A round up of events and happenings within the industry

CIDB Malaysia allocates RM70 million to help construction industry players affected by MCO

The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia has allocated RM70 million to implement several strategic programmes aimed at enhancing the capabilities and capacity of construction industry players affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO).

Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the allocation is aligned with Malaysia’s policy to increase the use of technology, reduce reliability on foreign workers and create local jobs.

The programmes are scheduled to be implemented this year, and are aimed at training a total of 30,000 industry players consisting of contractors, construction workers and youths in the areas of building skills, supervision and management as well as the adoption of technology in construction.

“It is estimated that a total of 17,700 local workers and youths will be able to benefit from training programmes in the form of “Skilling, Reskilling, Upskilling”, where accreditation will be provided. In addition, CIDB Malaysia will provide apprenticeship programmes, offering placement opportunities for 7,800 local youths at construction companies to obtain training and working experience,” said Datuk Seri Fadillah in a statement.

“A total of 3,700 construction personnel and local youths will also be trained in the field of project supervision and management, while another 400 will be trained in the field of construction site security,” he added.

Datuk Seri Fadillah also highlighted that in addition to these efforts, CIBD Malaysia will launch several initiatives to enhance the use of technology among contractors. It plans to develop local manufacturers with industrialised building system (IBS) capabilities and facilitate local contractors in switching from conventional systems to the IBS. CIDB Malaysia will also provide subsidies to industry players to purchase Building Information Modelling (BIM) software.

“CIDB Malaysia has also developed mobile applications named Contractor4U to facilitate homeowners to search and obtain services from local small contractors. Registration for the

Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

application is open to all contractors, especially from the G1 and G3 contractors. So far a total of 4,500 contractors have been registered in the application,” he added.

These initiatives are in addition to the CIDB Caring Package worth RM9 million, which was announced on 7 May 2020 during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

From left: Ms Gladys Goh (Group General Manager of Nippon Paint Malaysia Group), Mr Yaw Seng Heng (Group Managing Director of Nippon Paint Malaysia) and Mr Chen Lee Siong (General Manager of Group Trade User Business, Nippon Paint Malaysia).

Nippon Paint expands home improvement segment, now houses Selleys in Malaysia

Malaysia’s No 1 coating solutions provider, Nippon Paint Malaysia has announced the completion of its business integration with Selleys, a leading brand that has pioneered the home improvement category for over 80 years originating from Australia.

This integration will strengthen Nippon Paint’s home improvement and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) segment across four key categories – including sealants, adhesives, fillers and lubricants – and subsequently, further enhances its leadership position as a market leader beyond the coatings industry, offering consumers with complete end-to-end solutions under one roof. Last year, Nippon Paint Holdings Co Ltd acquired DuluxGroup Limited (‘DGL’), the latter which owns the Selleys business, leading to the integration of businesses between Nippon Paint Malaysia and Selleys.

Mr Chen Lee Siong, General Manager of Group Trade User Business at Nippon Paint Malaysia said, “Our recent integration exercise with Selleys forms part of our overall growth strategy for the second half of 2020. This strategic integration paves way for both Nippon Paint and Selleys to further grow within the Malaysian market - creating an accessible and convenient shopping experience for consumers.”

“The three phases of the Movement Control Order revealed Malaysians initiative in embarking on their own DIY projects at home, from repainting to fixing faulty household items and carrying out creative projects with the family, ensuring that their home continues to be a conducive environment. As such, we identified this trend as a strategic growth opportunity to expand from our existing range of products beyond coatings and painting tools, through offering Selleys’ quality products to complete our range of home DIY solutions that deliver superior results to Malaysian homeowners,” continued Chen.

Mr Yaw Seng Heng, Group Managing Director of Nippon Paint Malaysia said, “The recent integration with Selleys marks a proud milestone for Nippon Paint, bringing on board synergistic brands which share similar core values with us, in line with our continuous efforts in championing innovations and providing trusted, quality products for our consumers. Amidst the challenging economic environment, Nippon Paint will continue to support not just our network of dealers, but also our customers in providing a wider range of home improvement products – paving way towards contributing to our growth journey for the year and beyond.”

Complementing the range of Nippon Paint’s coatings solutions, Selleys’ comprehensive range of products features home improvement products such as sealants (Selleys Blockade), household adhesives (Selleys Supa Glue), construction adhesives (Selleys Liquid Nails®), fillers (Selleys No More Gaps®) and lubricants (Selleys RP7).

NEWS & EVENTS

SIRIM-MITB to collaborate on project utilizing hybrid renewable energy for timber and wood drying

(Source: Sirim Berhad)

NCT Group of Companies (NCT Group) and Future Inno Park Sdn Bhd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pertaining to NCT Group’s Kuala Langat Industrial Hub development project dedicated to the electrical and electronic (E&E) industry.

The MoU signing took place on 17 August 2020 at Bilik Gerakan MTES, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Shah (SSAAS) Shah Alam, in the presence of NCT Group Founder, Dato’ Sri Yap Ngan Choy and Dato’ Jeffrey Ng Chin Heng, Director of Future Inno Park and an active Chinese business leader. The event was witnessed by YB Dato’ Teng Chang Khim, ADUN Bandar Baru Klang and Selangor State Senior Executive Councillor (EXCO) for Investment, Industry, Commerce and SME as well as Dato’ Joe Yap Fook Choy, Co-Founder of NCT Group.

Commenting on the development, Dato’ Sri Yap Ngan Choy said “The Kuala Langat Industrial Hub is poised to take business capabilities to new heights. We are anticipating interest from a lot of big industry players and investors. The MoU SIRIM Berhad has collaborated with the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) in “Hibrid Tenaga Hijau Pengeringan Kayu-Kayan Tempatan” project, which is expected to be implemented in October this year.

SIRIM President & Group Chief Executive Prof Ir Dr Ahmad Fadzil Mohamad Hani stated that the project will involve energy audits and the effectiveness of kiln drying on timber products.

“The project will help timber-based companies to reduce the cost of electricity, including the proposed use of renewable energy namely solar energy,” said Prof Ir Dr Ahmad Fadzil when speaking at the Sirim-Industry Engagement programme, which was held 21 July 2020 at Zenith Hotel in Kuantan, Pahang.

The programme was officiated will pave the way to introduce the project to foreign investors in the international market.”

Dato’ Jeffrey Ng Chin Heng will be working in bringing in international buyers to invest in the project. “Many foreign E&E firms are looking to relocate their businesses to Malaysia to diversify by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and was also attended by the Deputy Chairman of the Pahang State Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPP), Datuk Seri Shahiruddin Ab Moin.

Commenting further on the programme, Ahmad Fadzil said SIRIM is offering various applications and technology services in an effort to increase the productivity of industry and entrepreneurs in Pahang.

According to him, until December last year, a total of 136 SMEs and micro enterprises in Pahang are involved in the Marketing and Financial Entrepreneurship Development Programme. In addition, a total of 1,470 SMEs including 25 from Pahang have participated in the industrial

NCT Group signs MoU with Future Inno Park to develop Industrial Hub in Kuala Langat

From left: Dato’ Joe Yap Fook Choy, Dato’ Sri Yap Ngan Choy, YB Dato’ Teng Chang Khim and Dato’ Jeffrey Ng Chin Heng commemorate the MoU signing ceremony.

technology improvement programme. production. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) reported in June 2020 that it had a pipeline of investment projects worth about US$13 billion. The Kuala Langat Industrial Hub is the perfect investment location to feed the demand of these investors,” he shared.

Malaysia’s first courtyard by Marriott makes its debut in Penang

Property developer Tropicana Corporation Berhad, in partnership with Marriott International, has launched Courtyard by Marriott Penang on 4 September 2020. It is the first Courtyard by Marriott in Malaysia and the 17 th Marriott International brand in the country.

