PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE AUGUST 2018

We had a significant number of events happened this month as we move closer to our biggest event this year, the 44^th IFAWPCA Convention that will be held this November. I had  the opportunity to meet the new Minister of Works, Malaysia, YB Tuan Baru Bian recently. Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) will be doing a courtesy visit to brief the Minister in more detail on the issues faced by MBAM members.

I am delighted to announce the election results for the key office bearers and introduce MBAM Council Members for the term 2018-2020. I hope that our members will continue to give their support and commitment for future MBAM events. The following are several events held in July 2018:

SMART LIVING WITH TAIWAN EXCELLENCE FOCUS FORUM IN ARCHIDEX 2018

MBAM Immediate Past President, Datuk Matthew Tee, attended and gave a short talk at Smart Living with Taiwan Excellence Focus Forum in Archidex 2018 on 5^th of July 2018 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. In the talk, Datuk Matthew Tee presented on the trends of smart living and said that the 21^st century has seen an emerging trend of countries going for intelligent buildings and progressing towards smart cities. Smart living is generally a living in an environment that provides sustainable economic development and promotes a high quality of health and life for people in key areas like mobility, environment, people, living and government. However, smart living in the context of smart city development needs strong human capital, social commitment and a highly-developed ICT infrastructure as much of the smart city’s components are ICT prompted. The all-encompassing aim is to enhance the quality of living for citizens through smart technologies. Besides talking about smart living, Datuk Matthew Tee also promoted the upcoming 44^th IFAWPCA Convention to the various attendees.

Datuk Matthew Tee delivering the talk

INVITATION TO VISIT MINISTER OF WORKS AT CIDB OFFICE

On the 5^th of July 2018, I had the opportunity to meet the new Minister of Works, Malaysia, YB Tuan Bian Baru at Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia, Putra World Trade Centre.  The meeting was very fruitful as the new Minister of Works Malaysia, YB Tuan Baru Bian was briefed on the workings of CIDB. MBAM will be doing a courtesy visit at the soonest opportunity to brief the Minister in more detail on the issues faced by MBAM members and how the industry can move forward to take advantage of the opportunities present despite the challenging cost of doing business presently faced by contractors.

MBAM HARI RAYA OPEN HOUSE 2018

MBAM Publications & Outreach Committee successfully organised the MBAM Hari Raya Open House 2018 on 6^th July 2018 at the Persatuan Alumni UM (PAUM) Club House, Kuala Lumpur. The event was held after the election and swearing in of MBAM Officer Bearers for term 2018-2020 and was attended by Press Secretary to Minister of Works Malaysia, Tuan Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, representing YB Tuan Baru Bian as the Guest of Honour. The event also saw the attendance of other distinguished guests such as Chief Executive CIDB Malaysia, Dato’ Ir. Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid, Director General DOSH Malaysia, Tuan Haji Omar Mat Piah, and many other heads of related associations and companies. Approximately 180 people attended the event. The welcome remarks was delivered by the Organising Chairman, Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz and the opening speech was delivered by me.

The event was kindly sponsored by Trans Resources Corporation Sdn Bhd, Norwest Holdings Sdn Bhd and MMC Corporation Berhad. Also held during the Opening ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the 14 participants of the 10^th Intake of the COCD programme in Kuala Lumpur and after that the Exchange of Memorandum of Agreement between MBAM and IPD OUM on the extension of collaboration for the Executive Bachelor in Construction Management and Executive Bachelor in Construction Contract Administration programmes.

Overall the event went well and MBAM hopes to hold more outreach programmes for its members in the future.

roup Photo with Guest of Honour, Tuan Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh

Group Photo with MBAM Council Members

Group Photo with MBAM Secretariat Staff

SWEARING IN OF NEW OFFICE BEARERS

MBAM elected the new office bearers for the term 2018-2020 on 6^th July 2018.

The following are the MBAM Council Members for the term 2018-2020:

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the new office bearers for the term 2018-2010. We hope to serve members better and to do that we hope members can give constructive feedback on how to take this Association to the next level.

Swearing in new MBAM Council Members

Group Photo of new Council Members

CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT (COCD) FOR CONSTRUCTION TRADE SUPERVISOR (FOREMAN) PROGRAMME 2^ND INTAKE MELAKA AT MBCA OFFICE, MELAKA

On 7^th July 2018 the second session for COCD For Construction Trade Supervisor (Foreman) in Melaka was conducted by Dr Yeow Yoon Foo on Systematic Problem Solving & Decision Making Skills and Effective Project & Scheduling Using Critical Path Analysis (CPA) Method. The event was attended by 18 participants. Mr Wong Khin Yip and MBAM Assistant General Manager, Mr Michael Thong were the assessors for this session which was also attended by MBAM Admin Officer, Ms Sung Suet Yee.

