< PreviousVisits & Dialogues VD MATRADE’s e-Bizmatch 13 FEBRUARY 2025 A discussion meeting on e-Bizmatch was chaired by Jamaliah Jamaludin, Director of the Construction & Business Services Section, Export Promotion & Market Access Division, MATRADE. MBAM was represented by Deputy President Kenneth Liew and Alternate Council Member Ong Ka Thiam. The meeting aimed to gather feedback and input on e-Bizmatch, MATRADE’s initiative to arrange online business matching for Malaysian companies looking to export their products and services. MBAM representatives shared their past experiences and provided input to MATRADE officers to support the development of programmes promoting Malaysian contractors. Meeting with Penang Island Council on C&D Waste Management 13 FEBRUARY 2025 A meeting with the Penang Island Council on C&D waste management was held at KOMTAR. The session was chaired by YB H’ng Mooi Lye, EXCO for Local Government and Urban/Rural Planning, together with the Mayor of MBPP, Datuk Rajendran Anthony. Representing MBAM were Gamuda Berhad’s Sustainability General Manager Venu Mahendra, Environment Manager Muhamad Aizat Hariz Bin Jamaludin, and Project General Manager Phang Kuang Yeow. A key announcement during the meeting was the expected closure of the Jelutong landfill by August or September 2025. The site, which has been earmarked for mixed development, was awarded to PLB Engineering Bhd approximately four to five years ago. Participants were invited to share ideas for alternative waste management solutions. While Pulau Burung currently serves as an alternative site for C&D waste disposal, challenges remain in managing excavated waste. A solid waste transit centre has been established at Batu Maung, with additional planning underway to accommodate excavated materials. However, the state is now directing contractors to transport excavated waste to Ampang Jajar in Pematang Pauh on the mainland, raising concerns over high logistics and diesel costs. To curb illegal dumping, the state proposed implementing a Stop Work Order on offenders, including project owners. MBPP has installed GPS trackers on waste management lorries to monitor activities, along with AI cameras at landfill weighbridges to prevent unauthorised dumping. Currently, the Jelutong landfill handles about 650 tonnes of waste daily, 60% of which consists of C&D waste. 58 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Visits & Dialogues VD MBAM Study Visit— IJM IBS Factory at Bestari Jaya 25 FEBRUARY 2025 MBAM organised a study visit comprising 29 participants to the IJM IBS factory at Bestari Jaya to explore its advanced manufacturing facilities. This visit provided an in-depth look at how IJM IBS is revolutionising the construction industry with its SMART IBS system, which emphasises precision manufacturing, mass customisation, and sustainability. IJM IBS is a hub of innovation where technology drives the future of construction. The SMART IBS system showcases precision manufacturing and mass customisation, delivering high-quality precast concrete components efficiently and sustainably. During the visit, participants witnessed automated production lines, advanced robotic systems, and real-time monitoring that streamline processes, minimise waste, and accelerate project timelines. These state-of-the- art facilities highlight the innovation and sustainability efforts of IJM IBS, demonstrating how advanced manufacturing practices can offer smarter and faster solutions to meet modern industry demands. IJM IBS is at the forefront of modern construction, specialising in SMART IBS solutions that combine advanced technology with sustainable practices. The SMART IBS system integrates automation and robotics to enhance efficiency and quality through precision-engineered precast concrete components, along with real-time monitoring to ensure consistent quality and operational efficiency. By reducing material waste and promoting eco-friendly practices, IJM IBS is setting new industry standards by transforming traditional construction methods and delivering smarter, faster, and greener solutions. The visit provided insights into various aspects of SMART IBS, including prefabrication, automation and Industry 4.0 integration, mass customisation, sustainability, and speedy construction. These elements collectively contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the SMART IBS system. The study visit to the IJM IBS factory at Bestari Jaya was an enlightening experience, showcasing how advanced manufacturing practices are transforming the construction industry. IJM IBS’s commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in its state- of-the-art facilities and SMART IBS system, which offer smarter, faster, and greener solutions to meet the evolving needs of the construction industry. 