President Message March 2014
MBAM VICE PRESIDENT, MR FOO CHEK LEE WAS AWARDED THE JOHAN MAHKOTA WILAYAH (J.M.W.)
On 1st February 2014, MBAM Vice President, Mr Foo Chek Lee was awarded with the Johan Mahkota Wilayah (J.M.W.) by Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almu’tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku AlHaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah in conjunction with the Federal Territories Day. On behalf of Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM), I wish to express our sincere congratulations to Mr Foo Chek Lee and hope that the award will spur him to contribute more for MBAM and the industry.
TALK ON THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT IN THE CHINA’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY & GLOBAL JOB SITE PRODUCTIVITY
As part of MBAM’s vision to be The Prime Mover and The Recognized Voice of the Malaysian Construction Industry, the Association also held talks on topics that we foresee to be beneficial to our members. Hence, on 18th February 2014, MBAM organized a talk on The Changing Environment in the China’s Construction Industry & Global Job Site Productivity. The programme focused on the changing environment in the Chinese Construction Industry and the way that companies are responding to the change. The talk was delivered by Professor Fang Dongping, Head of Department of Construction Management, School of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China and Professor Roger Flanagan, Professor School of Construction Management and Engineering, University of Reading, United Kingdom. The talk also provided the opportunity for MBAM to develop stronger links with Tsinghua University, which is one of China’s top universities.
SEMINAR ON GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST)
MBAM organized a Seminar on Goods and Services Tax on 19th February 2014 at Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites, Subang. The Seminar received overwhelming response from our members as well as non-members, attracting 274 participants. The full day seminar was delivered by a group of GST experts, with special focus on the Overview of GST and How GST will affect the construction sector when it is implemented in April 2015. Among the speakers that day were
- Tuan Tan Sim Kiat, Timbalan Pengarah Kastam
- Tuan Lau Thye Mun, Penolong Pengarah Kastam
- Tuan Haslim Eairon b. Mat, Penolong Pengarah Kastam
- Puan Raizam Setapa, Penolong Kanan Pengarah Kastam II
UNIVERSITY OF READING COLLOQIUM
The 2014 Reading Collaboration Colloquium was held at the University of Reading Malaysia, Johor Bahru on 19th February 2014. The colloquium was a 2-day event with the Industry Day on Wednesday, 19th February and a Research Day on Thursday, 20th February. The colloquium was organized on a “not for profit” basis. I was invited as one of the speaker to give a talk on the Malaysian construction industry – the big issues today and in the near future. The event was attended by various professionals from different field who shared their knowledge and experience on their respective fields.
COURTESY VISIT AND DIALOGUE WITH JOHOR MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
On 19th February 2014, I was invited to Johor Master Builders Association (JMBA) for a Courtesy Visit and Dialogue session with members of JMBA. For giving me this opportunity, I would like to extend my gratitude to JMBA as they have been a supportive affiliate member of MBAM since 2004. I welcomed JMBA to have greater involvement in MBAM activities in the future. MBAM will continue to support JMBA in jointly addressing common affairs and concerns of this industry with other relevant Government authorities, allied professional institutions and trade associations.
MBAM OPEN HOUSE 2014
On 21st February 2014, MBAM organized our annual Open House at the Gardens Hotel & Residences, Mid Valley City. The annually organized Open House has been garnering a lot of attention from the construction industry players ever since its commencement many years ago. The aim of the gathering was to provide members/participants with the opportunity to make new contacts, exchange information and promote business opportunities and cooperation. The event managed to attract more than 200 MBAM members and invited guests from the construction industry. In conjunction with 60th MBAM Anniversary Celebration this year, the Open House can be considered as one in the series of celebrations that are going to be held to commemorate 6 decades of MBAM contribution in the construction industry. I believe this tradition of organizing the Open House is a good way for MBAM to further strengthen its relationship among its members as well as with the other construction industry players.
KLRCA CIPAA CONFERENCE 2014
The Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA) has organized the CIPAA Conference 2014 on 25th February 2014 at the Renaissance Hotel. It was the second conference on topic held by KLRCA. The first was held on 24th October 2013, as an introduction for the new Act. The Conference was attended by MBAM Honorary Advisor, Mr Lau Mun Cheong, MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai, MBAM Deputy Secretary-General 2, Mr Oliver Wee, MBAM Council Member, Mr Lau Yew Mun, MBAM Member, Ir. Quah Beng Tong, MBAM Contracts and Practices Members Mr Paul Kirkman and Mr Lee Chee Kun, MBAM Executive Director, Ms Loh Mei Ling and and MBAM Senior Manager, Mr Lenny Lim. KLRCA Executive Director, Prof. Datuk Sundra Rajoo was at hand to give the opening speech. In his speech he urged for the CIPAA 2012 for arbitrations in payment disputes to be implemented immediately as it is essential to sustain the growth of the construction industry in this country.
MBAM COURTESY VISIT AND DIALOGUE WITH PERSATUAN KONTRAKTOR MELAYU MALAYSIA (PKMM)
MBAM visited Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia (PKMM) on 25th February 2014 at their Headquarters in Jalan Ipoh. The Dialogue was attended by MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai, MBAM Deputy President, Mr Aziz Tan Sri Bahaman, MBAM Vice President, Tan Sri AK Nathan, MBAM Secretary General, Ir. Chuan Yeong Ming and I. the meeting was also attended by representatives from the Persatuan Kontraktor India, led by their President, Mr Sukumar Subrayalu. PKMM was represented by PKMM President, Dato’ Hj. Mokhtar Samad, PKMM Deputy Secretary-General, Ir. Jamaludin Non as well as other high ranking council members. The visit was the first after 26 years since MBAM and PKMM last met back in 1988. In the meeting, we discussed about the Overview and Outlook for construction industry for 2014 and how to deal with critical issues in the construction industry such as the delay in implementation of CIPAA and the shortages of foreign workers. MBAM hopes the sort of meeting will further strengthen the ties between the construction associations and forge more collaborations in areas that will be mutually benefitting. Together we can work hand in hand for the betterment of the construction industry in this country.
Yours faithfully
MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA
MATTHEW TEE KAI WOON
President