The module Systematic Problem Solving & Decision Making Skills focused on problem solving, pitfalls in decision making and range of action in decision making process. The other modules: Effective Project & Scheduling Using Critical Path Analysis (CPA) Method focused on project planning and scheduling method.

On 15^th July 2018 the third session was conducted by Mr Wong Khin Yip. The event was attend by 17 participants. Dr Yeow Yoon Foo and MBAM Assistant General Manager, Mr Michael Thong were the assessor for this session which was also attend by MBAM Assistant Manager, Muhammad Fadzley bin Salim.

The module Site Preparation & Organisation, Surveying & Setting Out focused on construction project sites, site layout and organisation.  The other modules: Monitoring & Supervising Construction Safety & Environmental Policies focused on safe working environment and construction safety, health and environment issues.

The participants of the programme

THE STAR INTERVIEW WITH MBAM PRESIDENT

The above interview with Ms Zunaira Saieed, journalist from The Star newspaper took place on 9^th July 2018 at MBAM President’s room. In the interview, MBAM took the position that we want the current minimum wage rate to be maintained in the medium term as the cost of doing construction business is still high. We hope no further increase to the wages be made to the rate of RM1,000 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM920 for Sabah and Sarawak. The industry needs time to recover and to adjust to the many cost of doing business which has already further thinned construction margins.  We agree with all the industry players that the described proposals by several parties to raise minimum wage from RM1,000 to RM1,500 for Peninsular Malaysia  may be  “excessive increase”. If this cost is increased what will happen to the overall cost of delivered projects to the Government and the rakyat? Any increase to the rates must be gradual and cannot be drastic as this will impact our global competitiveness as well. Increases must always be tied in to productivity.

Overall the interview gave MBAM the opportunity to engage with the media and also to disseminate our views to the reading public.

MBAM President, Mr Foo Chek Lee being interviewed by The Star journalist

ILMIA – SESI TOWN HALL UNTUK KAJIAN DEVELOPING MULTI-TIER LEVY: MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

The town hall session was attended by MBAM Former Vice President, Ir Chuan Yeong Ming, MBAM HR Committee Member, Mr Mazlan Haron and MBAM Assistant Manager, Muhammad Fadzley on 10^th July 2108 at Dewan PERKESO, Selangor. Institut Maklumat dan Analisis Pasaran Buruh (ILMIA) is currently doing a study on Developing Multi-Tier Levy: Malaysian Case Study and has appointed UNIMAS Holdings Sdn Bhd (UHSB) as consultant.

This research was conducted in line with strategy paper 8 of 11^th Malaysian Plan: Labour Market for an Advanced Nation.

MBAM Vice President, Ir. Chuan Yeong Ming (right) with MBAM HR Committee Member, En Mazlan Haron(left)

TALK ON AIR CONDITIONING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM CENTRE

On 11^th July 2018, MBAM Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Committee organized a “Talk On Air Conditioning and Air Distribution System”.  There were two speakers  invited to deliver the papers for the talk: Asia Pacific Technical Director, Overseas Business Department, Mr Poh Kai Sin, represented Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-Conditioning Marketing Co Ltd and  Technical  the other paper was delivered Manager of TROX Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Mr Kenneth Gong. The talk was held with the aim to share knowledge among our members on Professional Installation of Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems and Air Distribution System Purpose “Its Purpose and Common Problems”.

The talk was attended by 23 participants.  MBAM Treasurer-General and Chairman of M&E Committee,  Mr Kenneth Liew officiated the talk.  MBAM Council Member and Deputy Chairman of M&E Committee,   Mr Chong Tat Yam as well as M&E Committee members, Mr Gan Wah Lien and Mr Looi Hong Weei also were present for the event. The talk concluded with Mr Chong presenting the certificates of appreciation to both speakers.  Overall the feedbacks from the participants were that the talk was educational and had enhanced their knowledge.

Mr Kenneth Liew officiating the talk.

From left to right: Mr Chong Tat Yam, Mr Kenneth Gong, Mr Poh Kai Sin and Mr Gan Wah Lien.