59Visits & Dialogues VD Meeting with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department on Proposed Service Tax for Construction Works 25 FEBRUARY 2025 H.E. Lisualdo Gaspar, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to Malaysia, welcomed the courtesy visit led by MBAM President Oliver HC Wee. Both parties exchanged views and updates on the current construction landscape in their respective countries and explored potential opportunities. The Ambassador agreed to share information with MBAM to encourage Malaysian contractors to take up projects in Timor-Leste. Courtesy Visit to the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste 19 FEBRUARY 2025 untuk tujuan kediaman sahaja atau tempat tinggal bagi individu atau keluarga termasuk rumah teres, rumah pangsa, bangle, kondominium, atau sebarang jenis bangunan yang direka untuk kediaman tetap, serta kemudahan awam yang berhubung kait dengan bangunan kediaman tersebut, dan hendaklah bukan untuk tujuan komersial, tempat perniagaan, perindustrian atau pembangunan bercampur kediaman dan komersial. Any project classified under mixed development usage will not be granted service tax exemption. Both MBAM and REHDA recorded their objections to the proposed tax, citing increasing costs of doing business. However, the Chairperson clarified that the Customs Department is only the implementing agency, and the decision was made by the Government and Ministry of Finance. The Customs Department requested that the industry submit feedback by the following day. They were specifically seeking input on the definition of construction works, the definition of residential buildings including any objections to the non-exemption of mixed development projects, and any justifications for deferring the proposed implementation date. Held at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Putrajaya, the meeting was chaired by Deputy Director General of Customs (Customs/Indirect Tax), Almirulita Mohd Yusoff, and attended by Deputy Directors Zulkifli Abdul Karim and Zunaibi Mat Ali, along with Lau Thye Mun, Azrina Rusti, Tuan Syed Asbar, and Shah Mohamad. Also present were representatives from CIDB Malaysia, JKR, Ministry of Finance, REHDA, SHEDA, RISM, and Sime Darby Property Berhad. MBAM Executive Director, Loh Mei Ling attended the meeting. This marked the second engagement session with industry stakeholders since consultations began in October 2024. The meeting sought further feedback on the proposed expansion of the service tax scope in the construction sector. Currently, SST is only imposed on professional services, not on construction works. The proposed changes would extend SST to construction activities including building works, civil engineering, and M&E works, but exclude residential building construction. The proposed implementation date is 1 May 2025. Under Group L, main contractors providing construction services exceeding RM500,000 in value will be subject to 8% SST—except for residential building projects. Sub-contractors under these main contractors will receive a B2B exemption. Group relief will not be available for construction works. The definitions will follow those used by CIDB (as per Appendix 1): Ertinya jenis bangunan yang direka dan dibina yang syarat-syarat nyatanya di dalam geran hakmilik dinyatakan kegunaannya adalah 60 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Visits & Dialogues VD Refinement of Reference Documents Related to the Holistic Management of Construction Waste 26 FEBRUARY 2025 developers. There is currently no specific mandate to ensure that all construction projects properly manage their waste. Best practices— such as on-site waste segregation, the use of recycled materials, and circular economy approaches—have yet to be made mandatory within the industry. Furthermore, the absence of strict penalties allows some projects to neglect proper waste management without facing significant consequences. The engagement aimed to gather stakeholders’ perspectives on compliance and the future direction of construction waste management. It also sought to assess the need for developing industry standards related to holistic waste management in Malaysia, and to identify specific requirements for the reuse of construction waste. Throughout the session, stakeholders, local authorities, and industry representatives exchanged views on how to improve C&D waste management. Discussions focused on strategies to enhance compliance, enforce best practices, and implement stricter regulations to ensure more effective waste handling. The session concluded with a presentation by ECO Ideal Consulting Sdn Bhd, which summarised the insights gathered and proposed recommendations for refining reference documents. The engagement provided valuable perspectives on the challenges of C&D waste management and underscored the need for more structured and enforceable industry standards. Moving forward, stakeholder feedback should be incorporated to ensure a more effective and sustainable approach to construction waste management in Malaysia. An engagement session on the refinement of reference documents related to the holistic management of construction waste was held at Bangi Resort Hotel. Organised by the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM), the session brought together key stakeholders to discuss current challenges and the future direction of construction waste management. MBAM was represented by ESG Committee Member Clarisse Loh, Sam Au Choon Wai, and Executive Officer Nur Firzanah. The discussion highlighted several key issues in the current management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Participants noted that existing guidelines are voluntary, leading to