President Message September 2013
MESSAGE FROM MBAM PRESIDENT, MR MATTHEW TEE
August 2013 was a festive month of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and it is also the month where events were starting to pick up after the fasting month of Ramadan. The following were the key events and happenings in August 2013:-
MBAM Technical Product Briefing 4/2013 and MBAM Fellowship No. 4/2013
The MBAM Technical Product Briefing No. 4/2013 and Fellowship No. 4/2013 which was fully sponsored by Hume Cemboard Industries Sdn. Bhd were held on 16th August 2013 at Aloft Kuala Lumpur. The MBAM Technical Product Briefing No. 4/2013 was successfully held where it managed to attract a total of 246 people for both the product talk and fellowship gathering. All in all, 105 people attended the product talk while 141 people attended the fellowship gathering at Mai Bar, Rooftop, Aloft Kuala Lumpur.
On the Job Technical Training to KVMRT UG Project
MBAM held a full day on-the-job technical training to KVMRT UG Project on 21st August 2013. The visit created awareness and enhanced our members’ knowledge on the tunnelling methods, instrumentation and monitoring methods as well as the challenges faced in the construction process. Among the project sites that the participants visited were the Cochrane Launch Shaft and the ongoing construction site of the underground Maluri Station in Cheras. There were 51 participants that joined the study visit which lasted till 5.30 pm.
Study Visit to Guocera Tiles Factory
On 22nd August 2013, MBAM conducted a half-day on-the-job Technical Training to Guocera Tile Factory at Meru, Klang. The training aims to create awareness and enhance our members’ knowledge on types and properties of ceramic tiles. A Technical Presentation on the Types and Properties of Ceramic Tiles was presented by QA and Technical Manager of Ceramic Research Company Sdn Bhd, Mr Loo Sheau Ming and Senior Manager – Projects Sales of Guocera Marketing Sdn Bhd, Mr Kenneth Tan. There were 26 participants that attended the study visit.
MBAM M&E Talk on Energy Saving
MBAM Mechanical & Electrical committee organized a talk on energy saving at MBAM Conference Room on 22nd August 2013. Two speakers gave out their presentations that day, Deputy Manager of Kobe Steel Ltd, Mr Yoshihiro Kuromaki and Project Director of Cofreth (M) Sdn Bhd, Ir Leong Siew Meng. There were 21 people participated the talk on energy saving.
MBAM Annual Golf Tournament 2013
MBAM Annual Golf Tournament 2013 was held on 24th August 2013 at Palm Garden Golf Club. There were 120 participants that joined the tournament, which consisted of MBAM members and invited guests. MBAM Annual Golf 2013 Organizing Chairman, Mr Mohd Razin Ghazali delivered the speech thanking the sponsors and I also delivered a speech thanking everyone for their participation and contribution to a very successful golfing event.
The 1st runner up for MBAM Annual Golf Tournament 2014 was Mr Imran Gulcharam, 2nd runner-up was Mr Rodney Cheah while the title of champion for MBM Annual Golf 2013 goes to Mr Yap Yee Huat. MBAM also held a lucky draw session after the golf tournament, which saw Mr Tan Wee Bee winning the main prize, the latest Samsung S4. Mr Wang Yeen Wah and Mr Abd Hamid Mohd Ali also won the lucky draw cash prizes worth RM 5,000 and RM 2,500 respectively.
Courtesy Visit from Sabah Builders Association
On 27th August 2013, Sabah Builders Association (SBA) came to MBAM on a courtesy visit as well as to discuss several important matters. MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai, MBAM Deputy President, Mr Aziz Tan Sri Bahaman and MBAM Deputy Secretary-General 2, Mr Oliver Wee attended to the visit. MBAM Executive Director, Ms Loh Mei Ling and MBAM Senior Manager, Mr Lenny Lim were also in attendance. The delegation from SBA was led by President of Sabah Builders Association, Mr Choo Kim Min. Among the topic that was discussed on the courtesy visit was a proposal to hold an OSH Seminar in Kota Kinabalu in October 2013 with Director General of Department of Occupational Safety and Health as the Guest of Honour. Mr Choo also took the opportunity to extend an invitation to MBAM President to be the Guest of Honour for SBA’s 58th Annual Dinner on 8th November 2013. The meeting also discussed on the possibility of organizing a Seminar on Project Management in Kota Kinabalu to be held in November 2013.
MBAM Raya Nite 2013
August 2013 witnessed another successful Raya celebration by MBAM members and invited guests from Government agencies and other trade associations. The MBAM Raya Nite 2013 was held at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) on 28th August 2013. Dato’ Sri Ir. Dr Judin Abdul Karim was the Guest of Honour for this year’s Raya Nite 2013. A total of 222 attended the function. In the course of MBAM Raya Nite 2013, MBAM awarded 10 deserving students with the MBAM Education Fund Scholarship Awards, where one scholarship was sponsored by Lighthouse Club. They were:
Ms Chuah Say Yin
1st Year Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Taylor’s University
Ms Fahira Azua Binti Abdul Manap
1st Year Bachelor of Science in Architecture, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
Ms Mastura Binti Mohd Amin
2nd Year Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Mr Ong Wee Yeak
1st Year Bachelor of Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM
Mr Samuel Lee Chee Zin
1st Year Bachelor of Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Ms Tee Xin Joe
1st Year Bachelor of Quantity Surveying, Universiti Malaya (UM)
Mr Yong Ii Yan
1st Year Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Ms Zarifah Binti Abdullah
1st Year Bachelor of Building Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Ms Ong Wan Sheen
3rd Year Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Lighthouse Club Scholarship:
Mr Lee Zhi Zheng
1st Year Bachelor of Quantity Surveying, Universiti Malaya (UM)
The MBAM Education Fund Scholarship Awards was for deserving students at local universities pursuing degrees related to the construction industry. MBAM hopes that these graduates will eventually pursue a career in the construction industry and contribute to the development of the industry in the future. To date 82 scholarships (including those awarded in the year 2012) have been disseminated to deserving students.