M&E Talk on Air Conditioning & Air Distribution System

MEMORANDUM FOR CONSULTANCY BUDGET 2019

MBAM Secretary-General, Mr Eric Yong Shang Ming and Assistant General Manager, Mr Lenny Lim attended the above event on 12^th July 2018 at Ministry of Finance, Putrajaya. Issues submitted by MBAM include:

1. Reduction of Import Duties
2. More Funds to Encourage Export of Construction Services
3. Subsidize the Cost of Implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM)
4. Provide Incentives to Contractors to Recruit School Leavers to the Construction Industry. 
5. Set up Construction Skills Training Centre at Secondary School Level to Produce Selected Skilled Tradesmen.
6. Construction Machinery Brought into the Country by Foreign Investors/Contractors
7. LRT Line 3 Project
8. Incentive for Purchase of New Cranes
9. Government to Set Up Crane and Machinery Operators Training Centres.
10. Safety and Health & Quality Accommodation for Foreign Workers
11. Review Projects to Ensure Sustainability of Construction Growth.
12. Project Procurement and
13. Project to be Implemented by Local Contractors

Overall, the session which was chaired by Minister of Finance Malaysia, YB Tuan Lim Guan Eng who gave the opportunity for the industry to present our views to the Government of the day.

MBAM Secretary-General, Mr Eric Yong (left)

NATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL (NHRCC) WORKING GROUP NO.1

The meeting was attended by MBAM Former Chairman of Human Resources Committee, Ir. Chuan Yeong Ming and MBAM Assistant Manager, Muhammad Fadzley on 12^th July 2018 at Bilik Gerakan, MOHR. The Working Group agreed on:

• Term of references of NHRCC Working Group 1: Labor Policy and Human Resources Development.
• WG1 will be open to others industry and NGOs likes OKU associations and others. Members are encouraged to propose other association that will benefits to WG1.
• Members have to propose solutions for employment issues and human resource development as per list below :

1. Internship structure
2. Low wage – wage index
3. Skill mismatch within supply and demand
4. Increasing women participation rate particularly among graduates
5. Issues on labour migration to Singapore
6. Increasing industry collaboration with training providers
7. Issues of dependency on foreign workers
8. The need for Human Capital Development plan – TOR
9. Credibility of private training institutions
10. Current funding mechanism of TVET training programmes
11. Enhancing IR4.0
12. Integrated Labour Market Data Warehouse, Employment Insurance Scheme
13. Commercialisation of TVET innovative product
14. Unemployment among youth
15. Ageing population – working opportunity for senior citizens

During the meeting PWC Consulting Associates (M) Sdn Bhd presented “Kajian Pembangunan Pelan Induk Kebangsaan Latihan dan Vokasional (TVET) Ke Arah Negara Maju” an update of the engagement.

MBAM 2-DAY SEMINAR ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH (OSH) AND WORKSHOP ON CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS INVESTIGATION, KOTA KINABALU, SABAH

Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) together with Sabah Builders Association (SBA) jointly organised a 2-day seminar on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) and Workshop on Construction Accidents Investigation on 12^th & 13^th July 2018 at The Ming Garden Hotel & Residences, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

This Seminar was supported by Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), and endorsed by the National Council for Occupation Safety & Health (NCOSH) and Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH). It is aimed to enrich the standard of safety and health at construction work sites by creating awareness among the employers and construction site personnel on the importance of practicing high standard of occupational safety management at construction project sites.

We are honoured that Director of Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) Sabah,  Tuan Haji Zulkifli Bin Yahaya grace the event as the Guest-of-Honour to officiate the said seminar.

Among the speakers line up for day one of OSH seminar were Deputy Director, DOSH Malaysia, Tuan Nor Zamzurin Bin Md Nor presenting paper on Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in Construction Industry; Ir. M Ramuseren, CIDB Malaysia,  highlighting on Standard Requirement & Enforcement on Scaffolding under CIDB Act 520 (Amended 2011); En Rozaimy Bin Amiruddin from IJM Corporation Berhad, delivering paper on  Chief Inspector Special Order to Project Manager on Operations and Safe Management of Tower Crane – An Practical Approach to Compliance and lastly Mr Michael Yap Kok Wai from Satujaya Sdn Bhd, presenting on Sharing of Occupational Safety & Health Best Practices in Construction in Compliance with SHASSIC Requirement.

