ARCHIDEX CONVERSATION with YB Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, MOW

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Volume 4

FORGING NEW FRONTIERS FOR THE BUILD INDUSTRY

An interview with YB Dato' Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Senior Minister, Ministry of Works, Malaysia

We had the pleasure of meeting YB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof who incidentally was the recipient of the International Road Federation Man of the Year Award in 2016 as one of the most prestigious individual honour in the global road industry. He was recognised as the chief architect behind Malaysia’s spectacular Trans Borneo Highway also known as the Asian Highway 150 (AH 150) of the Asian Highway Network.

Here are the excerpts of his perspective as he shares his views on the challenges and the way forward for the construction industry in facing the COVID-19 pandemic which is in its third wave.

What are the challenges faced by the construction industry in Malaysia during this COVID-19 pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has struck all economic sectors including the construction industry in an unprecedented manner which is unimaginable in our life time. Among the short-term effects, we are witnessing many projects being delayed or cancelled and supply chains disrupted. However, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) during the initial phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO) approved 13 types of construction activities to operate subject to strict adherence of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) drawn up by CIDB.

As the COVID-19 cases tapered, the government decided to allow all economic sectors to operate where the main issues faced in particular the construction-related companies include financial difficulty, project delivery and availability of labour.

This is an astonishingly difficult time but strategic interventions and initiatives can help the construction industry stakeholders manage the immediate crisis, stabilise supply chains and reinforce the industry to emerge from this pandemic on a more structured and solid manner. The construction industry can be assured that the Ministry of Works is mindful of its leadership role and is looking forward to ensure sustainability and financial prudence in emerging successfully from this crisis.

How can the industry overcome the current challenges?
In the short term, the construction industry players must focus on gaining financial stability with the government to ensure that all public sector construction projects are awarded and implemented quickly. Construction projects are the catalyst to ignite positive economic impact on the construction industry supply chain and have a two times multiplier effect in which another 120 sectors were identified as being inter related to each other. This will mean that we have to constantly relook, rethink and replan our business models to ensure survivability for the long term. Needless to say, we are in this fight against COVID- 19 as a nation regardless of the industry sectors and must work together in synergy for the well-being of the country.

Safety & Health
Companies must focus on keeping their workforce safe and healthy by adhering to the SOPs for the construction industry which has been put in place by CIDB on Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) to ensure minimum risk of COVID-19 spreading in the workers’ accommodation and construction sites. The CIDB is continuously monitoring the compliance of these SOPs at construction sites. I have personally led a few construction sites visits to inspect on their compliance to the SOPs and found that 80 percent of the construction sites have complied accordingly.

Technology
In addition to health and safety, the COVID-19 pandemic and MCO has more than ever, emphasised the importance of technology adoption in the construction industry.

Notably, construction sites should no longer have large groups of people working at the same time in order to avoid the risk of infection. This emphasised the need for the construction industry to reduce the dependency on foreign unskilled labour and instead adopt mechanisation and technology which will allow us to reduce the workforce significantly and offer higher wages to a few highly skilled local work forces.

The Malaysian Government will continuously ensure that the construction industry will adopt and embrace the use of the Industrialised Building System (IBS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) which is anticipated to transform the construction industry as a whole in the future.

Long term
The construction industry stakeholders should take this opportunity to relook, rethink and replan their business models as I have mentioned earlier in order to strengthen their business strategy and focus on upskilling and upgrading their workforce. I believe when the economy recovers from this pandemic, the construction industry will be ready and be resilient to compete at all levels through their enhanced capabilities and capacities to ensure productivity and competitiveness.

This is an astonishingly difficult time but strategic interventions and initiatives can help the construction industry stakeholders manage the immediate crisis, stabilise supply chains and reinforce the industry to emerge from this pandemic on a more structured and solid manner.

YB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof,
Senior Minister of Works, Malaysia

BUILD HYPE LEADING UP TO ARCHIDEX 2021 AND NETWORK WITH SPECIFIERS, TRADER AND BUILDERS NOW BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT ON ARCHIDEX ONLINE HERE:

eBuyer
eSeller

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO BE AT ARCHIDEX 2021, 7 TO 10 JULY 2021 KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE (KLCC), MALAYSIA HERE:

Exhibitor

For the latest updates, visit https://archidex.com.my/ or follow us on our social media accounts.

