< Previous3 OCTOBER 2024 INTAN Minister’s Conversation The National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) and the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) held the INTAN Minister’s Conversation (IMC) on 3 October 2024 at INTAN’s Multipurpose Hall. This session featured Minister of Human Resources YB Steven Sim, who spoke on the theme “Social Dialogue: Engineering KESUMA through 3K Aspirations (Wellness, Skills, and Success).” MBAM Secretary-General and Human Resources Development (HRD) Committee Chairman Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz attended the event. YB Steven Sim highlighted KESUMA’s initiatives to enhance workforce skills, improve welfare, and ensure career success in both the public and private sectors. Key measures include: Legislation Reforms – Various legislative updates have been introduced to strengthen worker protection and industry regulations (see Figure 1). Department Mergers – Plans are in place to consolidate multiple labour- related departments to streamline operations. TalentCorp – Expatriate Pass approval time has been reduced from six months to three days. SOCSO & HRD Corp – Guarantee Letter issuance for hospital admissions has been reduced from three days to one hour, while grant and claim approvals have been shortened from one week to one day. Skills Development – The issuance time for the Malaysian Skills Certificate has been reduced from two months to two weeks, and skills training loan applications from 12 days to three days. The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to worker welfare, ensuring fair rights, protection, and career development opportunities while fostering a safer, more harmonious work environment. He also emphasised KESUMA’s role in shaping policies that build a competitive and resilient workforce. The session provided valuable insights for both civil servants and the private sector, strengthening awareness of government policies on human resource and workforce development. YB Steven Sim (centre) with Datuk Astaman and Tuan Ir Haji Mohd Hatta bin Zakaria —DOSH Director-General Industry & Practices IP Fig. 1 Legislative Reforms and Implementation Dates Legislations Akta Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (Pindaan) 2022 Akta Kesatuan Sekerja (Pindaan) 2024 Akta Perhubungan Perusahaan (Pindaan) 2020 Akta Keselamatan Social Pekerja 1969 Akta Sistem Insurans Pekerjaan 2017 Akta Ordinan Buruh Sabah (Pindaan) 2024 Akta Ordinan Buruh Sarawak (Pindaan) 2024 Akta Pekerja Gig Implementation Date 1 June 2024 15 September 2024 15 September 2024 1 October 2024 1 October 2024 17 July 2024 To be implemented this year To be implemented this year 28 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #134Industry & Practices IP Haji Jaafar bin Haji Leman DOSH Johor Director shaking hands with participants 15 OCTOBER 2024 Foreign Workers Seminar: Between Economic Contributions and Security Threats MBAM Human Resources Development Committee Member Mazlan Haron attended the Foreign Workers Seminar organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The seminar, officiated by the Secretary of the Immigration Affairs Division, YBrs Tuan Anuar Zaki bin Bakar, featured speakers from the Malaysia Immigration Department, Ministry of Economy, and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). Statistics from the Immigration Department indicate that Malaysia currently has 2.5 million foreign workers, with 698,407 in the construction industry as of 30 September 2024, making it the second- 14—15 OCTOBER 2024 MBAM 10 th Seminar in Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Johor & Workshop on Leadership in Construction Safety MBAM hosted the 10 th Seminar on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) and the Workshop on Leadership in Construction Safety at Holiday Villa Johor, bringing together 40 participants from the construction, engineering, and safety management sectors. The event aimed to raise awareness of workplace safety and the importance of strong leadership in high-risk industries. Guest of Honour, DOSH Johor Director Haji Jaafar bin Haji Leman, delivered the official opening address, stressing the need for continuous improvement in safety standards and highlighting the high number of incidents in the construction sector. MBAM Secretary-General Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz gave the opening speech, while Safety & Health Committee Chairman Alec Chong Sun largest sector employing foreign labour after manufacturing. Concerns raised included the high volume of remittance outflows and health risks such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and drug use among some foreign workers. The Ministry of Economy noted that while education levels among locals have improved, a significant proportion remain in semi-skilled or lower-skilled jobs, impacting wages, with most earning below RM5,000 per month. Labour shortages remain a key national challenge, as highlighted in the Global Risks Report 2024. Both the Ministry of Economy and PDRM acknowledged that foreign workers remain essential, particularly for unskilled