A 9-member delegation from TEEAM paid a courtesy visit to YB Dato’ Ir Donald Lim Siang Chai, Deputy Minister of Finance, Malaysia on 3rd December 2010. The delegation members were Engr Fu Wing Hoong (President), Ir Chew Shee Fuee (Vice President), Engr Leong Kam Seng (Vice President), Mr Ho Khai Hong (Honorary Secretary), Dato’ Ir Lee Peng Joo (Immediate Past President cum Adviser), Mr Suresh Kumar Gorasia (Past President), Mr Jack Soon Lee Hock (Assistant Honorary Secretary), Mr David Chong Ah Nyap (Council Member) and Ms Agnes Keng (Deputy Executive Secretary).
Issues raised to the Deputy Finance Minister were:
- The well known “lighting issue” was raised to the Deputy Minister’s attention. The restriction on the use of lighting products for government projects from only four suppliers has drawn negative response from the industry and has hindered further investment. TEEAM has been pursuing the issue through many platforms since 2005. The Treasury had finally withdrawn the directive effectively from 1st May 2010. TEEAM was thankful to the government for listening to the industry’s concern but members’ relief was short lived as the issue is now reactivated with a Treasury Circular dated 12th October 2010 (PKP 7/2010) and backdated to 16th August 2010, now with a panel of six suppliers. The Deputy Minister informed that there was no such government policy to determine the suppliers’ name for government projects. He advised TEEAM to bring the matter up to YAB Prime Minister.
- The Deputy Minister shared with TEEAM some information on the Focus Group Meeting on Green Technology, Environment and Energy. The government is giving great focus on these areas which will create opportunities for TEEAM members. Green technology is very much emphasised by the government to promote energy efficiency and building a sustainable economy.
- TEEAM raised to the Deputy Minister on the need to establish a full fledged electrotechnical testing laboratory to propel the local manufacturing industry. The proposed testing laboratory comprised high voltage and high current testing. With the set up of this proposed laboratory, TEEAM believes domestic investment in the manufacture of power equipment will increase to make Malaysia a major exporter. The Deputy Minister supported TEEAM’s proposal and suggested a task force to work out the details and make a strong proposal to the government.
- TEEAM briefed the Deputy Minister on the proposed Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act (CIPAA). The proposed CIPAA has been delayed for four years. The main issue affecting the construction industry has always been the problem of delay payment as well as nonpayment. Alternative dispute resolutions such as arbitration and litigation are time consuming and are often expensive. Hence CIPAA is formulated by the Ministry of Works to expedite payment and also to resolve payment issue. The Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA) had proposed for amendments to the CIPAA Bill to replace the earlier bill put up by the Ministry of Works. The construction industry players are concerned over the turn of event and had submitted a joint memorandum on the CIPAA to PEMUDAH urging the government to approve the CIPAA in the form as formulated earlier. TEEAM is one of the signatory parties. The industry players are of the opinion that the KLRCA’s proposed bill is unacceptable as it does not address the fundamental issues which are presently plaguing the construction industry which the bill is intended to resolve.
- TEEAM President, Engr Fu Wing Hoong updated YB Dato’ Ir Donald Lim that TEEAM has amended its constitution recently and TEEAM wishes to accord the Deputy Minister as an Honorary Fellow of TEEAM. YB Dato’ Ir Donald Lim confirmed and signed the acceptance letter to be an Honorary Fellow of TEEAM.
The meeting concluded with a note of thanks to the Deputy Minister for his time and for giving TEEAM the opportunity to highlighting issues of concern.
Listening attentively – TEEAM highlighting issues of concern to the Deputy Finance Minister.