JULY 2022 PRESIDENT MESSAGE

MBAM NEW COUNCIL

Let me begin by expressing my deepest gratitude specially to Tan Sri Sufri Haji Mhd Zin, Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) Immediate Past President and the newly elected MBAM Council Members for the honour and privilege conferred to me on 25 June 2022. I am indeed humbled to be given this heavy responsibility as MBAM President. MBAM was founded 68 years ago thanks to the determination of its founding fathers that are dedicated towards promoting and developing the construction industry in Malaysia. The challenges in the construction industry is very different today from what it was over 6 decades ago.

My thanks also go to all the MBAM Past Presidents’ and MBAM Council Members whom without their contributions, sacrifices and leadership, we will not have the respect and success we have achieved as an association today.  There is a lot of work to be done so let us build a better future for MBAM and the Malaysian construction industry together.

GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP INTAKE OF FOREIGN WORKERS

MBAM urgently appeal to the Government to create a “Green Lane” to fast track entry of foreign workers to the construction industry. There are still unresolved issues between Malaysia and Bangladesh. For Bangladesh workers, even though both side Governments have signed the MOU but the application for Bangladesh workers are still not opened yet due to some unresolved issues to be resolved by the authorities.    As such we hope the Government can quickly intervene. There must be an effort to simplify the procedure for the recruitment of foreign workers.

EFFECTIVE 15 AUGUST 2022 HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (HRDC) WILL CHARGE A MICROCREDENTIAL FEE OF RM300.00 PER TRAINEE EXCEPT FOR TEAM BUILDING PROGRAMME.

On 15 June 2022, HRDC issued Employers’ Circular 2/2022 regarding the above new policy. This will definitely increase the cost of doing business. Implementation of this new policy will increase the cost of training. In fact, trainers can issue the certificate without this new policy. It is best to let employers take charge of their own training and certification needs. Therefore MBAM urges the Goverment to stop the implementation of this policy immediately.

Until our next write up, do continue to stay safe!

Oliver Wee Hiang Chyn _{AMN KMN}

President, Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM)