PRESIDENT MESSAGE – OCTOBER

We are now transitioning to the last 3 months of the year, yet MBAM’s calendar is still full with activities and events as we continue to give the best services to our Members. We have just gone through one of the most challenging month in the year as it was the month where we had our biggest events namely the MBAM 61^st Anniversary Dinner, 1^st ASEAN Construction Summit, MBAM OSH Penang and many more. I am proud to say that MBAM have managed to organise all these events successfully. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all Council Members and secretariat staffs that are directly or indirectly involved towards making these events a success. Not to be forgotten, I would like to say thank you to our Members and Affiliates who have supported our events wholeheartedly and contributed to making it a success.

I am also pleased to inform you that the much awaited MBAM Annual Golf Tournament 2015 will be held on 24^th October 2015 (Saturday), 8.00 am at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club. I look forward to the support from our Members to ensure the success of the annual Golf Tournament.

MBAM Workshop on Heavy Lifting Plan

Participants at the workshop

Group picture

MBAM Safety & Health Committee organized the 2-day workshop on Heavy Lifting Plan on 1-2 September 2015 at MBAM Training Centre. The trainer for the workshop was Mr Chong Tshun Ming, Senior Manager, from GAMUDA Plant Operator School (GPOS), a subsidiary of Gamuda Berhad. He has worked at GPOS for more than 10 years, and was involved in various projects including SMART, EDTP and the latest KVMRT SBK Line. This workshop saw the participation of 33 participants on both days. Most of the participants were lifting supervisors and other personnel involved in lifting planning works in construction site operation.

At the end of this workshop, participants were able to understand the hazards related to lifting operations, comprehend the importance of planning in lifting works, especially complex lifting, and understand the main component involved in lifting operations. Furthermore, they now understand the importance of preparing a proper site set-up and condition for lifting operations and that to set up a complete and comprehensive plan for lifting operations are equally crucial.

Courtesy Visit to See Minister of Works MALAYSIA

The discussion in session

Among MBAM Council Members attending the visit

As a part of our continuous effort to be the mediator between our Members and Government bodies, MBAM have organized our annual visit to the Minister of Works Malaysia, YBhg. Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof at his office on 3^rd September 2015. The meeting was attended by the following MBAM representatives:-

1. MBAM Immediate Past President, Mr Kwan Foh Kwai
2. MBAM Deputy President, Mr Foo Chek Lee
3. MBAM Vice President, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Sufri Haji Mohd Zin
4. MBAM Secretary-General, Mr Dennis Tan
5. MBAM Senior Manager, Mr Lenny Lim
6. and I as MBAM President.

Among the issues discussed include:

• The Minimum Wage for Indonesian Construction Workers;
• Business Concerns on the Implementation of GST;                  
• Permit under the 6P Programme Expiring End of 2015;
• Employment Insurance System;
• Update on Appeal to Reduce High Import Duties on Machineries;
• Update on Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act (CIPAA) and
• Attendance of Minister of Works, Malaysia for MBAM 61st Anniversary Dinner 2015

In conclusion, MBAM will continue to work with MOW and play our role to help transform the construction industry together.

MBAM Appreciation Night

Presenting the Special Mention Award to YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng

The MBAM Education Fund 2015 award and the MBAM 1^st Class Honour Reward recipients

On 4^th September 2015, Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) organized the MBAM Appreciation Night 2015 at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa to honor and recognized the MBAM long service members as well as provide scholarship to students under the MBAM Education Fund. There were about 120 guests attended the appreciation night which also rewarded the students under the MBAM Education Fund that have graduated with the 1^st class honour degree. The ceremony was graced by YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng, Group Managing Director of Bina Puri Holdings Bhd as the Guest of Honour.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the MBAM Special Mention Award to YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng for his continuous contributions to MBAM. YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk has generously provided financial sponsorship of RM100,000.00 in 1997 for the renovation of MBAM Building. The donation by YBhg. Tan Sri was timely as it was given when MBAM first started relocated to Desa Business Park on 1^st April 1997. Therefore, to acknowledge YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk’s contributions, MBAM has decided to name the MBAM Conference Room as “Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng Conference Room.” At the event, MBAM also awarded the MBAM Long Service Award to 20 recipients as an expression of gratitude for their services to the Association.

1^ST ASEAN CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT

Presenting the token of appreciation to YBhg. Dato’ Sri Ir. Dr. Judin Bin Abdul Karim

The large turnout at the Summit

Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM), in collaboration with the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) jointly organized the 1^st ASEAN Construction Summit 2015 (1^st ACS 2015) on 10^th and 11^th September 2015 at the Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, Putra World Trade Centre. The Summit was held in conjunction with the International Construction Week 2015 (ICW 2015) hosted by CIDB Malaysia. The theme of this year’s Summit was “Towards Building a Sustainable Future”. The Summit, which gathered more than 200 participants, provided an interactive platform that enabled key representatives from the Government, industry stakeholders, investors and regulators to constructively discuss and brainstorm issues with a view of providing the industry with practical solutions. The summit keynote was presented by the Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), YBhg. Dato’ Sri Ir. Dr Judin Bin Abdul Karim.

The eight papers presented during the two-day summit were as follows:-

Paper 1 – Built Environment

YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar. Hj Esa bin Hj Mohamed, President of International Union of Architects.

