< Previous28 Issue #128 Volume 2 2023 16 Updates from the President 20 MBAM’s New Office and Training Centre—Groundbreaking Ceremony 24 Remembering the Past, Strengthening the Future 28 69 th MBAM Annual General Meeting 30 The 3 rd China Changsha International Construction Equipment Exhibition 31 Session—MIID PAM Interior Design Work Contract 2023 China (Guangdong-Yunfu) Malaysia Economic and Trade Matchmaking Conference 32 21 st Edition—MBAM Annual Safety And Health Conference 2023 34 The 14 th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) 36 42 nd IFAWPCA Mid-Term Executive Board Meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 38 AIAC CIPAA Conference 2023 40 Technical Working Group on Paying Taxes (TWGPT) Meeting 1/2023 Meeting—The Edge Communication team on the Construction Industry Awards 41 Visit by Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) Courtesy Visit and Dialogue with the Construction Industry Association of Xiang’an District in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China Sabah Construction and Machinery Expo and Dialogue with SBA 42 Technical Visit—Merdeka 118 Tower and Precinct 43 Visit by AMRO MIER Industry Dialogue—Improving Investment Facilitation Visit to MBAM by Southern Steel Representatives 44 Visit and Dialogue between UMCA and MBAM Meeting—Allied Environmental Consultants (AEC) Sdn Bhd MBAM Focus Group Dialogue 1/2023 Visits & Dialogues Cover Features Industry & Practices 16203048 46 58 th —60 th Intakes and 3 rd Intake (Penang) Lifting Supervisor Training 47 Study Visit—Proposed Jetty Extension of Sapangar Bay Oil Terminal 48 The 9 th MBAM Seminar on OSH & Workshop 49 MBAM Fellowship 2/2023 MPC Raya Open House MGA 48th Anniversary Dinner REHDA Hari Raya Open House 2023 50 Plus 3 Consultants Sdn Bhd 30th Anniversary Reception MBAM Hari Raya Open House 51 Zoomlion Malaysia’s Grand Opening 52 FMHMBA 30th Anniversary Dinner PAJPBM 31st Anniversary Luncheon and Exhibition Fair 77th Anniversary of the Republic of Italy 53 Inbrief 54 HR Quick Guide to Generative AI 58 Malaysian Construction Industry—Job Market and Salary Trends 2023 60 Testing of Iron and Steel Products at CREAM 64 Matrade’s Insight—UPDATE: Morocco’s Investment in Road Networks 10 Editor’s Note 66 MBAM In the News 12 MBAM Council Members 68 MBJ Advertising Rates 13 MBAM New Members 70 MBJ Readership Survey 14 From the Desk of MBAM President 71 MBAM Membership Application Form Professional Development Features Regular Sections Community & Social Events CS Contents 47503210 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #128 Master Builders Journal Call for Articles Article contributions on topics relevant to the construction industry are highly encouraged. Contact ed@mbam.org.my for more information on requirements or to submit your article proposals for publishing consideration. is published quarterly by the Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) No. 2, Jalan 2/109E, Desa Business Park, 58100 Kuala Lumpur. MBJ Editorial Board PRESIDENT Oliver HC Wee, KMN, AMN EDITOR & COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Ong Teng Cheng COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRPERSON Tan Zi Ni COMMITTEE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Ir Au Yong Yoke Lin EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Loh Mei Ling GENERAL MANAGER Lenny Lim Len Wei SENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER Mohd Hanif Ismail PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVE Farah Alia Binti Zaizakrani Publishing Agency Editorial & Design: Alex Choo, Candice Cherng and Shalini Mahendran of Memo Publishing www.memopublishing.com Printer Vivar Printing Sdn Bhd Lot 25 & 27, Rawang Integrated Industrial Park, Jalan Batu Arang, Rawang, 48000 Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Publication Disclaimer The publication has been compiled by Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) with great care and we disclaim any duty to investigate any product, process, service, design and the like, which may be described in this publication. The appearance of any information in this publication does not necessarily constitute endorsement by MBAM. There is no guarantee that the information in this publication is free from errors. MBAM does not necessarily agree with statements or opinions expressed in this publication. Copyright Master Builders Journal is the official journal of and published