President Message – January 2021
I would like thank MBAM members for your support in the recent MBAM election of Council Members and to the Council Members who nominated me during the election of MBAM office bearers recently.
I thank god the almighty for this opportunity to lead our association especially through these trying times. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a big spanner into our plans in 2020 and we would have to work hard and very closely with MBAM members, the Government and industry players to overcome challenges brought by the pandemic on an immediate level, and to grow MBAM further on an ultimate level.
As we move forward, I urge MBAM members to look into the challenges impacting growth of the Malaysian construction industry. We need to keep up with the latest local and global trends, as well as developments to maintain our competitive edge. The value and complexity of projects are also increasing and to compete in the international market, we need to grow at a greater scale to ensure that we have the resources, skills, and expertise to perform. In this aspect, human resource development for our members is of utmost importance.
The Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Extension of Operation) Order 2020 i.e. COVID Act has been extended another 3 months until 31 March 2021. However, MBAM hopes that the Government will have further improved amendments to the Act to offer more solid and permanent protection to construction industry players especially with regards to extension of time provision and cost sharing.
The construction industry is considered as 3D industry i.e. dirty, difficult and dangerous. Education plays a vital role in changing this perception. TVET is considered vital to re-energise the nation’s perception on the construction industry as these vocational technical skilled youth will be the future generation to help us move away from our dependency on foreign workers manpower. We will also enhance our focus on education and training and our relationship with the various universities, polytechnics, institutions of learning and related organisations.
Of course, the MBAM new council for December 2020 – June 2022 and myself have more comprehensive plans that we will share with members in the months to come including our efforts to engage the Government to quickly roll out the projects committed under Budget 2021 so do stay tuned.
Before I sign off, I wish to take this opportunity to wish all members a Happy New Year 2021! Stay Safe!
Tan Sri Haji Sufri Haji Mohd Zin PSM, SSAP, DPTJ
President, MBAM