ARCHIDEX CONVERSATION with YBhg. Datuk Dr. Hj Radzali Bin Hassan, MACC

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Volume 3

CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF THE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA

An interview with YBhg. Datuk Dr. Hj Radzali Bin Hassan, Advisor of Malaysia Association of Cleaning Contractors (MACC) and Chairman of Malaysian Franchise Association

We catch up with YBhg. Datuk Dr. Hj Radzali Bin Hassan who is also the Group Managing Director of Harta Maintenance in addressing the thoughts of the Cleaning and Maintenance Industry Professionals on CLEANExpo and FACIMEX which will be held concurrently with ARCHIDEX Special Edition 2020.

In our recent webinar, one of the issues discussed was that the general and scope of cleaning and sanitisation must have gone through a lot of changes due to the pandemic. In your opinion how are stakeholders of the Cleaning, Buildings and Facilities Maintenance adapting or facilitating to the current pandemic situation?
We are now working in a high-risk environment as the front liners in the fight against the pandemic. This makes CLEANING & DISINFECTION more important than ever. The pandemic has brought the future of cleaning to NOW where we now rely heavily on deep, intelligent, ecological and microbial cleaning by using more advanced machinery and more effective chemicals.

How can MACC being the voice for the industry, plan a proactive role? What is crucial in times like this?
This is INDEED THE TIME to focus on the CRUCIAL areas that need development or maybe focus to invest in technology – high tech equipment, systems, chemicals, solutions? Learn and source for new materials in the market or bring to the market such equipment. We are working together with C.I.S to bring forth CLEANExpo and FACIMEX as one of our plans to promote high standards in cleaning and incorporating technological advancements.

CLEANExpo and FACIMEX’s FOCUS FORUM by MACC will provide the avenue to address these issues. While the proposed MACC’s MYCLEAN Campaign will champion the support from Government Ministries/Agencies – Associations/NGO – Industry Players – Public. The campaign that is in planning will feature a Government enforced MYCLEAN Mark, a safety mark for public spaces and promoting high standards in sanitation and hygiene.

In your opinion, how will organising CLEANExpo and FACIMEX concurrently with ARCHIDEX help the Cleaning, Buildings and Facilities Maintenance players and what can they expect from the exhibition this year?
I believe CLEANExpo and FACIMEX will be able to ride on ARCHIDEX’s targeted 22,000 visitors this year. I am indeed in awe that ARCHIDEX 2019 attracted 36,300 visitors and had over RM1.1 Billion in business transactions. As a pioneer industry player since 1980, I am excited that MACC is a part of these inaugural exhibitions, a timely business event to showcase the latest in innovative products and technological advancements with the recent focus on Hygienic Cleaning and Sanitation in all aspects of the Build Environment.

The time has come to revolutionise the CLEANING and MAINTENANCE industry. We aim to set the standards of practices and services not just during a pandemic but also the future; the entire eco-system – to promote the industry, the profession, practices, training and education, technologies and others. In fact, through CLEANExpo and FACIMEX, it will be a good start for MACC and other industry players towards building the industry for the nation.

YBhg. Datuk Dr. Hj Radzali Bin Hassan,
Advisor of Malaysia Association of Cleaning Contractors (MACC)

BUILD HYPE LEADING UP TO ARCHIDEX 2021 AND NETWORK WITH SPECIFIERS, TRADER AND BUILDERS NOW BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT ON ARCHIDEX ONLINE HERE:

eBuyer
eSeller

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO BE AT ARCHIDEX 2021, 7 TO 10 JULY 2021 KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE (KLCC), MALAYSIA HERE:

Exhibitor

For the latest updates, visit https://archidex.com.my/ or follow us on our social media accounts.

ARCHIDEX CONVERSATION with Ar. Dr Tan Loke Mun, KLAF

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Volume 2

NEW BEGINNINGS

FOR THE INDUSTRY

An interview with Ar. Dr Tan Loke Mun, Co-Director of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF) 2020

We get up-close-and-personal with Ar. Dr Tan Loke Mun in addressing the thoughts of the specifiers on the recent launch of ARCHIDEX Online in complementing ARCHIDEX, the region’s leading architecture, interior design and building industry exhibition.
You shared in our recent webinar that the pandemic has brought 2030 to 2020. How is that changing the way architects work; in sourcing of materials and products. Also, how the young architects are adapting to this?
 Yes, this pandemic has brought 2030 to 2020. Everything you thought would take 10 years to happen is happening now, for example virtual meetings. This pandemic has sort of forced many to digitalise their business. As a result, we are now forced to go online in seeking for projects and also the materials too. I guess this sort of opened up our horizons to more information and opportunities.

