< PreviousINTERVIEW Presented by the MBAM, the prestigous award celebrates individuals who have made a lasting and significant impact in advancing a culture of safety within the industry. As the former Chief Executive of CIDB, Datuk Ir Ahmad ’Asri spearheaded several national initiatives — including the Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP) — that have reshaped the industry’s approach to safety and health. (MBAM) Reflecting on your nearly four- decade-long career, especially during your tenure as Chief Executive of CIDB, what would you consider your most impactful initiative in improving safety and health standards in the Malaysian construction industry? (Datuk Asri) First of all, I would like to sincerely thank the Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) for nominating me for this prestigious award. It is an honour and a privilege that I deeply appreciate. Thank you to the MBAM Council for this recognition. Turning to your question on safety and health: when I assumed the role of Chief Executive of CIDB Malaysia on 21 March 2016, it coincided with the launch of the Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP), a national initiative aimed at transforming the Malaysian construction industry. For many years, we had spoken about the need to improve the industry, but the changes had not been significant enough. The CITP was our attempt to implement a structured, targeted transformation — with clear goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and a proper governance framework to monitor progress. Safety and health was one of the key pillars of the CITP, which ran from 2016 to 2020. From the outset, our goal was to instil a culture of safety and health throughout the construction industry — not something enforced through regulation alone, but a natural practice embraced by everyone. To achieve this, we took a holistic approach, looking at the entire ecosystem: regulations, standards, guidelines, training and accreditation, awareness and promotion, and of course, enforcement. One key initiative was the development of the Construction Industry Standard No. 10, better known as SHASSIC — the Safety and Health Assessment System in Construction. SHASSIC provides an assessment framework to rate construction projects on their safety and health performance, from one to five stars. This has been a game-changer. By making performance measurable and transparent, we encouraged companies to adopt best practices and raise safety standards at their worksites. Another major milestone was addressing the industry’s fatality rate. When we began the CITP in 2016, the rate was about 12 fatalities per 100,000 workers. It rose slightly to 14 in 2017 — perhaps due to initial adjustments — but subsequently dropped to 13, and then to 11 per 100,000 workers by 2019. I believe this positive trend reflects the stronger ecosystem we built, with more companies actively adopting better safety and health practices. Enforcement also played a key role, with CIDB conducting regular site inspections to ensure compliance. Beyond enforcement, we placed strong emphasis on materials safety — for example, ensuring scaffolding and other critical components met the required standards — as well as the competency of workers and supervisors. On that front, I am proud to highlight our achievements in training. Through partnerships with industry associations like MBAM, we trained approximately 4,200 Site Safety Supervisors (SSS), and about 100,000 construction workers, all with a strong focus on safety and health. We also conducted numerous roadshows and awareness campaigns to promote a Datuk Ir Ahmad ’Asri was recently honoured with the Golden Helmet Award at the MBAM Annual Safety & Health Conference 2025. MBAM Safety & Health Awards 2025 Interview with Datuk Ir Ahmad ’Asri MBAM Golden Helmet 2025 Recipient 38 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135INTERVIEW culture of safety across the industry. In summary, I believe the most impactful initiative during my tenure was the successful rollout of the CITP’s safety and health agenda — establishing an ecosystem that not only improved safety outcomes but laid the foundation for a lasting cultural shift in the industry. Safety culture is often said to begin at the top. How did you personally champion a safety-first mindset among industry players, from government- linked bodies to private contractors and workers on the ground? I completely agree that safety culture must start from the top. One of the key initiatives we championed — in close collaboration with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) — was the introduction of OSHCIM (Occupational Safety and Health in Construction Industry Management). When OSHCIM was being formulated, we brought in all key players from the construction industry, with DOSH leading the initiative and CIDB Malaysia playing an active role. We drew inspiration from the UK model, where the responsibility for safety and health is not placed solely on contractors or site safety officers, but is shared more broadly. Under OSHCIM, responsibility is distributed across three main parties: the client or project owner, the consultants or designers, and the contractors. This approach ensures that safety is embedded from the very start — beginning at the design phase. Projects are required to undergo risk management from the outset, ensuring that safety considerations are integrated into the design, planning, and execution stages. This process compels top management at all levels — clients, consultants, and contractors — to take ownership of safety and health. In my view, OSHCIM has been a game changer for the industry. It serves as a powerful guideline and regulatory framework to move us closer toward a genuine culture of safety in construction, where everyone, from the top down, understands and embraces their role in ensuring