< PreviousSUCCESSFUL TBM ASSEMBLY ATKVMRT SSP TITIWANGSA STATION BY TRANS ELITE TEAMZoomlion QUY650 (650 ton) crawler crane as main crane tolift and lower down the 128 tonMiddle Shield of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). Zoomlion 650 ton crawler crane (QUY650) as main crane and Zoomlion 180 ton crawler crane (QUY180) as tailing crane tolift and tilt the TBM shield into verticalposition before lowering down to landing shaft.Zoomlion 650 ton crawler crane (QUY650) to lift and lower down the72 ton TBM Cutterhead.20MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #114Cover StoryDuring the meeting, several key issues were brought to the attention of Tun M with the hope that his early intervention will assist contractors currently challenged by pressing industry issues, which included the cancellation, deferment and a lack of projects, outstanding/delayed payments of government projects, competition from foreign contractors and the much needed government’s support for the export of construction services overseas. MBAM proposed that contractors commissioned for projects that Courtesy Visit to the Prime Minister, YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad20MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #114Eric Yong greeting YAB TunA courtesy visit took place on 29 January 2019 at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya, which was led by MBAM President, Foo Chek Lee with Immediate Past President, Datuk Matthew Tee; Deputy President, Tan Sri Sufri Hj. Mohd Zin; Secretary-General, Eric Yong; and Council Member, Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz. were started but eventually cancelled or deferred, to be compensated accordingly; and urged the government to speed up the commissioning of projects that were announced in Budget 2019, as it is imperative to ensure project continuity for the long term growth of the industry. Outstanding payments for past and ongoing government projects that are overdue are also causing a strain on the industry players’ capacity to build and exerting pressure on the industry’s supply chain. As such, MBAM hopes that the late and non-payment issues can be quickly resolved in order to ease the burden on the contractors. MBAM is also concerned about the survival of local contractors due to competition from foreign contractors and proposed that the government award all of its construction projects to local contractors, who may then outsource relevant foreign expertise as needed. As for private jobs funded by foreign investments, MBAM proposed that the current 30% of jobs awarded to local contractors to be increased to 50%. Another issue discussed was regarding the export of local construction services overseas, which MBAM believes to be a worthwhile venture and has been encouraging local players to do. To facilitate this, MBAM urged the government to promote the export of construction services as well as to provide moral and financial support to local contractors. It is MBAM’s hope that MBAM and the government can find common ground and ways to resolve these issues affecting the local construction industry.21MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #114Cover StoryFoo presenting a memento to YAB Tun22MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #114fully-developed economy status by the year 2020; not just in terms of economic growth, but also in terms of education, societal maturity and governance. Tun stepped down as Prime Minister on 31 October 2003. In a stunning political comeback, the coalition he established in 2017 to challenge the government, won Malaysia’s 14th General Elections in 2018. At the age of 93, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad became Malaysia’s 7th Prime Minister, and the oldest Prime Minister in the world.Tun M and MBAMTun Dr Mahathir has a long history with MBAM. MBAM is part of the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Under his leadership, Malaysia transformed from an agricultural country to a modern, industrial nation. Tun emphasised a clean, efficient government and launched the Bersih, Cekap & Amanah campaign (Clean, Efficient & Trustworthy) to reduce corruption, promote efficiency and nurture trust in the public service. Other innovations he introduced to the public administration system were to insist that government employees clock in and out each day, as well as wear name tags. He also introduced closer partnerships between the government and private sector through the ‘Malaysia Incorporated’ concept. Tun is also remembered for Vision 2020, a bold vision for the country to attain Tun Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad became Malaysia’s fourth and longest-serving Prime Minister on 16 July 1981. He is known as Malaysia’s ‘Father of Modernisation’ for his successes in transforming Malaysia into a modern, industrial powerhouse.Associations (IFAWPCA). When MBAM hosted the 20th IFAWPCA Convention in Kuala Lumpur in 1983, Tun delivered the opening address at the event. Over the years, Tun had attended various MBAM events in his capacity as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, where his guidance and encouragement drove the Malaysian construction industry forward. In 1998, MBAM hosted the 29th IFAWPCA Convention in Bandar Sunway. Tun Dr Mahathir was the guest of honour at the Friendship Dinner held at the Palace of the Golden Horses. During the function, Tun was