four issues yearly by Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM), and distributed by Central Paper Agencies Sdn Bhd. The Publisher retains the copyright over all materials published in the magazine. No part of this magazine may be reproduced and transmitted in any form or stored in any retrieval system of any nature without the prior written permission from the publisher. Editor’s Note Greetings from the Editor’s desk! The Malaysian construction industry is still facing tough challenges, even after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. The global economic headwind has impacted almost everyone, and Malaysia is no exception. The weak Ringgit has its pros and cons, but for the Malaysian construction industry, it does contribute to the rise in the cost of doing business. The Editorial Board for Master Builders Journal (MBJ) continues to strive to provide our dear readers with reports on the activities of the Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM), as well as feature stories on relevant topics and contributed articles on technical, legal, and other thought-provoking topics related to the construction industry. For issue 128 of MBJ, we will be featuring an interview with our President, Oliver HC Wee, on the way forward for MBAM, his achievements so far, his message for the Malaysian construction industry, the top items in his wish list for the Government of Malaysia, and goals that he is still pursuing for the benefit of MBAM members. We will also take the readers on a tour of the ground-breaking ceremony for our new MBAM Training Centre, a significant milestone in our 69 years of existence. Apart from the usual reports on the Association activities, we are also carrying a number of contributed articles on interesting topics such as “Testing of Iron and Steel Products at CREAM” by Rohani Mokhtar, Syaza Nabilla Mohd Suhaimi, and Mohmad Fazli Halim from CREAM; “UPDATE—Morocco’s Investment in Road Networks” from the MATRADE office in Morocco; “HR Quick Guide to Generative AI” by Mercer; and “Malaysian Construction Industry: Job Market and Salary Trends 2023” by Randstad Malaysia. We are honoured to have the continuous support of our advertisers and contributors, and we welcome new advertisers and contributors to support us for our future issues. Those interested can contact our General Manager, Lenny Lim, at mbam01@shpmedia.com or call in at +603-7984 8636. Thank you, and until we meet again! Yours sincerely, Ong Teng Cheng Editor, Master Builders JournalTHE TIME FOR COMPROMISE IS OVER HOW THE NURON CORDLESS PLATFORM CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS Hilti (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. 198601008528 (157721-A) Level 8, Brunsfield Tower 3, No. 2, Jalan PJU 1A/7A Oasis Square, Oasis Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia T 1800-88-0985 | F 03 7848 7399 | www.hilti.com.my Learn more about Nuron SCAN HERE For all your light to heavy-duty jobs, NURON’s one cordless platform delivers the reliability and performance of corded tools, with the flexibility of cordless. Visit the Nuron page today to see how you can drive more performance and efficiency to all your jobsites. 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Performance More power than corded or gas Sustainability Reduce/ Recycling / Reuse Data Driven Services Data insights to drive productivity Health & Safety Mitigating hazards on jobsites ALL-NEW CORDLESS PLATFORM12 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #128 Welcome to MBAM DIRECTORY ONLINE Reach out to potential clients and create awareness for your brand! www.mbamdirectory.com MBAM Council Members June 2022 – June 2024 President Oliver HC Wee, KMN, AMN / Tim Sekata Sdn Bhd Immediate Past President Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Sufri Haji Mhd Zin, PSM, SSAP, DPTJ / Trans Resources Corporation Sdn Bhd Deputy President Kenneth Liew Kiam Woon / LFE Engineering Sdn Bhd Vice Presidents Ong Teng Cheng / IJM Corporation Berhad Dato’ Ubull Din Om, DIMP / Gamuda Berhad Richard Wong Kwan Song / Sunway Construction Sdn Bhd Eric Yong Shang Ming / Crest Builder Sdn Bhd Dato’ Sri Eric Kuan Khian Leng, SSAP / Fajarbaru Builder Sdn Bhd Secretary-General Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, DMSM / Norwest Holdings Sdn Bhd Treasurer-General Yeoh Keong Yuan / Syarikat Pembenaan Yeoh Tiong Lay Sdn Bhd Deputy Secretary-General 1 Tan Zi Ni / Trans Elite Group Sdn Bhd Deputy Secretary-General 2 Fong Tet Yoong / Rooframes Resources Sdn Bhd Council Members Al-Ambia Sdn Bhd / Tang Juang Yew Aneka Jaringan Sdn Bhd / Pang Tse Fui Bauer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd / Ir Au Yong Yoke Lin Bina Puri Sdn Bhd / Png Choon Yam Chong Lek Engineering Works Sdn Bhd / Ivan Chong Fu Seong MMC Corporation Berhad / Shafidz Iswandi Bin Azhar Mudajaya Corporation Berhad / Ang Keng Hong Pertama Crane & Engineering Sdn Bhd / Alec Chong Sun Park Satujaya Sdn Bhd / Michael Yap Kok Wai Setia Precast Sdn Bhd / Lee Chee Wai Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd / Liew Thiam Huat Sugu Construction Sdn Bhd / Dato’ Sri Sukumar Subrayalu, SSAP TCS Construction Sdn Bhd / Dato’ Ir Tee Chai Seng VSL Engineers (M) Sdn Bhd / Nalla Sundran WCT Berhad / Ong Ka Thiam, AMN Glocomp Systems (M) Sdn Bhd / Alex Liew Yoon Kit V-Cool Engineering (KL) Sdn Bhd / Dato’ Lim Chee Tong Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pembina Malaysia (UMCA) / Sinn Fuh Ming Sabah Builders Association / Choo Wei Tak The Chartered Institute of Building Malaysia (CIOB) / Ts Ho Chee Leong Honorary Members HONORARY LIFE PRESIDENTS Datuk Lai Foot Kong, PJN, JSM Lai Moo Chan, JMN, KMN HONORARY BUILDERS Lau Mun Cheong, JMN, KMN Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng, PSM, PGDK, ASDK, JP Dato’ Ir Tan Kia Loke, DSNS, JMN, AMN, AMT, PJK HONORARY ADVISORS Dato’ Ng Kee Leen, DIMP, KMN Datuk Matthew Tee Kai Woon, DPSM Foo Chek Lee, JMW HONORARY ADVISOR (LEGAL) John Tong, AMN HONORARY ADVISOR (EDUCATION) Chua Siow Leng, KMN HONORARY ADVISOR (TAXATION) Yee Wing Peng Affiliate Members 1. American Concrete Institute Malaysia Chapter 2. Building Materials Distributors Association Of Malaysia 3. Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pembina Malaysia 4. Institut Binabangunan Berkanun Malaysia (The Chartered Institute Of Building Malaysia) (CIOB) 5. Kelab Sosial Lighthouse Kuala Lumpur (The Lighthouse Club Kuala Lumpur) 6. Malacca Builders Association 7. Malaysia Glass Association 8. Malaysia Mobile Crane Owners Association (1987) 9. Malaysia Quarries Association 10. Malaysian Occupational Scaffolding Association (MOSA) 11. Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association 12. National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association Of Malaysia 13. Penang Master Builders 14. Perak Contractors Association 15. Perak Plumber’s Association 16. Persatuan Ampunya Jentera Pembinaan Berat Malaysia 17. Persatuan Industri Fasad Malaysia 18. Persatuan Industri Komputer Dan Multimedia Malaysia (PIKOM) 19. Persatuan Kilang Batu-Bata Malaysia 20. Persatuan Kontraktor India Malaysia 21. Persatuan Mesin Angkat & Kren Menara Malaysia 22. Persatuan Pembina Johor (The Johore Master Builders Association) 23. Persatuan Pembinaan Kelantan (Kin Cho Hong) 24. Persatuan Pembinaan Terengganu (Kin Cho Hong Builders’ Guild Terengganu) 25. Persatuan Pemborong-Pemborong Dan Pembekal-Pembekal Barang-Barang Bangunan Kedah 26. Persatuan Rakan-Industri Rekabentuk Dalaman Malaysia (Malaysian Interior Industry Partners) (MIIP) 27. Persatuan Tinsmith Wilayah Persekutuan Dan Selangor (Federal Territory And Selangor Tinsmith Association) 28. Persatuan Tukang Paip Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor 29. Port Dickson Builders’ Association 30. Sabah Builders Association 31. Safety Glass Processors Association of Malaysia (SGPAM) 32. Sarawak Master Builders Federation (SMBF) 33. Sarawak Sibu Division Building & Civil Engineering Contractors Association 34. Segamat Builders Association (1973) 35. Selangor And Federal Territory Builders Association 36. Selangor And Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur Kin Cho Hong 37. The Electrical And Electronics Association Of Malaysia (TEEAM) 38. The Malaysian Lift And Escalator Association (MALEA)Welcome to MBAM DIRECTORY ONLINE Reach out to potential clients and create awareness for your brand! www.mbamdirectory.com Ordinary Members 1. Bintang Networks (M) Sdn Bhd 2. Global Valley Construction Sdn Bhd Associate Members 1. Agrow Corporation Sdn Bhd 2. SC Engineering Packing & Machinery Moving Solution Sdn Bhd MBAM New Members About MBAM The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) plays an important role in the development and advancement of the construction industry. For the past few decades, we have represented Malaysia’s construction industry as its voice during various key phases. Dedicated towards promoting and developing the construction industry in Malaysia, MBAM has evolved into a cohesive umbrella organisation. We have earned international recognition through our affiliations with the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Associations (IFAWPCA) and the ASEAN Constructors Federation (ACF). We have also successfully hosted the 20 th , 29 th and 44 th IFAWPCA Conventions in 1983, 1998 and 2018 respectively. Through the memberships in IFAWPCA and ACF, the MBAM members are part of the international construction fraternity. MBAM is also a member of The Building Industry Presidents’ Council (BIPC), where members comprise of Presidents from Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM), Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA), Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) and Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM). The formation of BIPC is a quantum leap in terms of cooperation among the industry players in the country to look into the interest of the construction industry from a wide spectrum of trades. MBAM members are also from entities that are directly and indirectly linked to the construction industry. This includes specialist sub-contractors, building material suppliers, manufacturers and trading companies. With both local and international presence, MBAM is well poised to effectively represent the Malaysian construction industry as a single, unifying voice to the relevant government authorities as well as various organisations and bodies. New Members as at 8 th June 202314 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #128 From the Desk of Oliver HC Wee MBAM President Change is in the air with the new Occupational Safety and Health Act Contractors have historically been held accountable for fatal accidents and other serious injuries that occur on the job and have been significantly penalised by the government for failing to provide proper safety measures. Any significant accident frequently results in a two-week suspension of operations pending an investigation. This directive generally entails that contractors must cover the expenses incurred during the stop-work period and acknowledge that the stop-work will inevitably delay the completion of their projects. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (Amendment) 2022 will soon be enforced once the one-year grace period has passed. Contractors have historically suffered as a result, but change is in the air. MBAM welcomes the amended Act that holds every stakeholder, including developers, architects, consultants, and their staff, accountable and liable to be charged for occupational accidents. For far too long, we have been subject to the same work safety culture. The current practise is incorrect; ideally, contractors and consultants should collaborate to ensure safety and prevent accidents. MBAM proposes that developers allocate a provisional budget for safety requirements at the tender stage so that all bidding contractors have an equal footing. This provision will ensure that no contractor secures a contract by bidding lower and compromising on safety compliance, thereby jeopardising the risk factor. The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has established strict penalties for violators, including fines of up to RM500,000 and imprisonment of up to two years, or both. The new Act stipulates that every person who, at the time of an OSHA violation, holds a position such as director, manager, secretary, or other officer of equivalent authority in the corporation may be jointly charged in the same proceedings as the errant company. One positive aspect of the new guidelines that MBAM is pleased with is the government’s concern for empowering employees to prioritise their own health and safety, providing them with a voice to speak up about safety and health issues in the workplace. The Act allows employees to proactively safeguard their safety and health, and they have the statutory right to remove themselves from the workplace if there is imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. MBAM’s 70 th Anniversary As we approach our 70th anniversary, I am excited to celebrate this milestone with all of you. MBAM has come a long way, and I am proud of the work that we have done together. I am confident that we will continue to make a difference in the lives of our members and the community. As your President, I am committed to ensuring that MBAM remains a strong and vibrant organisation. I believe that we can achieve this by working together and staying focused on our mission. I ask for your continued support as we celebrate our 70th anniversary and look to the future. I believe that by working together, we can make MBAM even stronger and more successful in the years to come. Thank you for your commitment to MBAM. Yours sincerely, Oliver HC Wee KMN, AMN MBAM President “ ” MBAM proposes that developers allocate a provisional budget for safety requirements at the tender stage so that all bidding contractors have an equal footingDelivering Excellence, Embracing Sustainability SUNWAY CONSTRUCTION GROUP BERHAD (201401032422 (1108506-W)) A member of Sunway Group Level 8, Menara Sunway, Jalan Lagoon Timur, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. W www.sunwayconstruction.com.my E enquirysuncon@sunway.com.my T 603 5639 9696 | F 603 5639 9601 Sustainable Energy ServicesVirtual Design & Construction Building Construction ServicesCivil & Infrastructure ServicesFoundation & Geotechnical Engineering Services Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing ServicesManufacturing & Sale of Precast Concrete ProductsUpdates from the President COVER FEATURE programmes, workshops, and collaborations with educational institutions in various disciplines such as human resources, safety and health, contract administration, and other areas such as digitalisation and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). It is crucial to keep pace with technological advancements and promote continuous learning to ensure our members remain competitive in the evolving construction landscape. 3) Collaboration and Networking MBAM has fostered and will continue to foster closer collaboration with other industry associations, both locally and internationally, to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore business opportunities. This will help strengthen the construction ecosystem and create a conducive environment for growth and innovation. 4) Sustainable Development MBAM should further encourage sustainable construction practices, ESG compliance, the adoption of green building standards, energy- efficient designs, and construction Q: As the President, in your opinion, what is the way forward for MBAM? A: The way forward for MBAM would involve several key aspects: 1) Advocacy and Policy Influence MBAM should continue to actively engage with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to influence policies, regulations, and standards that affect the construction industry. This includes advocating for fair and transparent procurement practices, addressing labour challenges, promoting a culture of transformation in sustainable construction practices, digitalisation, safety initiatives, and construction technology-driven initiatives. More importantly, there is a need to drive a more collaborative form of contract, which is key to supporting the necessary transformation and sustaining the construction industry. 2) Upskilling Career Development MBAM will continue to focus on enhancing the skills and capabilities of its members through training waste treatment and waste reduction measures. Emphasising sustainability will not only benefit the environment but also enhance the industry's long- term viability and resilience. Q: You have been president for the term. What are your achievements during this term? What is your legacy for MBAM and its members? A: During my term as President, MBAM as an organisation has achieved the following: 1) Strengthened Industry Representation I have worked towards enhancing MBAM's reputation as a trusted voice for the construction industry. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, we successfully amplified the concerns and interests of our members at various forums, including government consultations and industry dialogues. In fact, I was appointed in March 2023 as part of a Panel of Experts under the Local Government Development Ministry to participate in formulating programmes As MBAM celebrates its 69 th Anniversary, Master Builders Journal sat down with President Oliver HC Wee to find out his vision for MBAM moving forward, the current issues facing the construction industry, as well as his thoughts on his presidency thus far. 16 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #128COVER FEATURE Next >