The launch was officiated by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang. Also present were Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Chee Sing, Group Executive Vice Chairman, Mr Alex Yeow, Group Chief Executive Officer and Mr Dion Tan, Group Managing Director of Tropicana as well as Mr Subash Basrur, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Penang and Ms Cindy Yoong, Area Director of Marketing (SEA), Marriott International.

“It gives us great pleasure to launch our country’s first Courtyard by Marriott here in Penang. The introduction of Courtyard by Marriott at Tropicana 218 Macalister marks the launch of our second hotel from the Marriott Group, in line with our strategy to strengthen our investment portfolio and increase our recurring income stream. We recognise that this is challenging time for hotel operators, however with the support and swift action from both state and federal governments in controlling and combating COVID-19, we are optimistic that the local tourism scene is slowly but steadily recovering even as our international borders remained closed,” said Mr Dion Tan.

Courtyard by Marriott Penang consists of 199 smart and spacious rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, and Penang’s first and only distillery-themed bar, Gin Library. Additional facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, an outdoor infinity pool and dynamic public spaces created to help guests transition seamlessly from work to restful moments. It also comes with a pillarless ballroom that can accommodate up to 150 guests, eight state-of-the-art meeting rooms and one VIP room, each fitted with the latest audio-visual equipment.

In conjunction with the launch, tourists and visitors can now avail themselves to special opening rates which start from RM300 nett per room per night, with complimentary high-speed WiFi for stays from 3 September till 23 December 2020.

Courtyard by Marriott Penang is located at the Group’s luxurious high-rise residential project Tropicana 218 Macalister on a 2.09 acre of prime freehold land in the heart of Penang’s UNESCO

Chief Minister of Penang YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow (fourth from right) officiating the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Penang, together with Group Executive Vice Chairman of Tropicana Corporation Berhad Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Chee Sing (center), Management of Tropicana Corporation Berhad, Marriott International and Marriott International.

From left: YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow (Chief Minister of Penang), Subash Basrur (General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Penang) and Mr Dion Tan (Group Managing Director of Tropicana Corporation Berhad) during a tour of Courtyard by Marriott Penang.

World Heritage Site with total gross development value (GDV) of RM334.7 million. It boasts an overall design and layout that embraces contemporary lifestyle living, in a town setting, a concept that is synonymous with the Tropicana brand. The development offers customers with 211 units of versatile Neo suites, 88 units of serviced residences and 20 units of retail shops.

ARCHIDEX Online - A Hybrid Exhibition Platform that allows the architecture industry professionals to discover, source and connect seamlessly.

ARCHIDEX goes hybrid

The region’s leading architecture business event, ARCHIDEX, is embarking on a hybrid concept with a new digital component – ARCHIDEX Online, to complement the physical annual exhibition that is set to take place from 16 – 19 December 2020 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

The ARCHIDEX Online platform is now accessible via registration for anyone in the architecture, building and design community. The online platform is live 24/7 and available at the fingertips of anyone around the world at any time, and offers tremendous global market exposure and reach for eBuyers and eSellers.

This platform allows registrants to begin their journey as an eBuyer browsing for products, information or connecting with eSellers from a wide variety of product categories in the architecture, built and design industry. Additionally, eBuyers are also eligible to attend a series of webinars on this platform.

To kick-off the ARCHIDEX Online platform, this August month will be dedicated to the Architecture Digital Month (6 August – 4 September), which will feature a 5-week series of relevant and interesting webinar sessions related to the Industry, Business and Education sectors of the architecture world.

These webinars provide timely support for industry professionals to keep up-to-date with crucial information and knowledge. They also serve as a conversation starter for discussions amongst industry professionals. More monthly themes will also be set in place for participants, leading up to the physical exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre this coming December.

Industry leaders are expected to come together to discuss current and pressing issues and to collaborate on existing and potential business development towards individual and sector growth.

