PRESIDENT WEBSITE MESSAGE – MAY 2012
DIALOGUE WITH MEMBERS ON FOREIGN WORKERS ISSUES
MBAM held a dialogue with MBAM members on the issues of foreign workers and 6P implementation. A lot of feedbacks were received to improve the 6P processes as well as to help solve problems faced by workers. As a follow up to the dialogue, a meeting was held on 9th March 2012 with YB Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor Minister of Works, Malaysia on foreign workers issues. This meeting was attended by MBAM Deputy President Mr Matthew Tee, MBAM Vice President Mr Aziz Bahaman, MBAM COO Ms Loh Mei Ling and myself. A further meeting was convened with YBhg Datuk Himmat Singh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Works on 14th March 2012 which was attended by MBAM Deputy President Mr Matthew Tee, MBAM Vice President Mr Aziz Tan Sri Bahaman, MBAM Senior Executive Officer Mr Lee Siew Mei and myself at KSU MOW Office. Issues raised include:
- Extension of 6P Programme
- Approval and Extension of Skilled Foreign Construction Workers (FCW) Aged Beyond 45
- Requirement by the Indian High Commission on Letter of Undertaking from Trade Association
- Source Countries of Foreign Workers
- Expediting Processing and Issuance of Work Permits to Bring in New Foreign Workers.
- Raid at Construction Site
- JTK Requirement for Job Clearing System
- Centralized Workers Quarter
The Ministry of Works has agreed to assist MBAM to look into issues raised and to forward our issues to Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN)) to review.
LAUNCHING OF SSS PROGRAMME IN SARAWAK
The launching of SSS Programme in Sarawak on 16th March 2012 was officiated by YBhg Dato’ Ir Dr Johari Basri, Director General of DOSH, and attended by MBAM Vice President Mr Foo Chek Lee, Mr Tan Jit Kee of Sarawak Building and Civil Engineering Contractors Association (SBCECA), MBAM Chief Operating Officer Ms Loh Mei Ling, MBAM Executive Officer Ms Chia Min Fung and myself in New UiTM Campus, Kampung Pinang, Kota Samarahan.
The SSS course was also held from the 22nd and 26th March in Penang with the Assistance of Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association (PMBBMDA). MBAM has always forged a close working relationship with key stakeholders in the construction industry to promote a responsible OSH culture in the workplace. Such enthusiasm is expected from all parties to ensure that the safety, health and welfare of all parties are taken care of in the best possible manner. MBAM will also be collaborating with a University to conduct Executive Diploma on Construction Safety, where SSS course will be part of the syllabus. Trainees completing and passing this MBAM SSS course will be accepted and exempted from attending a few modules of the Executive Diploma Programme. This is an opportunity for continuous education and career advancement for graduates of this MBAM SSS programme. MBAM will also be organizing another course in Johor in May. Those who are interested please contact MBAM Secretariat.
MBAM SENT DELEGATES TO THE 3ND INTERNATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION FORUM (IIICF) FROM 24TH – 25TH APRIL 2012 IN MACAO
MBAM sent a delegation of 16 members to attend the 3rd International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) on 24th – 25th April 2012 at the Venetian, Macao which is jointly organized and sponsored by the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA) and Macao Economic Services. The theme for this forum was “Cooperation with China for Common Development”.
This forum provides MBAM the platform to reinforce our contact with CHINCA and other international bodies for further enhancement of cooperation among the construction fraternity. This is an important event as MBAM wishes to strengthen international cooperation with CHINCA and others more proactively. To accomplish this, MBAM has also signed the “Joint Action Plan for Enhanced Cooperation on International Infrastructure Construction” at the Contractor Associations Chairmen Roundtable Meeting. This will enable MBAM and its members to be more interactive with international players in the construction industry to build stronger rapport and subsequent partnerships with other international contractors, and to understand not only the challenges but also the opportunities for construction business globally and closer at home, in CHINA-ASEAN. In fact, during the Contractors Association Chairmen Roundtable Speech session, I spoke on “How to Improve and Promote Coordination Among Contractors from Different Countries.” We also had the opportunity to meet up with the Shandong business community to exchange views and explore construction opportunities during the forum.
58th MBAM Anniversary Dinner 2012
Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) will be organizing our 58th MBAM Anniversary Dinner 2012 on 15th June 2012 at the Grand Ballroom, Level 15, Sunway Hotel Resort and Spa. 58th MBAM Anniversary Dinner 2012 is a prestigious and much anticipated annual dinner for the Malaysian construction industry and is once again expected to bring together Minister, Heads of Government Departments and agencies, industry stakeholders, leaders of professional organizations and leading construction firms in Malaysia and Asian and Western Pacific region who will be attending the Association’s memorable dinner. The theme for this year’s dinner is “Building a Better and Sustainable Future”. This theme was chosen to reflect our keen commitment in inculcating greater awareness on the need to lead our building industry to create a more sustainable future.
For further information on sponsorship kindly contact Senior Executive Officer Ms Zharraine Chang at Å 03-79848636 extension 104. We hope that your esteemed company can be a part of this major event for the Malaysian Construction Industry.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA
KWAN FOH KWAI J.M.N.
President