I am pleased to announce that MBAM has held the 1st meeting with some of MBAM Education scholarship graduates students to initiate the setting up of Pro tem committee for MBAM Education Fund Scholarship Alumni on 28th August 2013. We hope with the setting up of this Alumni we can get some of our scholarship recipient to contribute their technical knowledge back to the construction industry.
MBAM also gave out certificates of membership to the following new MBAM members who were present:-
1) Allied Foam Insulation Sdn Bhd
2) Alloc Flooring & Interior Sdn Bhd
3) Chong Lek Engineering Works Sdn Bhd
4) CM United Sdn Bhd
5) Doka Formwork Malaysia Sdn Bhd
6) Ehsan Bina Sdn Bhd
7) Itrontech Sdn Bhd
8) Jaks Sdn Bhd
9) Pembinaan MJC Sdn Bhd
10) Shimizu Corporation
11) Southern Steel Mesh Sdn Bhd
12) Suriwong Marketing Sdn Bhd
13) Tasofo Sdn Bhd
Seminar on Liberalisation of Skilled Labour Movement in ASEAN by 2015
Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) held a seminar on “Liberalisation of Skilled Labour Movement in ASEAN by 2015” on 27th August 2013 at MICCI’s training room. MBAM Senior Executive Officer, Mr Mohd Hanif bin Ismail and MBAM PR Officer, Ms Tessa Hamid attended the Seminar. The highlight of the seminar on “Liberalisation of Skilled Labour Movement in ASEAN by 2015 – Updates, Challenges and the Way Forward” was a talk given by Director, ASEAN Economic Division of Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Ms Normah Osman. The talk gave attendees updates on the progress as well as some highlights on the liberalisation of the skilled labour movement in ASEAN including whether Malaysia is ready for free flow of skilled labour movement by 2015, the challenges and finally, the efforts taken to lead the way.
Special Meeting to discuss on the Brain Storming Findings
A Special Meeting to discuss on the Brain Storming Findings was held on 29th August 2013 at 9.30am. The meeting was attended by the following, including myself in MBAM Conference Room:
- MBAM Honorary Advisor, Dato’ Ir. Tan Kia Loke
- MBAM Honorary Advisor (Education), Mr Chua Siow Leng
- MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai
- MBAM Vice President, Mr Thomas Samuel
- MBAM Secretary-General, Ir. Chuan Yeong Ming
- MBAM Deputy Secretary-General 1, Mr Dennis Tan
- MBAM Deputy Secretary-General 2, Mr Oliver Wee
- MBAM Treasurer-General, Mr Eric Lai Wee Ming
- MBAM Council Members, Mr Eric Yong
- MBAM Council Member, Mr Kenneth Liew Kiam Woon
- MBAM Council Member, Mr Ong Ka Thiam
The following topics were deliberated in details covering areas such as:
- Future Prospects for Contractors
- Membership Services
- Technical, R & D and Construction Data and
- Education, Training and HR Development.
The objective of the strategic roadmap presented and the Special Meeting was to bring MBAM to attain a higher level of competency, especially in the linking-up with the relevant government agencies and authorities to effectively influence, if not provide inputs, to the decision-makers in terms of policy making and implementation, which could help positively contribute to the growth and development of the construction industry. Overall, the meeting was productive and will be converted into Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for the various MBAM committees and Secretariat staff.
ETP Midyear Briefing: On track towards 2020
Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) held a Briefing titled “ETP Midyear Briefing: On Track Towards 2020”. MBAM Senior Executive Officer, Mr Mohd Hanif bin Ismail and MBAM PR Officer, Ms Tessa Hamid attended the briefing on 29th August 2013 at Securities Commission, Bukit Kiara. The briefing was given by CEO of Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) and Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, YB Senator Dato’ Sri Idris Jala. The event provided the update on the progress of the ETP for H1 2013. This is the first briefing by PEMANDU on the ETP since the release of its 2012 Annual Report in March 2013.
YB Senator Dato’ Sri Idris Jala also shared the highlights and challenges of implementation, progress of structural policy reforms and ETP realised investments recorded for the first half year of 2013. At the end of the briefing, there was also a panel discussion by key players leading the Greater Kuala Lumpur development in MRT, Infrastructure and Investments. The key players consisted of the Secretary General of Planning and Development, Ministry of Federal Territory,
YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Adnan Ikshan, CEO of MRT Corp, YBhg. Dato’ Azhar Abdul Hamid, CEO of InvestKL, Zainal Amanshah and Director, Greater KL/KV NKEA and Urban Public Transport NKRA, PEMANDU, Dato’ Ahmad Suhaili Idrus,
Matthew Tee
President, MBAM