Malaysia’s sole state cement man-ufacturer, CMS Cement has denied claims that it was responsible for delays in projects and rise in house prices.Clarifying the company’s position, CMS Group Managing Director Datuk Richard Curtis stated that an unforeseen technical fault resulted in an unscheduled four day shutdown of its Bintulu plant in late November. The situation was further complicated by bad weather resulting in disruption of loading and unloading of bagged cement for delivery by barge to Sibu from its Kuching plant. Thus the production shortfall from the Bintulu plant could not be compensated.Curtis explained that though there had been a short term supply disruption in Sibu, the company was trying its level best to overcome the problem. He expressed confidence that inspite of the continuous bad weather, monthly demand for cement in Sibu will be met.