PRESIDENT MESSAGE – JUNE

MBAM has sailed through yet another successful month with the conclusion of the month of May. As an Association, we set a number of goals for every new term. As my time as MBAM President is coming to an end, I am pleased to share that I have had a great time during my two terms as the President of MBAM. I have to say that this was a thoroughly rewarding journey and I was fortunate to have a solid foundation laid on by my predecessors, the Past Presidents and Council Members. And of course, the close bond and ever ready generous and helping hands extended by the Council of the day have made everything easier for me. I would also like to thank the secretariat staff who had worked devotedly to assist me during my term as the President.

On another note, the fasting month for Muslim is just around the corner. I would like to wish that this Ramadan brings you the utmost in peace and prosperity. Happy Ramadan!

LAUNCH OF THE ASEAN SERVICE PROVIDERS CONFEDERATION (ASPC)

The members of MSPC

MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai with the appreciation plaque by MSPC

The Launch of the ASEAN Service Providers Confederation (ASPC) on 3^rd May 2016 at the Perdana Hall, Level 10, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) HQ was officiated by YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Minister of International Trade and Industry II. The launch was held during MIDA’s Seminar on ‘Malaysia Your Competitive Business Hub in ASEAN’.

Dato’ Seri Ong noted that the services sector contributes significantly to the economies of ASEAN Member States and this is likely to increase in the coming years. He said that ASEAN will further deepen the integration of the services sector in the region with the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025. This blueprint aims to further facilitate ASEAN’s integration into the global supply chains in both goods and services. When the AEC is fully implemented, there will be no substantial restrictions to ASEAN service suppliers in providing services and in establishing companies across national borders within the region.

Also present at the event was Tan Sri Dr Mohd Munir Abdul Majid, Co-Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia; Dato’ Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA; Mr Fermin Fautsch, Chairman of the EU Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUMCCI); and Ir. Choo Kok Beng, President of Malaysian Service Providers Confederation (MSPC). Meanwhile, MBAM was represented by MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai and MBAM PR Executive, Ms Tessa Hamid.

MBAM ANNUAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CONFERENCE 2016

Group photo with the recipients of the MBAM Safety & Health Awards 2016

MBAM Safety & Health Committee Members

MBAM Safety & Health Committee has successfully organised the MBAM Annual Safety & Health Conference 2016 with the theme “Safety in Heavy Lifting” on 10^th and 11^th May 2016 at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa. The event, which was officiated by Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ir. Mohtar Bin Musri, Director-General, Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Malaysia (DOSH), had attracted 300 participants.

The objectives of the Conference were to promote the importance of Safety & Health by inculcating best practices of OSH Management System and policies to protect workers from occupational hazards and risks; to inculcate the sense of responsibilities towards OSH in all walks of life; and to provide an avenue for exchange of ideas and best practices on OSH. The highlight of the Conference was the Presentation of MBAM’s Safety & Health Awards 2016 by the Guest of Honour, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ir. Mohtar Bin Musri. The award presentation, which was a joint initiative between MBAM and the Lighthouse Club Kuala Lumpur, offered a vehicle to recognise and reward the achievements of those who have worked tirelessly to enhance the safety level at the project work sites.

MBAM Safety & Health Awards 2016 were presented in two (2) categories as follows:

• MBAM Golden Award for Leadership in Safety & Health;

Winner: YBhg. Dato’ Sri Ir. Dr. Judin Bin Karim, Chairman of CIDB Holdings Sdn Bhd

• MBAM Safety & Health Award for Site Personnel;

Winner: Ms Candy Lai Yu Tian, Sunway Construction Sdn Bhd

MBAM C&P TALK SESSION 1: PRINCIPLES OF LAW RELATING TO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS & EFFECTIVE CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION/MANAGEMENT

Sr. Ong Hock Tek during the class session

Among the participants of the seminar

The 1^st of the 4 Sessions of Practical Construction Contract Administration/Management was held on 19^th May 2016 at MBAM Training Centre. Sr. Ong Hock Tek, Managing Director, BK Entrusty was there to act as the trainer for the 44 attendees. Mr Oliver Wee, MBAM Deputy Secretary-General 1/MBAM Chairman for Contracts and Practices Committee gave the opening speech.   The 1^st session focused on the Principles of Law Relating to Building and Construction Contracts & Effective Contract Administration/Management. Mr Oliver Wee in his speech extended his appreciation to Sr. Ong for agreeing to hold this seminar for the 2^nd year after we kicked it off with 6 Sessions of Practical Construction Contract Administration/Management last year.

The training programme combined technical knowledge with practical experience and skills through a lecture cum work related discussion approach / action learning approach. There are four (4) comprehensive sessions under this programme including this session. The next 3 sessions will be held on the following dates: –

• 2^nd June 2016
• 21^st July 2016
• 18^th August 2016

Overall the training was well-received and it is hoped MBAM members, especially new MBAM members will send staff to be trained to raise their understanding on critical contracts and practices matters.