roles, and urged employers to adopt automation to reduce long-term reliance on migrant labour. PDRM reported that crimes involving foreign workers primarily include violent offences such as robbery, extortion, and homicide, as well as property crimes like theft and burglary. Crime rates peaked during the COVID-19 period but have significantly declined in the past two years due to stricter policies, including quota freezes. While foreign workers contribute significantly to the economy, the seminar underscored the need for effective management to balance economic benefits with concerns over security, health, and social impact. Park delivered the opening remarks. The seminar covered key OSH regulations, emerging safety technologies, and best practices to enhance workplace safety. Alongside this, the leadership workshop, led by facilitator Zakhirin bin Abas, featured interactive exercises on decision- making, conflict resolution, leadership styles, and effective communication. Participants engaged in hands-on activities to strengthen their ability to lead teams and manage workplace challenges. The event successfully equipped attendees with practical leadership skills, insights into the latest OSH developments, and valuable networking opportunities. Key recommendations included ongoing OSH training, investment in safety-enhancing technologies, and continuous leadership development to improve industry safety and productivity. MBAM representatives in attendance included Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, Alec Chong Sun Park, Executive Director Loh Mei Ling, Senior Manager Chai Min Fung, Admin Officer Marsita binti Md Yusoff, and Assistant Manager Farah Alia. 29 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #134Industry & Practices IP The 43 rd IFAWPCA (International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Associations) Mid-Term Executive Board Meeting, hosted by the Taiwan General Contractors Association (TGCA), brought together industry leaders in Taipei, Taiwan. MBAM President Oliver HC Wee led a seven-member delegation representing Malaysia. Ahead of the meeting, IFAWPCA Past President Datuk Matthew Tee chaired the Finance Committee to review financial matters. During the board meeting, Oliver Wee was sworn in as an IFAWPCA Board Member for the 2024/2025 term. The board also endorsed financial accounts presented by Datuk Matthew Tee and reviewed updates from standing committees following the last convention in Kathmandu, Nepal. A key highlight was the update from the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd. (SCAL), which will host the 47 th IFAWPCA Convention from 7–11 April 2025 in Singapore. SCAL encouraged member participation and shared plans for conferences, exhibitions, networking sessions, and accompanying person programmes. TGCA hosted two networking sessions, strengthening industry connections. The Welcome Reception on 17 October featured Public Construction Commission Executive Yuan Minister Chen Chin-De and Taiwan External Trade Development Council Chairman James Huang as Guests of Honour. At the Gala Dinner on 18 October, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Dr Lin Chia-Lung emphasised the importance of trade and bilateral cooperation in driving economic growth, innovation, and global stability. MBAM delegates included Honorary Advisor & Past President Datuk Matthew Tee, IFAWPCA Legal Advisor John Tong, Vice President Dato’ Sri Eric Kuan, Secretary-General Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, members Aziz Bahaman and May Lim, and MBAM Secretariat representative Lee Siew Mei. 16—19 OCTOBER 2024 43 rd IFAWPCA Mid-Term Executive Board Meeting, Taipei, Taiwan Oliver Wee being sworn in as IFAWPCA Board Member by IFAWPCA President Kenneth Loo 30 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #134Industry & Practices IP 22 OCTOBER 2024 BINA IBS Conference The BINA IBS Conference featured expert speakers and discussions on cutting-edge topics, with forums and breakout sessions held at Novel Hall, MITEC. In his welcome remarks, Chief Executive Officer of CIDB IBS Sdn Bhd, Ir Ts Zuraihi Abdul Ghani, expressed gratitude to the sponsors and supporting organisations. This was followed by a keynote speech from Datuk Ar Ezumi Harzani Ismail, Director of Arkitek MAA Sdn Bhd, on ‘Harnessing IBS Technology for a Sustainable and Resilient Future.’ The conference included two dialogue sessions. The first, ‘Stakeholder Synergy: Fostering Technological Advancement,’ featured panelists Ar Noor Azizee Abdul Aziz, Director of Malek Hassan Architect; Teoh Pui Mun, Chief Executive Officer of Speedbrick Sdn Bhd; and Hang Tuah Amin Tajuddin, Acting Chief Investment Officer of PMB Investment. The session was moderated by CIDB Accreditation Division Senior Manager, Ts Shahreen Ghazali. The second session, ‘Next Gen IBS: Pioneering Innovative Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,’ included panelists Ir Chan Huan Ong, General Manager of IJM IBS Sdn Bhd; Ashraf Masri, Structural Engineer at Leviat Sdn Bhd; and Yusri Embong, Technical and Design Engineer at Henner Malaysia. MBAM Alternate Council Member and Technical & IBS Committee Member, Ts M. Shahrul Azri Mamat, moderated the session. Discussions addressed the slow adoption of IBS in Malaysia, often attributed to high initial costs and the need for substantial volumes to justify the use of IBS systems in construction. However, Ir Chan Huan Ong highlighted potential solutions, such as adopting an open system for IBS. The conference also saw the launch of the Strategic Ecosystem Vendor Development Plan (VDP) for the Construction Industry (IBS Cluster) by Secretary-General, Minisry of Works Malaysia, Datuk Seri Azman Ibrahim. MBAM was represented at the event by Chairman of the Technical & IBS Committee, Nalla Sundran, and committee member, Max Pang. Forum Session moderated by Ts M Shahrul Azri Mamat 23 OCTOBER 2024 International Construction Week (ICW) 2024 and Buildexpo 2024 MBAM representatives, including President Oliver HC Wee, Honorary Life President Dato’ Ng Kee Leen, Deputy President Kenneth Liew, Secretary-General Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, and many others, attended the opening ceremony of ICW 2024 and Buildexpo 2024. ICW 2024 marks the 24 th edition of the programme organised by CIDB since its inception in 1999, while BuildXpo is in its second year since launching in 2023. This year, an estimated 10,000 visitors attended the events under the theme ‘Envisioning the Future of Construction,’ which featured conferences, seminars, exhibitions, and business matching sessions. 31Industry & Practices IP 24 OCTOBER 2024 Conference on Conflict Avoidance & Dispute Resolutions Co-organised by the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) and MBAM in conjunction with International Construction Week (ICW) 2024, the conference aimed to equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and strategies for conflict avoidance and dispute resolution. The event was attended by 174 participants. MBAM President Oliver HC Wee delivered the speech on behalf of MBAM, while CIDB Chairman Ir Haji Yusuf bin Haji Abd Wahab spoke for CIDB. The highlight of the day was a keynote speech by Court of Appeal Judge YA Dato’ Lim Chong Fong, who presented his paper on ‘Rule of Law and Development of Construction Law in Malaysia.’ The conference also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MBAM and the Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (BICAM). BICAM Chairman Tan Sri David Wong signed for BICAM, while MBAM President Oliver HC Wee signed for MBAM, with YA Dato’ Lim Chong Fong and Ir Haji Yusuf bin Haji Abd Wahab witnessing the signing. The conference also included a presentation by Chan Keng Hoe, Partner at Kheng Hoe and Lee Yuen, Advocates and Solicitors, on “Adjudication of Construction Claims: Next Steps.” A panel discussion followed on “Issues in Construction Contracts,” featuring REHDA President Dato’ Ir Ho Hon Sang, MBAM Council Member Ir Anthony Teoh, HSKS Dispute Resolution Chambers Principal Ir Harbans Singh, and PAM Honorary Secretary-General Ar Anthony Lee Tee, moderated by CIDB Johor Director Sr Ahmad Farrin Mokhtar. Attendees were also briefed on the CIDB Standard Form of Contracts on Building Works by Karen Ng, Partner at Karen, Mok and Partners, and Dr Zul Zakiyuddin Ahmad Rashid, Senior Lecturer at the School of Housing, Building and Planning, USM. The final session featured a presentation on mediation by Ar Anthony Lee Tee, Group Chief Operating Officer and Transformation Officer of Bina Puri Holdings Berhad and Managing Director of Architect Centre Berhad, alongside Rodney Martin, CEO of the Rodney Martin Group. 22 OCTOBER 2024 Quest Awards Ceremony 2024 in Conjunction with International Construction Week (ICW) 2024 Organised by CIDB, the event at MITEC recognised industry players for their outstanding performance in CQMS, SCORE, SHASSIC, MyCREST, Sustainable INFRASTAR, and QLASSIC assessments. MBAM President Oliver HC Wee and Vice President Richard Wong attended the ceremony. 32 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #134Industry & Practices IP 24 OCTOBER 2024 14 th Conference on the Status & Outlook of the Malaysian Iron & Steel Industry 5 NOVEMBER 2024 Opening of the AFCM 26 th Technical Symposium & Exhibition 2024 MBAM Vice President Eric Yong represented MBAM as a panellist in the discussion on ‘Collaborative Pathways to a Sustainable Steel Future’ at the 14 th MISIF Conference on the Status & Outlook of the Malaysian Iron & Steel Industry. Held at M Resort & Hotel, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, the event was officiated by Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, YB Liew Chin Tong. Moderated by South East Asia Iron & Steel Institute (SEAISI) Secretary- General Yeoh Wee Jin, the panel explored strategies to revitalise the steel market, address industry challenges, and boost steel demand. Joining Eric Yong on the panel were SEAISI Chairman Dato’ Lim Hong Thye, FMM Chairman and President Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai, and Operational Excellence Advisor at the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Morita Yasumitsu. MBAM President Oliver HC Wee was interviewed