu Sebelas | 336 | 232,100 | 12 | | Teluk Intan | 257 | 232,800 | 07 | | Paya Terubong | 219 | 226,712 | 09 | ## Price-level normalization worksheet For a validated reference rate **R** from a country with construction PLI **P**, the transparent screening calculation is **R × (44.5 ÷ P)**. At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 0.445; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached. | Input | Recorded value | Release condition | | --- | --- | --- | | Target national PLI | 44.5 (World = 100, 2021) | Screening context only | | Reference construction PLI P | User-supplied from the same ICP classification/year | Must match reference rate country | | Validated reference rate R | User-supplied | Named source, currency, date, area and scope | | Local Pasir Mas adjustment | Not asserted | Replace with current local comparable evidence | | Result status | Screening normalization | Not a budget, quote or tender estimate | ## Where can you explore related guidance? - [Explore all construction costs guidance](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs.md) - [Office Construction Cost Planning: Pasir Mas, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/office-construction-cost-pasir-mas-my.md) - [House Construction Cost Planning: Pasir Mas, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/house-construction-cost-pasir-mas-my.md) - [Retail Construction Cost Planning: Pasir Mas, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/retail-construction-cost-pasir-mas-my.md) - [School Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/school-construction-cost-kota-bharu-my.md) - [All construction costs guidance for Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/malaysia.md) - [Climate Design Data: Pasir Mas, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/climate-data/climate-design-data-pasir-mas-my.md) - [Sun Path: Pasir Mas, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/solar-data/sun-path-pasir-mas-my.md) ## Sources and method National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/MYS/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames MY dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/MY.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1736372). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate. ### Source links - [api.worldbank.org](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/MYS/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) - [worldbank.org](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data) - [download.geonames.org](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/MY.zip) ## Frequently asked questions ### Does the 44.5 index give a school cost per m² for Pasir Mas? No. 44.5 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Malaysia, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Pasir Mas MYR/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate. ### How should a Pasir Mas school estimate replace this screening benchmark? Collect current Pasir Mas comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile teaching spaces, specialist rooms, safeguarding, sports provision and external works, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate. --- - Continue in Harth (open this topic in the Harth agent): https://app.harth.build/agent?context=%2Fresources%2Fconstruction-costs%2Fschool-construction-cost-pasir-mas-my%2F - View this page in a browser: https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/school-construction-cost-pasir-mas-my/ - All resources for agents: https://harth.build/llms.txt