6^TH INTAKE OF THE MBAM COCD PROGRAMME FOR TRADE SUPERVISOR (FOREMAN)

CIDB Senior General Manager, Mr Mohd Nazli Ahmad Mahyadin and MBAM Secretary General, Mr Dennis Tan

The group photo with the trainees of the COCD Programme

MBAM has successfully conducted the Construction Occupational Competency Development (COCD) Programme for Trade Supervisor (Foreman) for the sixth time. The class for the sixth intake was held from 5^th April 2016 – 24^th May 2016 at MBAM Training Centre. The said programme was fully funded by the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) with the primary objective to certify and register construction site personnel in particular site supervisor, site agent and site foreman.  This initiative is in line with the amendments made to CIDB Act 520 in 2011. CIDB Malaysia is committed to enhance the image and professionalism of the construction industry and towards continuous improvement in the competency of construction personnel through certification and registration. 

At the end of the six and half (6 ½) days course MBAM had successfully accredited 20 trainees.  This course has provided a breath of fresh air for the trainees, as the class was conducted in a more conducive environment where the lessons were given in a workshop manner which enabled them to share their experience and knowledge in a more open manner.  To-date MBAM and CIDB have trained one hundred four (104) foremen/ trade supervisors.

 The following trainees have received the “Certificate of Excellence” for being:

Most Outstanding Trainee

Most Improved Trainee

 MBAM AFFILIATE DIALOGUE

MBAM Deputy President, Mr Foo Chek Lee, MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai and MBAM President, Mr Matthew Tee

MBAM members and associates in a group photo at the MBAM Affiliate Dialogue 2016

Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) organized the MBAM Affiliate Dialogue 2016 on 27^th May 2016 at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa. The representatives from the following organizations attended the dialogue:-

• Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia(CIDB)
• Construction Labour Exchange Centre Bhd (CLAB)
• Building Materials Distributors Association of Malaysia
• Malacca Building Contractors’ Association
• Malaysia Mobile Crane Owners Association (1987)
• Malaysia Quarries Association
• National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association of Malaysia
• Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association (Kim Tin Seah)
• Perak Contractors Association
• Persatuan Ampunya Jentera Pembinaan Berat Malaysia
• Persatuan Kontraktor India Malaysia
• Persatuan Mesin Angkat & Kren Menara Malaysia
• Persatuan Pembinaan Terengganu (Kin Cho Hong Builders Guild)
• Persatuan Rakan Industri Rekabentuk Dalaman Malaysia (Malaysian Interior Industry Partners) (MIIP)
• Port Dickson Builders Association
• Sarawak Building & Civil Engineering Contractors Association
• Selangor & Federal Territory Builders Association
• Selangor & Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Kin Cho Hong
• The Johore Master Builders Association

The following are among the topics that were discussed during the dialogue:-

• Human resources issues affecting the construction industry: including levy and training of foreign workers
• Enforcement of CIDB Act 520
• Updates of Construction Industry Transformation Plan
• Heavy Construction Machineries Appeal on High Import Duties
• Delay in Getting Inspection for New Cranes and Issuance of Permit Mesin Angkut (PMA) and others.

62^ND MBAM ANNIVERSARY DINNER

Group photo with the sponsors of the 62^nd MBAM Anniversary Dinner

Group photo with the Guest of Honour, YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai

Some 1,800 industry leaders, heads of government departments and agencies as well as distinguished guests came together for 62^nd MBAM Anniversary Dinner Celebration on 27^th May 2016 at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa. Graced by YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Minister of Transport, Malaysia, the event featured prominent leaders of professional organizations and leading construction firms in Malaysia and ASEAN region, MBAM members and MBAM Affiliate Members, befitting the Association’s status as The Prime Mover and The Recognized Voice of the Malaysian Construction Industry.

The highlight of the dinner was the presentation of the MBAM Bronze Award to YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Tan Kia Loke, MBAM Honorary Advisor and Past Deputy President. The award was conferred to individuals and associates in recognition of meritorious services and contributions towards the growth of a self-reliant, efficient and competitive construction industry in general.

MBAM has chosen the theme “Construction Excellence through Change” for this year as we feel that for us to achieve excellence in the current globalized economy; we must be ready to change for the better. To change our ways of building things from depending on cheap labour to be more prefabricated, mechanized and utilizing the latest technologies; to change our ways to look at Safety and Health as investment instead of as cost; and to change our perspective from viewing challenges from foreign contractors as a threat to as a chance for cooperation and transfer of knowledge and skills.

PERSATUAN KONTRAKTOR INDIA MALAYSIA (PKIM) 19^TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

During the PKIM AGM

Mr Foo Chek Lee, MBAM Deputy President and Mr Lenny Lim, MBAM Senior Manager attended   Persatuan   Kontraktor India Malaysia’s (PKIM) 19^th Annual General Meeting in Royal Selangor Club on 29^th May 2016. Mr Foo Chek Lee, MBAM Deputy President was given the opportunity to give a speech at the opening ceremony.

PKIM has been an affiliate member of MBAM since the year 2000. The relationship between MBAM and PKIM gave a great opportunity for both parties to come together and work towards the common good of the Malaysian construction industry. Other issues touched on in his speech include the effort  to continually enhance collaboration through better working relationship with Agencies whether Private & Government such as Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), the Ministry of Works, Malaysia, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia and Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia, just to name a few, so that the construction industry can work together as one to quickly resolve issues affecting us as a whole.

 Matthew Tee

President