safe worksites. The MBAM Golden Helmet Award recognises long-term leadership in safety and health. In your view, what are the persistent challenges facing construction safety today, and what kind of leadership is needed to address them? In my opinion, one of the major persistent challenges in advancing safety and health is the perception that it adds unnecessary costs to a project. Many stakeholders — be they contractors, clients, or consultants — still view safety and health requirements as an expense rather than an investment. However, the real cost comes from neglecting safety. The consequences of workplace accidents — delays, legal liabilities, medical costs, lost time, and, most tragically, loss of life — are far greater than the costs of implementing proper safety measures from the outset. To address this mindset, what we need is leadership that promotes a level playing field. One practical way to achieve this is by embedding safety and health requirements directly into the contract — for example, by allocating it in the provisional sum of the project. This ensures that every bidder includes safety costs as part of their proposal, making it fair across the board and preventing cost- cutting at the expense of safety. Ultimately, it takes leadership with vision and commitment to see safety not as an optional add-on, but as a fundamental part of good project management and corporate responsibility. That is the kind of leadership the industry needs to overcome this ongoing challenge. During your leadership at CIDB, how did you align national safety strategies with global standards, such as ISO or OSHA, and what impact did these alignments have on project delivery and workforce wellbeing? Our approach from the beginning was to align with international standards, as these have been proven effective, particularly in developed countries. When we began promoting safety and health within the Malaysian construction industry, we strongly encouraged companies to comply with ISO 45001. Over time, we took further steps — not only adopting but also adapting these international standards to suit the local industry context. This led to the development of our own national standards, such as SHASSIC (Safety and Health Assessment System in Construction) and OSHCIM (Occupational Safety and Health in Construction Industry Management), among others. By aligning our national strategies with global best practices, we were able to drive improvements in both project delivery and workforce wellbeing. Projects delivered under these standards typically see better risk management, fewer accidents, and higher productivity, as workers operate in safer, more organised environments. In this way, the alignment with international standards has been a key factor in elevating safety culture and overall project outcomes in the Malaysian construction industry. As someone now in the private sector, how do you envision continuing your advocacy for safety and health, and what advice would you give to upcoming leaders in the construction field? Since retiring from public service, I have been appointed as an Independent Non- Executive Director on the boards of IJM Corporation and Hume Cement Industries Berhad. In this role, I have come to appreciate even more the responsibility that boards of directors carry in upholding safety and health standards within their organisations. It is the board’s duty to ensure that strong policies, strategies, and procedures are in place — and that they are fully implemented across the company. Through proper board oversight, we can drive management and staff to take the necessary measures to prioritise safety and health at all levels of operation. I also believe this is an encouraging development across the broader corporate landscape. Today, many public-listed companies are placing greater emphasis on safety and health, as corporate governance frameworks increasingly highlight the board’s accountability in this area. My advice to the next generation of leaders in the construction industry is this: embrace safety and health not as a compliance requirement, but as an essential part of your company’s culture and values. Lead by example, and understand that protecting the wellbeing of your workforce ultimately leads to more sustainable and successful businesses. 39 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135SPECIAL FEATURE MBAM’s New Home is Complete— A New Era for the Malaysian Construction Industry Begins Open courtyard at level 1 42 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135COVER FEATURE SPECIAL FEATURE After more than a decade of dedicated planning, perseverance and hard work—including the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic— the Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) has reached a historic milestone. The long-awaited MBAM building is now officially complete, ushering in a new chapter for the organisation and the broader Malaysian construction industry. The vision of establishing a dedicated facility to serve the needs of MBAM members was first conceived over ten years ago. Despite numerous hurdles along the way, including a global pandemic that disrupted the industry and economy alike, MBAM remained resolute in its mission. The result is a purpose-built, modern and welcoming headquarters that will serve as the central hub for MBAM’s activities in the years to come. To mark this significant occasion, MBAM hosted its first major event at the new premises—the 71 st Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on 25 June 2025. The AGM provided members with the opportunity to gather in person and experience the new facility first-hand. Moving forward, the majority of MBAM’s activities—including technical seminars, professional training programmes, industry talks, networking events and committee meetings—will take place at the new headquarters. With upgraded