Day two Workshop on Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) was facilitated by former DOSH Director, Forensic Engineering Division, Ir. Abdul Aziz Bin Yahya. This full day workshop emphasized on accident investigation as a process of determining the root causes of accidents, on-the-job injuries, property damage, and close calls in order to prevent them from occurring again at construction site.

This two full day seminar received good feedbacks from participants composed of construction safety personnel who are responsible for occupational safety and health.

The seminar received favourable response from participants

The seminar received favourable response from participants

DISCUSSION WITH TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

The meeting was attended by MBAM Vice President, Mr Dennis Tan, MBAM HR Committee member, Mr Mazlan Haron and MBAM Assistant Manager, Muhammad Fadzley on 17th July 2018 at Dewan Serbaguna, Ministry of Human Resources. The discussion’s objective was to obtain feedback from industry, employers, trade unions and other related associations on the issue of minimum wage. This is because the proposal presented by Technical Committee was rejected by the National Wages Consultative Council.

The Technical committee will take consideration of all points given by various parties and will do a comprehensive report to the National Wages Consultative Council.

IPAF – MBAM ASIA CONFERENCE & SHOWCASE 2018

The seventh IPAF – MBAM Asia Conference & Showcase 2018 took place for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 18^th & 19^th July 2018. The event was hosted at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This showcase was held with the aim to provide opportunities for attendees and exhibitors to meet and network with industry colleagues and to gain valuable business insight about the powered access industry.

A welcome cocktail reception followed by a gala dinner hosted by IPAF was held on 18^th July 2018. The Dinner was attended by IPAF President, Mr Nick Selley, myself, MBAM Safety & Health Committee Members, Mr Wong Kheng Siew, Maj (Rtd) Leong Yee Keong, Ms Candy Lai and Mr Abdul Rahin Bin Senin and a number of MBAM secretariats.  I was given the opportunity to deliver a speech at this event.The product showcase were held on 18^th and 19^th July at Hall 6, KL Convention Centre and saw the participation of MBAM and MBAM OneBuild. Attendees had the opportunity to try a state-of-the-art MEWP simulator machine as part of IPAF’s ongoing virtual reality (VR) consultation during the showcase and exhibition.

The main conference, IPAF – MBAM Asia Conference took place on 19^th July, featuring an excellent line-up of local and international speakers speaking on a range of topics.

WORKSHOP ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY (OSHCIM): DRAFT ON GUIDELINES IN IMPLEMENTATION OF CODE OF PRACTICE AND TRAINING MODULES.

This full day workshop organized by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) on 19^th July 2018 at Menara Razak Kuala Lumpur was held with the aim to gather input from clients, principal contractors, contractors, principal designer, designer in drafting guideline in implementing Occupational Safety & Health in Construction Industry (OSHCIM) code of practices and training modules. This workshop was led by Dr Kamarizan Kidam from UTM, and was attended by representatives from key industry players such as Department of Public Works, academicians from UTM and UiTM, MBAM, DOSH, from Ministry of Manpower, Singapore,  Mr Jason Oh Boon Chye and also contractors such as Gamuda, MRT Corporation and Satujaya Sdn Bhd. Representatives from MBAM who attended this workshop were The MBAM Safety & Health Committee Chairman, MBAM Safety & Health Committee Member Mr Michael Yap, En Yusof Bin Kasiron, and The Assistant Manager, Ida Fatmawati

The OSHCIM Guidelines cover the management of safety, health and welfare when carrying out construction projects.  This guidance is for people with legal duties under sections 15 and 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994.  It explains further on what they must or should do to comply with the law.  Any actions taken should always be proportionate to the risks in the construction project. Therefore, in this workshop, it is believed that promoting safety by design as decision made in planning and design stage can have safety and health implications in the later stage of construction. Design professional can have a significant impact on construction injuries and fatalities by considering hazards in their design, hazard Prevention Through Design (PTD).

Group Photo for OSHCIM Workshop in Menara Razak, UTM KL on 19^th July 2018.

ABC OF PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAMME

The landscape of photography has changed drastically in the past hundred years. Once a formal and scheduled affair showcasing posed with the advent of smartphones, many are snapping more pictures. For the MBAM Secretariat, documenting events through photography is a key task which requires skills. In the light of this need, on  21^st  July 2017, the ABC of Photography talk was conducted by  MBAM Contracts & Practices Committee Member, Mr Lee Chee Yian, who is also an avid photographer at Tan Sri Dato’ Tee Hock Seng’s Conference Room.

