PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE SEPTEMBER 2018

Over the years, we have continued to challenge ourselves to stay diverse and therefore nimble in the construction marketplace.  Construction Industry continues to evolve, yet one thing remains constant: Master Builders Association Malaysia’s (MBAM) commitment to resolve industry’s issues. Without our people,   MBAM would not be what it is today. I cannot give enough credit to the many members that have been part of the MBAM team, both past and present. 

I am delighted to announce the election results for the key office bearers and introduce MBAM Council Members for the term 2018-2020. I hope that our members will continue to give their support and commitment for future MBAM events.

The following are several key events held in August 2018:

COURTESY VISIT TO THE IMMIGRATION OF MALAYSIA – FOREIGN WORKERS DIVISION AT PUTRAJAYA ON 3^RD AUGUST 2018.

On the 3^rd August 2018, MBAM has paid a courtesy visit to the Immigration of Malaysia – Foreign Workers division at Precinct 3, Putrajaya. MBAM Vice President and Chairman of Human Resources Committee Mr Dennis Tan, MBAM HR Committee Member Mr Mazlan Haron, MBAM Manager Mr Mohd Farhan and MBAM Assistant Manager Mr Muhammad Fadzley and I attended the meeting. The main objective of the meeting is to discuss issues related to foreign workers.

Firstly, we discussed about the issue where employers with foreign workers who have reached 10 years of services have to send their workers back to their country origin. However, employers can apply for permit renewal for the experience workers after 3 months if they have the quota and if the workers met the employment criteria.

Another issue discussed was the pending renewal approval of foreign worker permit. MBAM members have experienced difficulties on follow up and pending approval by 3^rd party companies. According to Immigration of Malaysia, any pending documents not submitted to immigration will be considered void on 15^th August 2018. Any employers who have difficulties with 3^rd party companies should visit the Immigration of Malaysia in Putrajaya with a complete set of documents related especially receipt of payment to 3^rd party companies. The companies are Konsortium PMF (MyEG), Syarikat Bukti Megah Sdn Bhd and International Marketing and Net Resources Sdn Bhd (IMAN).

Other issues discussed were difficulties in acquiring Bangladeshi and Nepalis foreign workers. According to Immigration of Malaysia, Bangladesh and Nepal are having new government transitions hence they are stopping supplies to other country. This has resulted in the unavailablity of workers even though the system is running.  In addition, employers have to change their source country to acquire foreign workers. However, other countries prefer to work in Middle East rather than Malaysia.

MBAM has also raised the issue of the rehiring programme, however, Immigration of Malaysia has discontinued and will not prolong the rehiring programme anymore.

Finally, MBAM has requested quota of foreign workers to be given to Construction Labour Exchange Centre Berhad (CLAB) where they can manage and redistribute foreign workers among small time contractors. However, Immigration of Malaysia will agree provided CLAB or MBAM can assure we are able to organise and are in control to prevent manipulation or unnecessary issues occurred.

The meeting concluded that any MBAM Members that are having difficulties on renewal, approval and other things related to Immigration of Malaysia must provide all complete documents and application must be  via genuine employers and not mere agents.

PROMOTIONAL VISIT FOR 44^TH IFAWPCA CONVENTION TO JAKARTA AND COURTESY VISIT TO INDONESIAN CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION (ICA), 9^TH AUGUST 2018

On 9^th  August 2018, IFAWPCA President Datuk Matthew Tee accompanied by Deputy President Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Sufri Hj Mohd Zin, Secretary General Mr Eric Yong, Council Members Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, Mr Alec Chong, Past Deputy President Mr Aziz Tan Sri Bahaman, and MBAM Manager Mr Mohd Farhan bin Muhamad Din visited the Indonesian Construction Association (ICA) secretariat for the promotion of the next 44^th IFAWPCA Convention which s scheduled to be held from 12^th – 16^th November 2018 in Kuala Lumpur.