facilities and enhanced capacity, the building is poised to support continuous professional development, foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, and strengthen MBAM’s role as a leading voice for the Malaysian construction community. The realisation of this ambitious project from the purchase of the land to the completion of the building would not have been possible without the generous support of MBAM’s industry partners and sponsors, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the organisations and individuals whose contributions were instrumental in making the new building a reality. MBAM also recognises the many other individuals and organisations who have contributed over the years—each playing a valuable role in supporting this endeavour. These contributions reflect the collaborative spirit that defines the Malaysian construction industry and have been crucial to the realisation of this landmark achievement. The Association welcomes further support for its ongoing fundraising efforts through the MBAM Building Fund. Contributions from both individuals and companies are invited as MBAM continues to invest in infrastructure that will benefit the entire industry. More than just a physical structure, the new MBAM building stands as a symbol of resilience, unity and forward momentum. It represents a collective commitment to building a stronger, more connected and future-ready construction sector for Malaysia. MBAM looks forward to welcoming members and industry stakeholders to its new home—a platform for many more milestones ahead. Together, we build the future. Conference room President's room Training room Reception area A Big Thank You to All the Sponsors, From Contributions Towards the Purchase of the Land, to the Construction and Completion of the New MBAM Building 43 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135MBAM President Oliver HC Wee at the RTS project, taken in conjunction with the CIDB Board Meeting in Johor 16 JANUARY 2025 CIDB Board Meeting Industry & Practices IP MBAM Secretary General Datuk Astaman at the event 9 JANUARY & 6 MARCH 2025 Meetings—Technical Drafting Committee on Expert Determination (BICAM) 16 JANUARY 2025 Symposium MYCC 2025 The Competition Law Symposium 2025, titled ‘Behind Closed Doors: The Hidden Drivers of Market Distortion’, was held at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur. Organised by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC), the event addressed pressing issues such as bid rigging in public procurement, food price increases, merger control regimes, and the dominance of digital platforms in the marketplace. MyCC also presented its proposed amendments to the Competition Act 2010, which include stiffer penalties for violations and incentives for whistle-blowers. The symposium provided valuable insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring fair market practices across all sectors. MBAM was represented at the event by General Manager Lenny Lim. 19 FEBRUARY 2025 CIDB Workshop— Enhancing MCIEA Award Categories MBAM President Oliver HC Wee participated in the two online meetings 46 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Industry & Practices IP The first Technical Committee Meeting on Cement for 2025 was held at Jabatan Standard Malaysia, Menara Cyber Axis, Cyberjaya. The meeting focused on the review of three draft standards: 1. DMS EN 197-1:2024 – Cement Part 1: Composition, Specifications and Conformity Criteria for Common Cements (Second Revision) Amendments were made to the latest bagged cement marking (NA.3). 2. DMS EN 197-5:2024 – Cement Part 5: Portland-Composite Cement (CEM II/C-M) and Composite Cement (CEM VI) The hazard labelling on cement bags was revised from ‘irritant’ to ‘corrosive’ (NA.3). 14 JANUARY 2025 National Standard Committee on Cement (NSC 04/TC 25) 1/2025 Ir Hooi Wing Chuen from IEM chaired the meeting 3. DMS 2813 – Portland Phosphate Slag Cement: Composition, Specifications and Conformity Criteria Concerns were raised regarding the safety, health, environmental impact, and durability of concrete made with ground granulated phosphorus slag (YPS). The proposer, Cahya Mata Cement Sdn Bhd, was requested to present supporting research and testing data on the material’s safety and performance before the next meeting scheduled for mid-April 2025. The chairman instructed the JSM Secretariat to finalise drafts for DMS EN 197-1 and DMS EN 197-5 and circulate them to the technical committee for final feedback. MBAM was represented by Senior Manager, Muhammad Fadzley bin Salim. 21 JANUARY 2025 Technical Committee Meeting— Ceramic Materials and Sanitary Fittings (NSC 04/ TC 12) 1/2025 The Technical Committee Meeting on Ceramic Materials and Sanitary Fittings (NSC 04/TC 12) 1/2025 was held via Google Meet. MBAM was represented by Senior Manager Muhammad Fadzley bin Salim. Three main issues were discussed: 1. Draft of DMS 2578: Ceramic Wash Basins – Specification The technical committee reviewed and proposed amendments to the draft document. 2. Withdrawal with Replacement of MS 147:2001 – Specification for Quality of Vitreous China Sanitary Appliances (First Revision) As MS 147:2021 (Second Revision) has been published, the committee proposed a withdrawal with replacement to the main committee, NSC 04. 3. Withdrawal with Replacement of MS 1522:2015 – Vitreous China Water Closet Pans – Specification (Fourth Revision) Following the publication of MS 1522:2021 (Fifth Revision), the committee proposed a withdrawal with replacement to NSC 04. Additionally, the committee discussed a pending revision of MS 1402-1:2006 – Code of Practice for Sanitary System in Building – Part 1: Design (First Revision). It was agreed that representatives from the plumber association, IEM and PAM would be invited for further input on the draft. 47 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Next >