The programme covered some basic concept such as Aperture / Depth of Field, Shutter Speed / Motion Blur, Light Sensitivity (ISO) and camera shooting position.

I hope that the quality of photos captured by MBAM Secretariat Staff will continue to improve as part of the overall services of the MBAM Secretariat.

MBAM Executive Director, Ms Loh Mei Ling  (right) presenting a letter of appreciation to Mr Lee Chee Yian

MBAM CERTIFICATION TRAINING FOR DESIGNATED PERSON (DP) IN CONCRETING 5^TH INTAKE

MBAM Certification training for Designated Person (DP) in Concreting 5^th Intake took place on 23^rd to 24^th July 2016 at MBAM Training Centre, followed by half day assessment on 28^th July 2018.

A Designated Person means  a  competent  person  appointed  by  an  employer to  carry  out  any  supervision  or  inspection  or  to  perform  any  tasks  or  duty prescribed  by  Building  Operations and  Works  of  Engineering  Construction (Safety)  Regulations,  1986; Therefore, a designated person  is  an “authorised person” approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location or locations at the construction site (jobsite).

 This “authorised person” is advised to undergo certification training in order to enhance their skill and competency level. This training was endorsed by DOSH and given 20 CIDB CCD Point. We hope more members will take advantage of the programme organised by MBAM and participate actively to improve their staff’s knowledge in this area.

Participants at the programme

CONTRACT AND PRACTICES SEMINAR- SESSION 3: PAYMENTS, FINAL ACCOUNTS AND CIPAA

The MBAM Contracts and Practices Committee held its third programme for the year 2018 on 27^th June 2018 at MBAM Training Centre. The session attracted 56 participants. MBAM Executive Director, Ms Loh Mei Ling  delivered the welcome speech on behalf of MBAM Vice President and Chairman of Contracts and Practices Committee,  Mr Oliver Wee where she welcomed all participants to the 3^rd session of the 9 Sessions of Practical Construction Contract Administration/Management. In her speech, Ms Loh said that construction contracts generally provide some mechanism for the final payment to be made to the contractor on completion of the works described in the contract. Agreeing on the final account can be a complicated, time consuming and adversarial process, often resulting in disputes. Thus, disputing parties may have to resort to the provisions of the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act as a relief for delayed non-payment. The session was conducted by Sr HT Ong of BK Entrusty.

The programme is actually   based on 48 BK Entrusty articles published in Master Builders Journal from 2002 to 2016. On 10^th October 2017, MBAM and The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to identify ways that MBAM and ICES may co-operate on matters in common relating to building and civil engineering surveying. Participants   who   attend at least six of the nine sessions will be eligible for advice from BK SURCO as to their potential for ICES membership and guidance with their applications for membership, subject to meeting the requirements for particular membership grades.

In view of the needs for players and personnel in the construction industry to continually acquire relevant knowledge and experience, this training programme has been designed by combining construction contract and technical knowledge with practical experience and skills through training/lectures with practical and work-related discussions.

There are nine comprehensive training sessions in this programme, covering a wide spectrum of construction contract administration and management topics, including updates related to construction case law, which affect and are of interest to the various industry players. In addition, at the end of each session, there will be a Workshop/Q&A discussion relating each topic presented.

A further detailed summary of the programme were as follows: –

• Interim Claims, Valuation and Certification Procedures
• Employers Obligation to Pay
• Set-Offs
• Fluctuations
• Quantum Meruit
• Retention Sums
• Final Account Preparation and Settlement
• Effect of Interim and Final Certificate
• Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act (CIPAA) 2012
• Definition of Payment
• Disputes under CIPAA
• Updates
• Case Law

In conclusion, the programme was a success evidenced by the large turnout for the programme.

Sr HT Ong presenting to the attendees

Participants at the programme.

91^ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY

On the 30^th July 2018, MBAM Honorary Life President, Datuk Lai Foot Kong, MBAM Honorary Advisor,  Dato’ Ng Kee Leen, MBAM Assistant General Manager, Mr Lenny Lim  and I attended the 91^st Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army at  the Grand Ballroom of The St. Regis Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Also seen at the function was MBAM Past Vice President, Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng. The event enabled networking with the attending public and the host namely Senior Colonel Zhang Wei.

A group photo at the event.

The above are just some of the events covered for this message. For a more detailed report do refer to MBAM Bulletin and our Master Builders Journal.

Foo Chek Lee JMW

President