by Nanyang Siang Pau in a phone interview on the adoption of solar renewable energy (RE) in Malaysia. The discussion covered key aspects of the industry’s transition towards sustainable energy solutions, including the benefits and challenges of solar adoption for the construction sector. During the discussion, Eric Yong highlighted the challenges contractors face due to steel price volatility and supply chain disruptions, which impact cost estimation and project timelines. He emphasised the need for collaboration between contractors and steel millers to stabilise pricing, including mechanisms for long-term contracts and price variation clauses in private construction agreements. He also called for greater government intervention through tax relief or subsidies on raw materials to ensure price stability. To enhance demand, he advocated for the increased use of steel in modular construction and pre-engineered buildings, as well as its role in government-led infrastructure projects. Additionally, he stressed the importance of recognising steel as a sustainable material due to its recyclability and urged industry players to invest in R&D for innovative steel solutions. The Cement & Concrete Association of Malaysia (C&CA) organised the AFCM 26 th Technical Symposium & Exhibition (AFCM TS&E) 2024, a triennial event rotated among ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM) member countries. The opening ceremony took place at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur with the theme ‘Beyond Grey: Decarbonising Cement.’ MBAM was represented by President Oliver HC Wee, Deputy President Kenneth Liew, Executive Director Loh Mei Ling, General Manager Lenny Lim, and Sales Manager Calvin Cheng. 1 NOVEMBER 2024 Media Interview with MBAM President 33 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #134Industry & Practices IP 5 NOVEMBER 2024 Seminar on OSH in Construction Industry 2024 & Sembang Santai with DOSH Malaysia (DOSH) Malaysia. The objectives of the seminar were to address current challenges in OSH within the construction industry, disseminate updated information on regulatory requirements, standards, and best practices, and foster collaboration and open dialogue between DOSH, construction practitioners, and stakeholders. Key presentations included ‘General Principles of Prevention’ by Ir Dr Mohamad Syamir Bin Senin, which covered preventive strategies to mitigate workplace hazards and emphasised the importance of a proactive safety culture. Ir Ts Dr Haji Mohd Fairuz Ab Rahman presented ‘OSHA (Construction Work) (Design and Management) 2024’, outlining the latest amendments The Seminar on OSH in Construction Industry 2024 and ‘Sembang Santai with DOSH Malaysia’ were held at Kolej Pendeta Za’ba, UPM Serdang. The event aimed to enhance occupational safety and health (OSH) awareness in the construction sector while providing a platform for interaction between industry stakeholders and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Kalaiselvan SelvarajaIr Dr Mohamad Syamir Bin SeninBahrudin bin MamatAlec Chong 34 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #134Industry & Practices IP to OSHA regulations and stressing the need for early integration of safety considerations in projects. PERKESO conducted ‘Ketahui Hak Pekerja Membuat Tuntutan’, informing workers about their rights to file claims under SOCSO, while Muhammad Faizul bin Mohamed Ahmad introduced an innovative framework in ‘Enhancing Contractor OSH Management through the Live, Learn, Work, Play Framework’, focusing on safety, continuous learning, and worker well-being. The final session, ‘Sembang Santai with DOSH Malaysia’, was moderated by Ramli bin Hassan, with panellists Deputy Director General of DOSH Malaysia, Bahrudin bin Mamat; MBAM representative, Kalaiselvan Selvaraja; and PAM representative, Ar Alvin Lim Hai Seah. The discussion addressed regulatory developments, compliance challenges, and strategies for fostering a culture of safety. MBAM attendees included Alec Chong Sun Park, Kalaiselvan Selvaraja, Wong, Hafizuddin, Tuan Haji Noryani, Ts Seri Bainun, Andy Lee, Loh Mei Ling, Chai Min Fung, Ali Abdul Rahim, Marsita binti Yusof, and Shahilaatika binti Mohd Kasim. The seminar successfully addressed critical OSH issues in the construction industry, equipping participants with updated knowledge and practical tools. The engaging panel discussion facilitated meaningful exchanges among stakeholders, underscoring the shared responsibility in enhancing workplace safety. 