inconsistent levels of compliance among contractors and 61 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Visits & Dialogues VD MBAM paid a courtesy visit to the Director of CIDB Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Ts Dr Gerald Sundaraj at the CIDB WP KL office. The visit was led by MBAM President, Oliver HC Wee, accompanied by Vice President, Eric Yong; Council Member and Chairman of the Safety & Health Committee, Alec Chong; Executive Director, Loh Mei Ling; Senior Manager, Chai Min Fung; and Assistant Manager, Shahilaatika Mohd Kasim. Datuk Gerald shared updates on CIDB KL’s recent activities involving contractor participation and welcomed further collaboration with MBAM members. He proposed quarterly dialogue sessions with MBAM members and the MBAM Safety Committee, joint promotion of the Construction Quality Management System (CQMS), encouraging more members to pursue Site Supervisor Certification, and the joint organisation of webinars focused on safety, technology, and project management. Courtesy Visit to Director of CIDB Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur 28 FEBRUARY 2025 Strategic Cooperation Proposal Between SWCorp and Contractors’ Associations 5 MARCH 2025 A strategic cooperation proposal meeting between SWCorp and contractors’ associations was held at SWCorp HQ in Cyberjaya. The session brought together the Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia (PKMM) and MBAM to address current challenges and explore potential areas of collaboration. MBAM was represented by ESG Committee members S. Ramesh and Evelyn Ong, along with General Manager Lee Siew Mei and Executive Officer Nur Firzanah. SWCorp also shared its plan to introduce a Construction Waste Management Competency Certification under Act 673, Sub-section 17(1). Further discussions with MBAM regarding the development of the training module will be scheduled. 62Visits & Dialogues VD Meeting with BMDAM on Supply Chain Outlook 6 MARCH 2025 Discussion on Proposed Imposition of Tax on Construction Work Services 6 MARCH 2025 CDMI Committee Meeting 1/2025 12 MARCH 2025 MBAM held a meeting with the Building Materials Distributors Association of Malaysia (BMDAM) on 6 March 2025 to discuss the outlook of the construction supply chain. In attendance were MBAM President, Oliver HC Wee; MBAM General Manager, Lenny Lim; BMDAM President, Lim Chun Heng; BMDAM Secretary-General, Thomas Tuan; and BMDAM Treasurer, Jean Wong. MBAM President Oliver HC Wee and MBAM General Manager Lenny Lim attended the discussion which was chaired by CIDB Chief Executive, Zainora Zainal. During the meeting, the president expressed objections to the proposed implementation, highlighting its poor timing given the industry’s ongoing cost challenges and the potential impact on existing contracts. CIDB requested that all feedback be submitted by 13 March 2025. The Construction Digital Maturity Index (CDMI) Committee Meeting 1/2025 was held at CIDB 520, The MET Corporate Tower, Kuala Lumpur. The meeting was chaired by Senior General Manager of CIDB Malaysia, Ts Rofizlan Ahmad. The CDMI is a framework developed to assess the level of digital adoption and integration within the construction industry. It offers a structured approach for evaluating how effectively construction organisations leverage digital technologies to enhance efficiency, productivity and overall project performance. CIDB Malaysia, MBAM and the National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) are jointly developing this index as part of an initiative to transform the Malaysian construction industry. The effort supports systematic and measurable digital adoption, aligned with the objectives of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and the Construction 4.0 Strategic Plan (2021–2025). The CDMI project is expected to become a key platform for advancing the sector and preparing it for a digitally driven future. CDMI Meeting chaired by Ts Rofizlan 63 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Visits & Dialogues VD The MBAM President at Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia’s (PAM) Education Fund meeting PAM Education Fund Meeting 17 MARCH 2025 A focus group discussion (FGD) was held as part of the ongoing feasibility study on implementing a minimum wage for graduates. MBAM was represented by HR Committee Member, Khairatul Akhmam, and Secretariat, Shirley Foo. The study is currently being conducted by the National Wages Consultative Council (MPGN), Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), TalentCorp and PE Research Consultant through surveys and stakeholder discussions. The objective of the FGD was to examine current labour trends, identify the issues and challenges associated with setting a minimum wage for graduates, assess the potential economic impact, and develop guidelines for graduate starting salaries. Statistics presented during the session indicated a decline in entry-level graduate salaries. Contributing factors include employers’ ability to pay, prevailing labour market conditions, and graduates’ education, experience and skill levels. However, MBAM noted that the construction industry continues to offer salaries above those reflected in the data. While MBAM supports the creation of guidelines