In a recent webinar organised by ARCHIDEX Online, C.I.S President Dato’ Vincent Lim said: “The world is fast changing and the business model is changing so I foresee sourcing products online giving an edge as it’s faster and more efficient. It is no longer a ‘new norm’ but a must instead, so businesses should take this opportunity to start with this — to boost their online presence in order to

ARCHIDEX Exhibition - An event of KLAF that brings together an architectural exhibition, conference, forums, trade talks, industry meetings, business matching and others.

cater for the new market of the future.”

ARCHIDEX Online will be the go-to platform for the architecture, building and design professionals to take advantage off in the new norm of doing business or when they need to specify for a project. Both eBuyers and eSellers are able to reach out to each other conveniently whilst getting information or contacts speedily.

Meanwhile, come 16 – 19 December 2020, the four-day ARCHIDEX special edition will explore the latest industry trends and innovation, featuring an architectural conference (DATUM), forums, trade talks, industry meetings, business matching and others.

ARCHIDEX is jointly organised by Malaysia’s leading trade and lifestyle exhibitions organiser C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd and Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM, or the Malaysian Institute of Architects).

BMDAM 43 rd Annual General Meeting

The 43 rd Annual General Meeting of the Building Material Distributors Association Malaysia (BMDAM) convened on 27 August 2020 at its premises with incumbent President, Mr Bill Lee (Makin Juta Sdn Bhd) in the chair.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

In reviewing the Association’s activities over the past year, the President remarked that BMDAM will continuously strive to unite and promote the common interests and rights of its members by providing good exposure to their respective products and services via the Association’s website, email and social network; disseminating information received from the Government, related associations and government bodies about the construction industry activities and concerns, SOPs and Government Stimulus Packages available to assist industry players affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President further commented that weak growth has been recorded across most economic sectors amid the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) followed by the Conditional and Recovery MCO during 2Q 2020. Recent statistics showed the value of construction work done in 2Q 2020 contracted by 44.9% (1Q 2020: -6.3%) year-on-year basis, amounting to RM19.8 billion (1Q 2020: RM35 billion).

He also encouraged BMDAM members to take advantage of the BMDAM Common Defaulter Database, offered by the Association in collaboration with Experian Information Services (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (formerly known as RAM Credit Info, RAMCI) since year 2018, as a means to control respective companies’ credit risk.

The President stated that BMDAM has a total of 147 members to date, and in an effort to lessen the members’ burden in the time of pandemic, the Association will waive the annual subscription fee for the year 2020/2021. BMDAM Exco Members for the 2020 – 2022 term:

President

Mr Bill Lee Makin Juta Sdn Bhd

Vice President Mr Lim Chun Heng Honjen Enterprise Sdn Bhd

Honorary Secretary

Mr Thomas Tuan Procurement & Contracts Sdn Bhd

Honorary Treasurer

Mr Yee Khee Tong Chin Ho & Co. (Malaya) Sdn Bhd

Immediate Past Mr Yang Kian Lock Sudut Swasta Sdn Bhd

President

Executive Ms Jane Lau BM Buildtrade Sdn Bhd

Committee

Members Mr Chen Fun Tee CMCM Perniagaan Sdn Bhd

Mr Patrick Ong Emum Capital Sdn Bhd

Mr New Ching Liong Gainvest Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd

Mr Yong Chau Meng Hap Seng Trading (BM) Sdn Bhd

Mr Soo Kee Loon Len Min Steel Sdn Bhd

Mr Low Yee Min Nature Supply Trading Sdn Bhd

Mr Michael Tan PP Chin Hin Sdn Bhd

Mr Cheah Chee Ngen Posim Marketing Sdn Bhd

Mr Lim Huck Seng Simen Utara Sdn Bhd

Mr Goh Eng Hooi Syn Tai Hung Sdn Bhd

Ms Jean Wong

Mr Peter Tan TSI Trading & Distribution Sdn Bhd

Terracotta Tiles Centre Sdn Bhd