6 NOVEMBER 2024 Seminar on Revolutionising Construction: The Power of Precast Concrete This seminar was held at MBAM Training Centre, Kuala Lumpur. MBAM Council Member, Nalla Sundran, highlighted in his welcome remarks that the Industrialised Building System (IBS) is gaining popularity in Malaysia, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce reliance on foreign labour, and enhance construction quality. He expressed gratitude to Eastern Pretech (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and its Senior Manager of Marketing, Ir Lee Wei Thiam, for sharing their expertise and insights on precast construction. Ir Lee, a Professional Engineer (Civil) registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia, has 22 years of experience in the building industry, including 20 years in precast construction. He began his presentation by explaining Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), an engineering methodology that simplifies product design to facilitate manufacturing and assembly. He outlined the advantages of precast construction, including reduced on-site labour, minimised waste, and high-quality finishes. Eastern Pretech (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd produces a range of precast concrete products, including Prefabricated Bathroom Units (PBU). Ir Lee showcased the company’s permanent roofed factory in Beranang, Selangor, which features fully mechanised and automated facilities capable of handling large-scale production. He advised contractors interested in precast construction to consider a hybrid method on project sites. The session proved to be highly informative, and MBAM will be organising a study visit to Eastern Pretech’s factory next year. Welcome remarks by Nalla Sundran Participants at the seminar 35 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #13411 NOVEMBER 2024 Seminar on Budget 2025 & E-Invoicing Evolution Industry & Practices IP MBAM, in collaboration with Deloitte Malaysia, organised the Seminar on Budget 2025 & E-Invoicing Evolution at the MBAM Training Centre. A total of 50 participants, including one non-member, attended the event. MBAM Treasurer-General and Finance Committee Chairman, Ong Teng Cheng, delivered the opening remarks which provided an overview of Budget 2025. Yee Wing Peng from Deloitte presented an economic analysis covering global growth projections and the Federal Government’s budget allocation for key sectors, including infrastructure, housing, construction, environment, agriculture, tourism, transportation, education, digital, health, and defence. He also discussed the Federal Government’s revenue for 2024–2025, highlighting petroleum and non-petroleum-related income sources. Choy Mei Won then elaborated on Budget 2025 measures related to personal tax, corporate tax, tax incentives, and other tax policies, including real property gains tax, stamp duty, and indirect tax. Key highlights included the imposition of a 2% dividend tax on individuals and corporate tax incentives for e-invoicing implementation. In the second session, Choy provided statistics on successful e-invoice submissions since 1 August 2024 and an overview of Malaysia’s MyInvois system. She also outlined e-invoicing guidelines, available resources to assist taxpayers, and the six-month interim relaxation period granted to businesses to comply with e-invoicing requirements. Ong Teng Cheng with Yee Wing Peng and Choy Mei Won MBAM organised an online talk on the MACC Act 2009 and ISO 37001, featuring Alan Kiruparan, Partner at OAKS Consultancy, as the speaker. MBAM Contracts and Practices Committee Chairman, Ir Anthony Teoh, delivered the welcome remarks. A total of 76 participants attended the session. The talk addressed the growing importance of transparency and ethical business practices in Malaysia. With the MACC Act 2009 reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy on bribery and corruption, businesses must take a proactive approach in embedding integrity within their organisations. Compliance is not just about regulatory adherence but also about safeguarding corporate reputation and trust. 13 NOVEMBER 2024 Talk on MACC Act 2009 and ISO 37001: Get Yourself Ready for ISO 37001 36Industry & Practices IP 25 NOVEMBER 2024 MARVEX Gear Up MARVEX Gear Up took place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and was attended by MBAM President Oliver HC Wee and General Manager, Lenny Lim. The event showcased the latest advancements in air-conditioning, refrigeration, and ventilation systems, with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainable solutions. The Malaysia Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) hosted the Malaysian Construction Industry Excellence Awards (MCIEA) 2024 at M Resort Hotel Kuala Lumpur to celebrate outstanding achievements in the construction industry. MBAM President Oliver HC Wee, Vice President Richard Wong, Secretary-General Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, Treasurer-General Ong Teng Cheng, and Council Member Ir Anthony Teoh, were among the attendees. MCIEA, held annually for over 20 years, was postponed from 2020 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards recognise excellence in innovation, quality, and sustainability within the Malaysian construction sector. MBAM congratulates WCT Berhad for winning the International Achievement Award, IJM Construction and Sunway Construction for receiving the Best Building Project Award, and MMC Gamuda for securing the Best Infrastructure Project Award. 18 NOVEMBER 2024 MCIEA Awards 2024 Oliver HC Wee (centre) with other attendees at the eventMinister of Works YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi presenting the award to Ir Anthony Teoh of WCT Berhad 37Next >