MBAM received a warm welcome from the ICA Chairman Mr Budi Harto and the members and secretariat of ICA at Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta.  During the meeting, MBAM took the opportunity to welcome all ICA members to Kuala Lumpur to attend the 44^th IFAWPCA Convention while highlighting new business and networking programmes for ICA members to participate namely a 3-day international exhibition on building and construction industry and an international conference.  ICA has responded positively to the said initiative and pledged their full support to 2018 IFAWPCA Convention. 

In the afternoon, the delegates visited the Jakarta MRT Underground Project Section CP 104 & 105 (Senayan Station).  Project Manager from PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk Mr Kris Ariwibowo, gave the briefing on this MRTJ Project.  Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) was built to support over nine million residents of Jakarta and over four million others who commute into Jakarta. The system stretches across approximately 108 kilometers. Project stated in 2013, with Phase 1 scoped for six years. The entire project consists of eight construction package. Section CP 104 and CP 105 involve underground construction. Shimizu JV was appointed as the contactor for CP104 and CP105 which will stretch for 3.89km in length and include 4 underground stations, namely Senayan, Istora, Bendungan Hilir and Setiabudi Stations.

The stations will be connected with 2 tunnels with a total length of 2.6km and an inner diameter of 6.05m. The total contract value is approximately at JPY20.1 Billion. One of the outstanding features of the CP104 and CP105 Shimizu JV sections is the adoption of the Shield Tunnel Boring Method to construct the tunnels, making this the first time that such a method is used in Indonesia. Tunneling work using the method started on 5^th October 2015 with two tunneling machines. Both tunneling machines have continuously bored from the south side of the station, then moved into the station and finally, started boring from the north side of the station. Shimizu JV has consistently managed the traffic jam potentially caused by the construction work and has kept good relationship with the affected communities by hosting sight visits for Jakarta residents and students. Shimizu JV also maintains work with safety, targeting the completion of the project in December 2018 as planned.

MBAM would like to record our sincere appreciation and thanks to PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk and Indonesian Construction Association (ICA) for their hospitality and hosting our delegates to their wonderful and fruitful meeting and lunch as well as the technical visit.

A Group picture during the Meeting

At the Technical Visit

COURTESY VISIT TO THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCES, YB TUAN M. KULA SEGARAN ON HUMAN RESOURCES ISSUES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ON 16^TH AUGUST 2018.

On the 16^th August 2018, MBAM with our affiliate, United Malaysia Contractors Association (UMCA) has paid a courtesy visit to YB Tuan M. Kula Segaran, Minister of Human Resources Parlimen Malaysia. There were three (3) main issues discussed during the meeting such as Employment of Foreign Workers, Requirement under the CIDB Act 520 – Accreditation of Skill Workers and Foreign Worker Rehiring Programme. Other issue brought up in the meeting were increment of minimum wage, the needs of foreign workers from India especially on road works and satellite training at rural areas.

MBAM’s joint collaboration with UMCA on “Memorandum on Human Resources Issues in the Construction Industry” was handed to YB Tuan M. Kula Segaran. The meeting was attended by MBAM Vice President and Chairman of HR Committee, Mr. Dennis Tan, MBAM Deputy Chairman I of HR Committee, Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, MBAM Deputy Chairman II of HR Committee, Mr. Chong Tat Yam, UMCA President, Mr. Leong Kien Keong, UMCA Secretary-General, Mr. Sinn Fuh Ming and MBAM Assistant Manager, Mr Muhammad Fadzley Bin Salim and myself. 

The meeting concluded that Ministry of Human Resources will organize a town hall session on human resources issues with all stakeholders soon.