conferred the IFAWPCA-Atsumi Award, the most prestigious award for builders and contractors, for his meritorious services in the promotion of the construction Cover StoryTun M and MBAM A Short History23MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #114industry. He was the first Malaysian to receive the said award since it was instituted in 1993 by the late Mr Takeo Atsumi at the 26th IFAWPCA Convention in Tokyo. The award citation on him mentioned his ‘aggressive leadership guidance, foresight, vision and aspiration to build the nation up and lead the Malaysian people to its rightful stand as an industrialised nation in the 21st century’. It also cited Tun Dr Mahathir as being the prime mover for the construction of the Penang Bridge, North-South Toll Expressway, the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the Petronas Twin Towers, Light Rail Transit, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Second Causeway Link, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and the Multimedia Super Corridor project. In addition, the citation credited Tun for encouraging Malaysian contractors to spread their wings beyond Malaysian shores. After he stepped down as the Prime Minister, MBAM continued to look at Tun Dr Mahathir as a source of wisdom, and he was invited as the guest of honour at the 6th Malaysian Construction Summit 2014 held in Kuala Lumpur. It was as if the planets aligned perfectly when he became the Prime Minister for a second time in 2018, when MBAM was set to host the 44th IFAWPCA Convention in Kuala Lumpur in the same year. So it was only natural that Tun Mahathir was again invited to be the guest of honour at the convention, hosted for the third time by MBAM.Cover StoryTun Dr Mahathir at the 29th IFAWPCA Convention in 1998The late Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong Lay, the 6th MBAM President, with Tun Dr Mahathir at the 20th IFAWPCA Convention in 1983Tun Dr Mahathir officially opening the 11th MAJECA-JAMECA Joint Annual Conference in 1988In recognition of his active promotion and in the development of the Malaysian construction industry, Tun Dr Mahathir was conferred with the MBAM Master Builders Gold Medal Award in 1984, thus becoming its first recipient. 26MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #114help provide a life line to the affected contractors. To support the export of our construction services, the government has indicated its intention to help facilitate the meeting between MBAM with various related financial institutions. Likewise, to encourage and speed up the adoption of Industry 4.0, YB Tuan Lim Guan Eng has encouraged the industry to approach Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Berhad (SJPPB) for assistance. MBAM was also reassured that the government would look into import duties of high capacity truck cranes from other non-trade preferential countries. To support local construction equipment suppliers, MBAM has also requested the government to relook into the policy of importing second hand construction equipment and plants to avoid the dumping of foreign old plants and equipment in our country. The meeting proved to be highly productive, with a firm, positive response from the government, and assurances that it is currently looking into solving the issues raised. MBAM is thankful with the prompt action taken by the Government, and hopes to continue working closely with the government for the betterment of the Malaysian construction industry.Meeting with the Minister of Finance, YB Tuan Lim Guan EngRepresenting MBAM were President, Foo Chek Lee; Immediate Past President, Datuk Matthew Tee; Deputy President, Tan Sri Sufri Hj. Mohd Zin; Secretary General, Eric Yong; Council Member, Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz; President of Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association (PMBBMDA), Dato’ Lim Chee Tong and Executive Director, Loh Mei Ling. As the prime mover and recognised voice in the Malaysian construction industry, it is crucial for MBAM to discuss the important issues that are affecting the industry. Although several projects have been deferred by the government, MBAM is happy to note that to overcome the shortage of projects, the government is committed to speed up the calling of tenders and implementation of other projects that were approved in the last budget. As for deferred projects, decisions will be made once the necessary detailed studies have been done by the government. On project payments, MBAM took the opportunity to thank the government for its assistance in releasing several project payments. MBAM is glad that the MOF is also prepared to assist those contractors who are yet to receive their payments once they receive the necessary documentation from the said contractors through MBAM. This will In deep discussion with YB Tuan Lim Guan Eng (left)MBAM met up with the Minister of Finance in Putrajaya on 4 March 2019, with the purpose of discussing some of the critical issues facing the Malaysian construction industry. Visits & DialoguesVD27MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #114TOP: Foo presenting a souvenir to YB Tuan Lim Guan Eng; BOTTOM: Among those representing MBAM were (from left) President Foo Chek Lee, Deputy President Tan Sri Sufri Hj. Mohd Zin, Immediate Past President Datuk Matthew Tee, Secretary General Eric Yong and Council Member, Datuk Astaman Abdul AzizVisits & DialoguesVDNext >