PRESIDENT MESSAGE – MARCH 2019
I hope everyone had a good Chinese New Year break and is ready to continue to face the rest of the year ahead with brand new spirit. MBAM’s calendar is starting to look busy again with many events in planning.
MBAM is elated with the announcement by Minister of Finance, YB Tuan Lim Guan Eng on 23rd February 2019 with the reduction of extension levy fees for foreign workers who have worked over 10 years in the construction industry by 40% to RM 6,000.00 starting 1st March 2019. On this note, MBAM wish to thank the Government as the industry needs skilled and well-trained foreign workers in order to ensure the projects can be completed in time.
Besides that, MBAM together with Sime Darby Industrial are hosting the MBAM Fellowship 2/2019 on the 8th of March at Sime Darby Industrial to bond over some networking session with MBAM members including Sime Darby customers, in conjunction with Tractors Malaysia 90th Anniversary.
Mid of this month, MBAM is also attending the 47th ASEAN Contractors Federation (ACF) Meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I hope we will be having a good exchanging of ideas and be updated with the current trend of construction industry in the region.
Besides that, I also got to join many Chinese New Year events in the last month and here are some highlight photos that I would like to share with you,
Vice President, Mr Dennis Tan; Past Vice President, Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng; and I at the Huazong Chinese New Celebration on 15th February 2019
Getting ready for tossing of yee sang at Kin Cho Hong CNY Open House on 17th February 2019 and on my left is the President, Mr Leong Kien Keong
On 20th February, MBAM received courtesy visits from Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Plumbing Association (SKLPA), Perak Plumber’s Association (PPA) and Persatuan Tukang Paip Negeri Sembilan (PTPNS). I welcomed the delegates to MBAM and then briefed them on the special scheme which MBAM and CLAB helped derived to ease the hiring of foreign workers for G1-G3 contractors. In addition, I also briefly shared on the outlook of the construction industry with the emphasis on safety issues. Earlier that day, MBAM also led the plumber association members for a meeting with Dato’ Mohd Ridhuan Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN). Some of the issues discussed were on permit and licensing, refresher course for plumber etc.
Group photo with SPAN CEO, Dato’ Mohd Ridhuan Ismail; with MBAM Vice President, Mr Dennis Tan on his left
Mr Dennis presenting a memento to Dato’ Mohd Ridhuan to commemorate the visit
Me presenting MBAM Coffee Table Book to SKLPA President, Mr Lock Mei Wai
Me presenting MBAM Coffee Table Book to PPA President, Mr Lim Hock
Me presenting MBAM Coffee Table Book to PTPNS President, Mr Mark Tung Kong Ming
MBAM recently received news of the untimely demise of MBAM Honorary Life President, the late Tan Sri Dato’ Low Keng Huat on Wednesday, 20th February 2019. There’s a special satisfaction that comes from serving a cause greater than yourself. For the late Tan Sri, we know they were not just words, they were the creed that he lived by. The late Tan Sri had served and contributed to the construction industry through his active involvement in MBAM. He was the President from 1972 to 1979 and was conferred the MBAM Honorary Life President Award in September 2015. 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 the late Tan Sri’s tenure in MBAM, the late Tan Sri had participated actively in assisting members in facing the hardships and challenges, as well as championing the issues relating to construction industry to be brought up to the attention of respective authorities and Government bodies. In fact, in 1973, under the late Tan Sri’s leadership, MBAM succeeded in persuading the Government to include a fluctuation clause in Government contract during the 1973 construction price spiral. Suffice to say he contributed greatly to MBAM and the construction industry as a whole and we shall always remember him and may his departed soul rest in peace eternally.
Before I end my note, I am pleased to inform that MBAM Outreach Committee is continuing to organise its programmes this year as a way to strengthen the relationship between MBAM Members through the platform of sports and other activities.
MBAM’s effort in organising such events need to be supported by your kind generosity in order to guarantee the success of our Outreach programmes. The Committee wishes to invite MBAM Members to be part of the sponsors for the following events. Kindly get in touch with MBAM Secretariat at 03-7984 8636 for more information.
FOO CHEK LEE JMW
MBAM President