Paper 2 – Government’s Policy & Incentives for Green Technologies

YBhg Dato’ Dr Nadzri bin Yahaya, Deputy Secretary- General, Energy Sector, Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (MEGTW)

Paper 3 – Sustainability – Renewable Energy

Professor Ir. Dr Abd Halim Shamsuddin, Director, Centre for Renewable Energy, Universiti Tenaga Nasional

Paper 4 – Sustainability For Environment – Recycle of Construction Materials

Dr Ho Nyok Yong, Chief Operating Officer, Samwoh Corporation Pte Ltd

Paper 5 – Sustainable Materials – Ibuku Bamboo Architecture

Mr Effan Adhiwira, Principal/Idea Generator, EFF Studio and BambooNotion

Paper 6 – Zooming Into The Rapid Growth of Asian Urbanization – Creating Livable Communities

Mr Scott Dunn, Director of Development & Vice President, SEA, AECOM

Paper 7 – Breathing New Lives Into Old Spaces

Mr Michael Ong, Architect & Town Planner,BYG Group Sdn Bhd

Paper 8 – Green Engineering Technologies

Ir. Chen Thiam Leong, GBI Accreditation Panel Co-Chair

The summit was successfully held as it managed to gathered more than 300 participants.

MBAM Affiliate Members Dialogue

Group photo with the Affiliate Members

During the Press Conference

MBAM successfully organised the Affiliate Dialogue on 18^th September 2015 at Bahamas 1 and 2, Level 12, Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa. Affiliate Members present at the annual Dialogue were as follows:

1. Building Materials Distributors Association of Malaysia
2. Malaysian Mobile Crane Owners Association (1987)
3. Malaysia Quarries Association
4. Malaysian Interior Industry Partners Association
5. Persatuan Mesin Angkat & Kren Menara Malaysia
6. Persatuan Kontraktor India Malaysia
7. Sarawak Sibu Division Building & Civil Engineering Contractors Association
8. Selangor Federal Territory Builders Association
9. Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association
10. Sabah Builders Association
11. Port Dickson Builder Association

We are pleased that representation from the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) and Construction Labour Exchange Centre Berhad (CLAB) were present to update and share with us on the developments and growth of the construction industry, the implementation of the CIDB Act 520, the manpower and human resource issues and the Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP).

Among the issue that were brought to the attention at the Dialogue was the difficulties of getting building materials from overseas to Malaysia due to the main compliance and test requirements. In summary, MBAM hopes that through our continuous effort to organize this Dialogue, it will help our Members in overcoming the problems that they faced in the construction industry as well as help the Association in acting as a mediator between our Members and Government agencies.

A press conference was conducted after the Dialogue which was chaired by Mr Matthew Tee, MBAM President followed by a luncheon at the Resort Café.

61^st MBAM Anniversary Dinner

With the Guest of Honour, YB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof, Minister of Works Malaysia

The recipients of the MBAM Long Service Awards

We have successfully organised the MBAM 61^st Anniversary Dinner on 18^th September 2015 at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa. With the selected theme, “Empowering the Construction Industry with a Solid Foundation”, it reinforced MBAM’s commitment towards long-term sustainability. The anniversary dinner was graced by the attendance of Minister of Works, YB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof representing the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia/Minister of Home Affairs YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi as the Guest of Honour. About 1,800 guest attended the auspicious event which witnessed the presentation of two main awards, namely:

• MBAM Honorary Life President

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato’ Low Keng Huat

• MBAM Silver Award

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ng Kee Leen, MBAM Past President and Honorary Advisor

These awards were presented to outstanding industry leaders and individuals in recognition of exemplary leadership and merit on our contribution towards the development of the Association’s growth.

MBAM CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT (COCD) PROGRAMME FOR CONSTRUCTION TRADE SUPERVISOR (FOREMAN), 5^TH INTAKE INTERVIEW SESSION

During the interview session

Among the candidates for COCD programme

The Construction Occupational Competency Development (COCD) Programme for Construction Trade Supervisor (Foreman), 5^th intake interview session was conducted on 23^rd September 2015. A total of 16 participants from MBAM Member and non-Member companies were shortlisted for this programme. The six and half (6 ½)-day course will run from 29^th September 2015 till 8^th December 2015 at MBAM Training Centre.

The programme is fully funded by the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) with the primary objective to certify and register construction site personnel in particular site supervisor, site agent and site foreman. This initiative is in line with the amendments made to CIDB Act 520 in 2011 where CIDB Malaysia is committed to enhance the image and professionalism of the construction industry and continuous improvement in the competency of construction personnel through certification and registration.  

Participants will receive a Certificate of Competence upon completion of this programme.

MBAM 2-Day Seminar on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) and Hirarc in Penang

Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) Safety and Health Committee together with the Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association (PMBBMDA) and Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia Malaysia (CIDB) jointly organized the 2-day Seminar on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) and HIRARC in Construction Industry for safety personnel in the Construction Industry on 30^th September & 1^st October 2015 at the Sunway Hotel Seberang Jaya, Penang.

Supported by the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), the National Council for Occupational Safety & Health (NCOSH) and Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH). It was aimed at enhancing the standard of safety and health at construction work sites by creating awareness among the employers and construction personnel on the importance of practicing high standard of occupational safety management at construction sites. The seminar was officiated by Ir. Zailee Bin Dollah, Director of Department of Safety and Health (DOSH), Penang and was attended by approximately 80 participants. We hope that the 2-day seminar has provided more information for all company personnel on the best practice for occupational safety and health in project sites.

Matthew Tee

MBAM President