PRESIDENT MESSAGE – APRIL 2013

MESSAGE FROM MBAM PRESIDENT, MR MATTHEW TEE

GONE TOO SOON-IN MEMORY OF THE LATE MR SIA KWEE MOW, MBAM HONORARY LIFE PRESIDENT

MBAM is sadden to hear of the demise of MBAM Honorary Life President, the late Mr Sia Kwee Mow on the 14th of April 2013. Words cannot express the lost family members and those who have had the opportunity to know him but rest assured MBAM will honour his memory and his contribution to the Association as best as we can.

The late Mr Sia had served and contributed to the construction industry through his active involvement in MBAM since 1967 when he first joined as a member. His appointments in MBAM include serving as a Council Member, Treasurer, Vice President and Deputy President. He was the President from 1988 to 1994 and was conferred the MBAM Honorary Life President Award on 10th August in 2001. It is without a doubt that through his involvement in MBAM he has contributed significantly to strengthen and build up MBAM and the construction industry. During his tenure in MBAM, Mr Sia had participated actively in the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors Association (IFAWPCA) since the year 1973. The late Mr Sia has acted in various capacities as Delegate, Committee Member, Chief Delegate, Board Member, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and President. In addition, the late Mr Sia has participated actively in the activities of the Confederation of International Contractors Association (CICA) and is one of the Founder Members of ASEAN Constructors Federation (ACF) in 1985. He led the IFAWPCA delegation to the meeting between the World Bank and International Contractors Association in November 1996 in Washington DC.

Suffice to say he contributed greatly to MBAM and the construction industry as a whole and we shall all remember him as a vocal and passionate voice in the construction fraternity. The late Mr Sia is no longer with us now but in our hearts he still lives and forever will be remembered as a man guided by his conscience and principles and a man who has inspired many others who had the opportunity to meet him in this life time. But above all, we loved the late Mr Sia for what he represented – a tremendous sense of service to the construction community, at home and abroad. The late Mr Sia’s extraordinary life has been an inspiration to many of us. This is a time for us to grieve his death and more importantly a time to celebrate his life. May his departed soul rest in peace eternally.

As we proceed to move towards the second quarter of the year, things are beginning to pick up and more than ever we hope MBAM members will continue to support our events or help to disseminate the information to your contractors and suppliers to consider attending our events.

The following are future key events in the first half of the year that we will require support from MBAM Members:-

MBAM TECHNICAL PRODUCT BRIEFING 2/2013 AND MBAM FELLOWSHIP NO. 2/2013

The MBAM Technical Product Briefing No. 2/2013 and Fellowship No. 2/2013 will be fully sponsored by Industrial Concrete Products Sdn. Bhd. MBAM Technical Product Briefing No. 2/2013 is scheduled to be held as follows:-

Date: 19th April 2013 (Friday)

Time: 4.00 p.m. to 6.25 p.m.

Venue: Ballroom 2, Petaling Jaya Hilton.

The Fellowship Gathering will be held in Uncle Chili’s, Hilton Petaling Jaya from 6.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Take this opportunity to invite your friends and associates to join as MBAM members. As a token of appreciation, you will receive a training voucher worth RM200 / RM50 for every successful new ordinary / associate membership you referred to the Association.

The MBAM Fellowship No. 2/2013 is limited to 200 pax.

Please e-mail you registration to mbam04@mbam.org.my . For enquiries, kindly contact Leon Leong, Executive Officer for registration at 03-7984 8636.

TALK ON PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY BY PEKAT SOLAR SDN. BHD.

The Mechanical & Electrical Committee of MBAM will be organizing a Talk on Photovoltaic Technology by Pekat Solar Sdn Bhd. Details as below:

Date: 25th April 2013( Thursday)

Time: 2.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.

Venue: Pekat Solar Sdn Bhd 5 & 6, Cubic Space, No.6 Jalan Teknologi 3/4, Taman Sains Selangor 1, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

The talk aims to enhance members’ knowledge on Photovoltaic Technology. Please email at mbam14@mbam.org.my or kindly contact our Executive Officer Ms Cheryl Chong (ext 109) or Ms Loges, ext 112 at 03-7984 8636 for further registration.

STUDY VISIT TO KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KLIA) 2 PROJECT

The M & E Committee of MBAM is organizing a Study Visit to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 2 Project on Saturday, 27th April 2013 from 7.30am to 2.30pm. An opportunity not to be missed.

The visit aims to create awareness and enhance members’ knowledge on environmental enhancement, solar orientation, energy efficiency and durability incorporating industrialized terminal building system strategies of the design of this project. The terminal design will incorporate modern features which include the Pedestrian Skybridge, which is the first in Asia, and third in the world. This will be a very exciting learning opportunity for members.

To register please email to mbam14@mbam.org.my on or before 22nd April 2013 (Monday). For enquiries, kindly contact Ms Cheryl Chong, Executive Officer (ext:109) or Ms Loges (ext:112) for registration at 03-7984 8636.

INVITATION FOR PARTICIPATION FROM MBAM MEMBERS – BUSINESS MISSION TO JAKARTA, INDONESIA

MBAM is planning to organise a Business Mission to Jakarta, Indonesia from 12th to 15th May 2013 (Sunday-Wednesday). The objectives of the business mission are as follows:

• To share information and experiences with the Malaysian contractors and businessmen in Indonesia.
• To obtain latest update project information in Indonesia especially on the Private Partnership Projects (PPP) as well as to update on other related information.
• To establish business contact and networking with the Indonesian counterpart.

MBAM cordially invites your participation to attend the business mission. Members who are interested to participate please e-mail Ms Lee Siew Mei, MBAM Manager at mbam05@mbam.org.my .

MBAM Brain Storming Session 2012-2014 MBAM Brain Storming Session 2012-2014 will be held on 22nd June 2013 in Avillion Port Dickson where the Secretariat and MBAM Council Members will brainstorm ways to move the Association forward. I do hope that MBAM Members can provide some suggestions/constructive comments on how to improve the services of the Association and the Secretariat for the betterment of the construction industry. We also hope MBAM Members can provide some ideas on how to increase the membership of the Associations so that we can always have a better voice and presence in the construction industry. Those who wish to provide the suggestions/comments may do so by e-mailing: ed@mbam.org.my .

MBAM AFFILIATES DIALOGUE AND MBAM 59TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER 2013

MBAM Affiliates Dialogue 2013 and 59th Anniversary Dinner 2013 is scheduled to be held on Friday, 14th June 2013 at Sunway Hotel Resort and Spa and Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre respectively. We hope you will stay tuned and support the event by buying tables and advertisement packages in our souvenir programme. I would also like to announce that next year we will be celebrating our 60th Anniversary Dinner 2014. The Association is definitely looking into making the 60th Anniversary Dinner 2014 a memorable one and should you like to volunteer your expertise, time and energy into making the event a success please do not hesitate to contact MBAM Secretariat.

Other key events to look out for in the first half of the year include:

• MBAM Annual Safety Conference 2013 and Safety Awards – 26th-27th June 2013 in Sime Darby Convention Centre and
• MBAM 59th Annual General Meeting – 29th June 2013 in Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club

As we journey into the second half of the year, I am sure there will be issues and challenges which may require MBAM to follow up with the relevant Government ministries or agencies. Should you have such concern please feel free to contact MBAM Secretariat for assistance.

Yours faithfully,

Matthew Tee

President, MBAM