for graduate starting salaries, it strongly objects to any proposal to mandate this through legislation or enforce it as a legal requirement. The discussion offered valuable insights into the job market and employer perspectives, which will help shape the final recommendations of the study. Focus Group— Feasibility Study of Minimum Wage for Graduates 12 MARCH 2025 The MBAM President Oliver HC Wee made a congratulatory visit to CIDB Chief Executive Zainora Zainal to congratulate her appointment as the Chief Executive. A highlight was the presentation of a unique souvenir in her likeness to mark the occassion. MBAM looks forward to the continued close working relationship it has with CIDB Malaysia. Courtesy Visit to CIDB 14 MARCH 2025 64 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Visits & Dialogues VD Meeting with SIRIM on ABMS 19 MARCH 2025 A meeting was held at SIRIM Academy in Shah Alam to discuss the upcoming collaborative programme between CIDB Malaysia, MBAM, and SIRIM Academy on the ISO 37001 Anti- Bribery Management System (ABMS) Fast Track Programme. MBAM was represented by Council Member and Chairman of the Contracts and Practices Committee, Ir Anthony Teoh, General Manager Lenny Lim, and other members of the MBAM Secretariat. The main agenda was to determine suitable dates for the programme, which is planned to be conducted in seven batches, in collaboration with representatives from SIRIM Academy. Keynote Speech by Mr Prabodh K Sheth of Cognitive Digital MBAM Roundtable— Transformative Sessions with G5 to G7 Contractors, “Building Your Future with Digital Construction Solutions” 20 MARCH 2025 Sheth of Cognitive Digital, with an additional presentation by Amos Yeoh of Yonyou Malaysia. Among the key topics discussed were digital maturity in construction— assessing the industry’s readiness for transformation and identifying strategies for improvement; integrated construction solutions—including the use of innovative technologies such as BIM, ERP, and AI-driven project management tools; and challenges and best practices in implementation, supported by successful case studies. The event featured engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities that encouraged collaboration between contractors and technology partners. Participants gained valuable knowledge on how digital solutions can be leveraged to improve productivity, cost control, and project delivery. The session concluded with a call to action for industry players to accelerate their digital adoption journey to ensure long-term growth and sustainability in Malaysia’s construction sector. The MBAM Roundtable: Transformative Sessions with G5 to G7 Contractors was held at Glocomp Systems (M) Sdn Bhd in Petaling Jaya. Jointly organised by the MBAM ICT-Automation-Robotic Committee, Cognitive Digital Sdn Bhd, and Yonyou Malaysia, the session brought together technology providers and contractors to discuss the evolving landscape of digital construction solutions. The session aimed to equip contractors with insights and tools to embrace digital transformation in the construction industry, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness. The keynote speech was delivered by Prabodh K 65 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Visits & Dialogues VD Advisory Committee Members Meeting for the CIDB Construction Law Report 2024 (Edition 2025) 27 MARCH 2025 The Advisory Committee Members Meeting for the CIDB Construction Law Report 2024 (Edition 2025) was held at CIDB Headquarters, The Met Corporate Towers. The meeting brought together advisory committee members comprising senior construction professionals, legal experts, and regulatory representatives to deliberate on updates and recommendations for the forthcoming edition of the report. MBAM was represented by its President, Oliver HC Wee. The session included in-depth discussions on recent legislative developments, regulatory challenges, case law updates, and practical issues faced by industry players. Feedback and insights gathered from the meeting will be incorporated into the final version of the report, scheduled for release later this year. Discussion— Proposed Amendments to PWD Contract Terms 17 MARCH 2025 MBAM Council Member and Chairman of the Contracts and Practices Committee, Ir Anthony Teoh, together with Committee Member, Karen Ng, attended the discussion session held at Armada Hotel. The session focused on proposed amendments to Public Works Department (PWD) contract terms aimed at enhancing construction sector productivity through greater adoption of the Industrialised Building System (IBS) method. Dialogue with PIFM 21 MARCH 2025 A dialogue with the Malaysia Facade Industry Association (PIFM) took place recently, with MBAM represented by President Oliver HC Wee, Deputy President Kenneth Liew, Secretary-General Datuk Astaman, and Deputy Secretary-General 2 Fong Tet Yoong. Representing PIFM was President Lee Han Koon, accompanied by other office bearers. 66 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135Follow Us 236, Jalan 2A, Kampung Baru Subang 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia +603 7847 2209 / 7847 2210 T : +603 7847 7869F : info@citatah.comE : www.citatah.comW : CITATAH AMS MARBLE SDN. BHD. (341236-M)Next >