Mr Foo Giving The Momento To The Minister Of Human Resources, Yb Tuan M. Kula Segaran

THE 47^TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY FOR POLITEKNIK UNGKU OMAR (PUO)

The 47^th Convocation Ceremony for Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) was held on 13^th August 2018 (Monday). MBAM Deputy President cum Chairman of MBAM Education Committee, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Sufri bin Hj. Mohd Zin was given the honor to present the Bachelor’s Degree, Diploma and Special Certificates for Civil Engineering students at the second session of the Convocation ceremony. Present at the event were Director of PUO, Hj. Zairon Bin Mustapha, Head of Civil Engineering Department, Hj. Che Norazman bin Che Wan, as well as other senior officers of Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO).  Also present in the first session was Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Sufri bin Haji Mohd Zin the three deserving students that were awarded the Special Industry Award. MBAM Manager, Mr Mohd Farhan bin Muhammad Din also attended the ceremony from MBAM.

MBAM SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PRESENTATION HELD AT KOTA PERMAI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB ON SATURDAY, 18^TH AUGUST 2018

The scholarship award presentation coinciding with MBAM Annual Golf Tournament was held at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club on Saturday, 18^th August 2018.

This year MBAM has given out 12 scholarships for undergraduate studies of which 2 scholarships were sponsored by Lighthouse Club Kuala Lumpur and 1 sponsored under MBAM- Koon Yew Yin scholarship. I had presented the awards to the undergraduates at the event accompanied by MBAM Honorary Advisor (Education) Mr Chua Siow Leng who is also the Chairman of MBAM Education Fund Board of Management.

In addition to this, 4 scholarships were awarded to recipients who are taking Bachelor Executive courses under the collaboration between MBAM and IPD-OUM. Out of the 4, MBAM Deputy President  YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Sufri Haji Mohd Zin sponsored Mr Muhammad Fadzley bin Salim, and MBAM Honorary Advisor, YBhg Dato’ Ir. Tan Kia Loke sponsored Ms Wong Swee Mee. MBAM Deputy President, YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Sufri bin Hj. Mohd Zin presented the scholarship awards to all the four scholarship recipients taking Executive Bachelor courses.

Collectively, the total scholarship awarded for year 2018 is RM381,000/- over their duration of studies and to-date we have disbursed almost RM2.20 million since its inception in 1999.

Group Photo with the Scholarship Recipients

CONTRACT AND PRACTICES SEMINAR- SESSION 3: PAYMENTS, FINAL ACCOUNTS AND CIPAA AT MBAM TRAINING CENTRE

MBAM Contracts and Practices Committee held its third programme for the year 2018 on 27^th June 2018 at MBAM Training Centre which attracted 55 participants. Deputy Chairman of Contracts and Practices Committee, Mr Anthony Teoh delivered the welcome speech on behalf of MBAM Vice President and Chairman of Contracts and Practices Committee Mr Oliver Wee where he welcomed all participants to the 4^th session of the 9 Sessions of Practical Construction Contract Administration/Management.

Construction contracts generally allows the construction period to be extended where there is a delay that is not the contractor’s fault. Undoubtedly, in practice determine this can be complicated.  The programme was a success evidenced by the large turnout for the programme. I hope members will continue to support this series of programme which will run till January 2019.

Mr Anthony Teoh delivering the welcome speech.

SIGNING OF NOTES OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN MEMBER COMPANIES OF MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (MBAM) AND POLITEKNIK UNGKU OMAR (PUO) ON 3 SEPTEMBER 2018

The Signing of Notes of Collaboration for Bachelor in Civil Engineering Technology (BCT) Work-Based Learning (WBL) Programme between members companies of Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) and Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) to establish Work Based Learning (WBL) was held at MBAM Training Centre, Taman Business Park, Kuala Lumpur.

The WBL programme is designed with the aim to produce human capital that meets the needs of the construction industry. The students under the programme will be exposed to real work situation during their training period with the member companies of MBAM. Among the advantages to be gained by the students are improving classroom learning with real time / hands on experience in the construction industry and increase in the understanding of the skills required for career advancement. Through the programme, the industry will also be able to establish a closer cooperative relationship with institution of higher learning.

Photo session with MBAM Members’ Companies Representatives

FOO CHEK LEE JMW      

MBAM President