Young architects really are the future, as they embrace changes readily. For them, applications like Siri is a normal interface they go to for information. I think for young people, the only thing that’s lacking is a network of personal contacts. This is where the older generation need to help. I think if we can get to that level of trust virtually, it will be the ultimate goal in virtual connectivity.
With all that is going on these days, how crucial is it to rely on going online for businesses and what does it take to restrategise from the normal way of working?
 During the MCO, I was pleasantly surprised when one of our clients, a developer accelerated into virtual selling and sold over RM200 million worth of properties. This shows that there are great opportunities out there, you just need to get hold of it.

I think whichever way you look at it, whatever you were planning to do, you have to do it now because of the constant changes. As a business, you have to sustain your overheads and staff. You have to strategise, otherwise you will surely lose.
The annual Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF), established since 2003 has grown from year to year creating a tsunami of events that leads to its climax during DATUM and ARCHIDEX. Can you share how these events have impacted the architecture scene holistically?
ARCHIDEX and KLAF have managed to create a community for the building industry which year after year contributes towards the success of this platform as the Region’s Leading Architecture Business Event. In line with this objective, KLAF was created in 2003 as an annual festival to inspire Malaysian architects with ideas and help stimulate the architecture industry in the country.

KLAF will continue to be the catalyst towards bridging the industry stakeholders with each other for the purpose of gaining knowledge, keeping abreast with the latest industry updates and building relationships through networking.

Whatever you were planning to do, you have to do it now. You have to strategise, otherwise you will surely lose.

Ar. Dr Tan Loke Mun, Co-Director of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF) 2020

BUILD HYPE LEADING UP TO ARCHIDEX 2021 AND NETWORK WITH SPECIFIERS, TRADER AND BUILDERS NOW BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT ON ARCHIDEX ONLINE HERE:

eBuyer
eSeller

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO BE AT ARCHIDEX 2021, 7 TO 10 JULY 2021 KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE (KLCC), MALAYSIA HERE:

Exhibitor

For the latest updates, visit https://archidex.com.my/ or follow us on our social media accounts.

ARCHIDEX CONVERSATION with Datin Rusiah, MATRADE

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Volume 1

ADAPTING

TO CHANGE

An interview with YBhg. Datin Rusiah Mohamed, Director of Construction & Business Services Section of MATRADE

After the success of the International Sourcing Programme (INSP)@ARCHIDEX 2019, MATRADE together with C.I.S continues to create new benchmarks with the recently launched ARCHIDEX Online as a complementing feature to ARCHIDEX 2020.

Over RM35 million was made during INSP at ARCHIDEX 2019. In this current situation, what is your prediction on the outcome this year?
Last year, we targeted RM20 million but managed to secure RM35 million in 60 meetings. This year, as there are no physical B2B meetings, this ARCHIDEX Online is envisaged to be an effective platform for our local suppliers to be connected to potential buyers in the “new normal” of doing business.

Are digital platforms still relevant to your business?
Yes, of course as I see them as a cost-effective platform for exporters to reach buyers. Potential buyers and suppliers do not have to deal with the uncertainties of physical meetings and importantly all is done at their own convenience. Thus, Digital Platforms are the way forward.

What is your take on the inclusion of digital platforms such as ARCHIDEX Online into the Market Development Grant (MDG)?
In order to overcome challenges faced due to COVID-19 including travel restrictions, business owners need to leverage on digital platforms to continue their businesses. Recognising this, MATRADE continues to work with ARCHIDEX to link Malaysian sellers and foreign buyers through ARCHIDEX Online. While facilitating our exporters to integrate into this new normal, MATRADE recently announced our new initiative for Market Development Grant to also include virtual trade exhibitions and virtual trade missions where business-to-business (B2B) meetings are an integral part of these virtual events as one of their new claimable activities.

