PRESIDENT MESSAGE – DECEMBER
This year can be summarized in a few words: In the face of significant challenges, we made significant progress. I thank you for your continued commitment and all that you do to deliver on our purpose – to help MBAM continue to be the Prime Mover and Recognised Voice of the construction industry.
While there is much work to do and there may be further challenges ahead, we end 2015 stronger and better able to serve MBAM members, future members and the industry. We continued throughout the year to improve our services, to build our brand name, and to manage through the challenges the industry is facing. Today, our organisation is stronger with a membership outreach of 6076 members. MBAM is stronger and better organized to serve our members and industry, we have come through a year that was filled with both challenges and victories and we hope to continue to count on MBAM members for the year 2016.
The following are the key events in November 2015:-
Talk On Implementation of QLASSIC
From left to right: MBAM Manager, Mr Michael Thong, 2nd Speaker, Dato’ Ir. Laxana Naidu, MBAM Council Member/Deputy Chairman of Technical Committee and 1st Speaker, Tuan Haji Sazali Che Amat
Among the participants that joined the talk
MBAM Technical Committee organized a Talk on Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC) on 2nd November 2015. The talk was attended by 63 participants and was officiated by MBAM Council Member/MBAM Deputy Chairman of Technical Committee, Mr Chong Tat Yam.
The 1st speaker from Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), the General Manager, Safety & Health and Quality (SHQ) Division, Tuan Haji Sazali Che Amat, presented on the policy and direction of QLASSIC in the Construction Industry Transformation Plan. Next, Dato’ Ir. Laxana Naidu, the Principal Consultant and Director of Sysnovate Solutions Sdn Bhd took over with his in-depth presentation on QLASSIC as a management tool in Quality Management.
The talk concluded with Mr Chong Tat Yam presenting certificates and tokens of appreciation to Dato’ Ir. Laxana Naidu and Tuan Haji Sazali. Overall the seminar proved to be very informative and beneficial to the participants based on the positive feedbacks received from them.
Seminar on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Kota Kinabalu
The presentation of token of appreciation to Director DOSH, Sabah, Encik Mohd Zahari Bin Hitam
The participants that attended the annual OSH Seminar
Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) Safety and Health Committee together with the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) and Sabah Builders Association (SBA) jointly organized a 2-Day Seminar on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) and Workshop on Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment & Risk Control (HIRARC), for safety personnel in the Construction Industry on 5th & 6th November 2015 at Promenade Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Supported by Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) and endorsed by The National Council for Occupation Safety & Health (NCOSH) and the Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH), the Seminar was held with the aim to enhance the standard of safety and health at construction work sites by raising awareness among the employers and construction personnel on the importance of practicing high standard of occupational safety management and also by the sharing of best practices among industry practitioners. In total 75 participants attended the Seminar.
We are honoured to have the Director of Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH), Sabah, Encik Mohd Zahari Bin Hitam, as our Guest-of-Honour to grace and officiate the opening ceremony on 5th November 2015, witnessed by MBAM Deputy President, Mr Foo Chek Lee, accompanied by Deputy Director of Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), Sabah, Puan Salwati Abdul Karim, General Manager, Legal Advisor, Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), Tuan Haji Abdul Razak Bin Husin, and President of Sabah Builders Association (SBA), Mr Cheong Kwee Min. Overall, the seminar was judged as successful in achieving its objective to educate the participants on the importance of practicing good occupational safety and health management at project sites.
MBAM Futsal Tournament 2015
Group photo with all teams
The champion for MBAM Futsal Tournament 2015
MBAM Futsal Tournament 2015 was successfully held at Sunway Extreme Park, Sunway South Quay, Subang Jaya on Saturday, 7th November 2015. This year, 23 teams participated in the tournament, a marked increase compared to 17 teams last year. UEM Builders Berhad (Fighter ‘B’) emerged as the champion, winning the prize money of RM800.00 and the Champion Cup. Each player in the team also received a Challenge Trophy. UAC Berhad got the 1st runner up placement, winning RM600.00 cash money and 1st Runner-up Trophies for each player. The joint 3rd prize was won by Al-Ambia Sdn Bhd (Al-Ambia ‘2’) and UEM Builders Berhad (Fighter ‘A’), winning RM350.00 cash money.
MBAM would like to thank all parties involved in making the Futsal Tournament 2015 a success. Among the Council Members who attended the event were MBAM Vice President & Chairman of Publications & Outreach Committee, Mr Thomas Samuel, MBAM Deputy Secretary-General 2, Mr Ong Ka Thiam, Council Member, Mr Chong Tat Yam and I.
luncheon talk with MBAM BY Hong Leong Investment Bank Research
MBAM President, Mr Matthew Tee during his presentation
Among the analysts from various financial houses that attended the talk
Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad presentation was attended by MBAM Executive Director, Ms Loh Mei Ling, MBAM Senior Manager, Mr Lenny Lim, MBAM PR Executive, Ms Tessa Hamid, MBAM IT and Admin Executive, Mr Muhammad Fadzley Bin Salim and myself as the presenter at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on 11th November 2015. The event was organized by Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad was attended by about 20 representatives from various investment institutions who came to get some understanding on what is in store for the construction industry in 2016 and beyond as well as to get clarifications on the state of the Malaysian construction industry.
Overall, it was an interesting and very interactive talk, ending with a Q&A session, especially with regards to the dissemination of Pan Borneo projects and packages, the road forward for the industry as well as issues faced by the construction industry.
42nd IFAWPCA Convention
The new officers and Board Members
During the kagami-biraki ceremony which represents opening to harmony and good fortune.
MBAM Chief Delegates for 42nd IFAWPCA Convention, Mr Thomas Samuel
The 42nd IFAWPCA Convention, Tokyo Japan was successfully hosted by the Overseas of Construction Association of Japan (OCAJI) from 16th-19th November 2015. MBAM has emerged as one of the largest delegation at the said convention with a total of 69 participation. More than 900 overseas delegates from 17 members’ Associations from the Asian and Western Pacific region have participated in this convention. MBAM delegation was led by the Chief Delegate, Mr Thomas Samuel who represented MBAM to deliver a speech on “Partnership and Sustainability” during the 1st General Assembly of the IFAWPCA Convention. He highlighted that the theme was timely and stressed that a successful sustainable development agenda requires partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society. These inclusive partnerships built upon principles and values, a shared vision, and shared goals that place people and the planet at the centre, are needed at the global, regional, national and local level. To compliments his speech, Mr Thomas Samuel has quoted some examples of partnership and sustainability efforts practice in Malaysia.
MBAM members who have consistently showed their commitment and support to IFAWPCA also received their attendance award as follows:
5 – Conventions Attendance:
- Mr Chuan Yeong Ming
- Mr Kwan Foh Kwai
- Mr Leow Kay Pin
- Mr Ooi Tat Lean
- Mr Venadurai Kanniah
10 – Conventions Attendance:
- Dato’ Ng Kee Leen
- Mr Chan Fook Cheong
15 – Conventions Attendance:
- Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng
The event ended with the nomination of the new Office Bearers for the 43rd IFAWPCA Convention. MBAM Vice President, Ir. Chuan Yeong Ming and I was nominated as the Pro Secretary-General and 1st Vice President. While, MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai will continue to serve as the Board Member representing MBAM.
COURTESY VISIT TO The Overseas Construction Association of Japan (OCAJI)
From left to right: Mr Masato Otsubo, Mr Nonyuki Ijima and Mr Kazuyuki Yahara
Group photo with OCAJI’s Representatives
MBAM organized a courtesy visit to OCAJI’s office on 20th November 2015 to thank OCAJI for hosting the 42nd IFAWPCA Convention successfully. The visit was led by MBAM Secretary General, Mr Dennis Tan accompanied by nine other MBAM Council Members and MBAM Secretariat Staff. During the meeting, MBAM’s representative also took the opportunity to learn more about OCAJI as well as to exchange views and ideas related to construction in this region.
Apart from that, OCAJI also shared their knowledge and programmes with MBAM as part of our preparation to host the 44th IFAWPCA Convention in 2019. Overall, the visit was very fruitful as we gained many valuable information on how to organize a successful Convention.
Seminar on Budget 2016 – Solutions & the Challenges of Post Budget 2016 for Construction Industry
The seminar in session
The Presentation of Token of Appreciation to Mr Yee Wing Peng
The MBAM Finance Committee organized the Seminar on Budget 2016 – Solutions & the Challenges of Post Budget 2016 for Construction Industry on 25th November 2015 at MBAM Training Centre. Approximately 38 participants attended the seminar which was led by MBAM Honorary Tax Advisor, Mr Yee Wing Peng, who presented on 2016 Budget Highlights and the latest updates on the subject matter.
He also summarized the issues raised by MBAM that the RM500 million fund under SME Bank to promote Industrialised Building System (IBS) must be extended to G5 contractors and above as well. Mr Yee also highlighted budget allocations, key changes on income tax affecting companies and individuals, GST and Income Tax treatment on Non-allowable Expenses, updates on stamp duty, as well as on Real Property Gain Tax (RPGT) & Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The seminar was followed by an actively participated Q&A session. It is hoped that more members will join such events and engage MBAM Council Members to assist in bringing up issues that they are facing to the attention of relevant authorities.
Seminar On Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Johor
Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) Safety and Health Committee together with the Johor Master Builders Association (JMBA) and Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) jointly organized the 2-Day Seminar on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) and Workshop on Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment & Risk Control (HIRARC), for safety personnel in the Construction Industry on 30th November 2015 and 1st December 2015 at KSL Hotel & Resort, Johor Bahru. The Deputy Director, Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH), Johor, Encik Izani Bin Mohd Zain representing the Director of Dosh, Johor, Ir. Hj. Kormain bin Hj. Mohd. Noor as the Guest of Honour.
The Seminar was held with the aim of enhancing the standard of safety and health at construction work sites by raising awareness among the employers and construction personnel on the importance of practicing high standard of occupational safety management and also by the sharing of best practices among industry practitioners. Approximately 100 participants attended the Seminar which were held annually.
We are reaching the end of 2015, with one more month to go, but MBAM still has a long checklist to fulfill for the benefits of our Members. MBAM will continue to fight for the betterment of the construction industry. The past few months have had a significant impact on all of us, but I would like to thank all Members for your significant support and dedication to our numerous key events such as the 61st Anniversary Dinner, 1st ASEAN Construction Seminar and the MBAM Games series. The year ahead will bring its own challenges but I am sure by working together, remaining focused on our priorities and putting our Members first we can reached our goals. These will certainly continue to be my priorities and I am convinced I can count on you to do the same.
Matthew Tee
President