Are physical exhibitions still relevant in the Digitally Intense Business World we are in today?
There are advantages to this hybrid exhibition model, among which is the continuity of engagements between potential buyers and exporters. Both just can’t get the same experience online, so yes, I trust that trade shows are still relevant where possible.

What is MATRADE’s opinion on ARCHIDEX Online and ARCHIDEX in the future?
After experiencing this kind of unprecedented events, companies have to reform themselves, and digitalisation is one of the main key elements they have to embrace – whether they like it or not. They also need to adapt and look into new ways to do things.

Leveraging on digital platform is the new normal for businesses to stay visible in export markets.

Datin Rusiah Mohamed, Director of Construction & Business Services Section at MATRADE

BUILD HYPE LEADING UP TO ARCHIDEX 2021 AND NETWORK WITH SPECIFIERS, TRADER AND BUILDERS NOW BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT ON ARCHIDEX ONLINE HERE:

eBuyer
eSeller

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO BE AT ARCHIDEX 2021, 7 TO 10 JULY 2021 KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE (KLCC), MALAYSIA HERE:

Exhibitor

For the latest updates, visit https://archidex.com.my/ or follow us on our social media accounts.

What is the fastest way to get a new product recognised by the industry?

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The most efficient way for you to get
instant recognition from over 37,000 delegates and trade visitors at ARCHIDEX
2020 is to win the highly competitive annual awards. The New Product Award and
the Green Dot Award celebrate the most innovative products that have achieved
industry standards to garner an official seal of approval ahead of the rest,
and to gain a place of honour in a dedicated Awards Gallery at the exhibition
as well as publicity in multiple AR2020 official marketing promotions.

New Product Award & Green Dot Award ARCHIDEX 2020

Here’s what two previous winners have
to share about their awards:

Timberdeck Sdn Bhd:

Winning
an award helped us a lot especially in out Wood Plastic Composite business
because the certification creates added value to both our domestic and
international buyers. Nowadays, any company can create a product. But a
product with a seal of industry recognition instantly sets you apart from
competitors and sets the bar higher as well.

Wiitrac Elevator Sdn Bhd:

Winning the NPA in 2018 and by
participating in 2019 again have given us a major boost to our business with
the opportunity to distinguish ourselves from competitors, which are major
players in the industry. The awards have been a backbone to our business, as
most enquiries that came after we won had led to potential sales and eventually
they became secured sales. But what’s even more invaluable is the fact that
these leads have helped us to build strategic relationships with numerous
business partners that will take us well into the upcoming years.

For newcomers into any market, the NPA
and GDA awards add a definite “wow” factor into your current business. We
intend to submit a new entry into the 2020 awards, and we encourage
newcomers especially to not miss this great opportunity provided by our event
organisers that will provide unlimited opportunities for your company.

Do you have an outstanding product to
be selected for the ARCHIDEX 2020 New Product Awards and Green Dot Awards?

Submit your entry today for your
product to be evaluated on-site during the exhibition by an industry-led panel
of judges. The winning nominations will be honoured during a gala Awards
Presentation Ceremony at AR2020, as well as multiple streams of publicity in
official marketing communication.

The criteria for the New Product Award
are:

  • Design
    – Creativity or uniqueness of the product’s form, function, and application
  • Innovation
    – Introduction of new methods
  • Technology
    – Application of science especially to industrial or commercial objectives
  • Lifestyle
    and Society – How does a product affect or add value to its users or community
  • Standards
    – Durability and Statutory Recognition/ Accreditations
     

The criteria for the Green Dot Award are:

  • Design and
    Innovation – Creation and introduction of new or innovative methods
  • Technology
    and Standards – Application of science especially to industrial or commercial
    objectives, and Durability and Statutory Recognition/ Accreditations
  • Restoration
    – The usage of materials that helps reverse damage or add on to natural capital
    (Site Management)
  • Reduction
    – Reducing materials needed for its function (efficiency in terms of Materials and
    Resources, Water and Energy)
  • Re-usage
    of Materials – Reusing of manufactured product(s) (efficiency in terms of
    Materials, Resources and Energy)

Click here to submit your entries now, or contact Ms. Joyce Choo for more details at 603-7982 4668 ext 338 or email joyce@cisnetwork.com