BEM ROAD SHOW 2014/2015
BEM NEWS
Opening Address by
YB Datuk Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof,
Minister of Works Malaysia
This is an abstract of the speech at the BEM Roadshow 2014/2015 held in Kuala Lumpur on
September 29, 2014.
E
ngineers play instrumental roles in all
sectors of the economy particularly the builtenvironment, manufacturing, transportation,
information communication as well as other
industries. Engineers are important because
you generate wealth for our economy and create
innovations that enhance the quality of life of our
people. As the Minister in charge of construction
works, I earnestly hope that the image of the
whole construction industry improves and it is
for the engineers to take the necessary steps to
uphold their professional standing, integrity and to
always work within their level of competency.
I am happy to see a paper for this Road Show
entitled “Responsibility and Accountability of
Stakeholders in the Construction Industry”. I was
informed that this paper also contains a long list of
recommendation to mitigate construction mishaps.
It is therefore important that every stakeholder in
the construction industry understand their roles
well.
The construction industry must learn from
experience because each incident has valuable
lessons such as the standard of safety,
professionalism, competency and accountability
from all stakeholders. In 1968, a four-storey
building at Jalan Raja Laut Kuala Lumpur
collapsed; in 1988, the gangway at Penang Ferry
Terminal collapsed; in 1993, the Highland Towers
at Ulu Klang collapsed and; in 2009, the roof of
the Gong Badak Stadium at Kuala Terengganu
collapsed and Jaya Supermarket at Petaling Jaya
collapsed during demolition. After each of these
incidents, various legislations were amended
and improved or new ones enacted to protect the
safety and interest of the public.
The Ministry of Works intends to arrest such
incidents in the future by instilling a pervasive
“safety culture” within the construction industry.
The Ministry recognizes that to instil a “safety
culture” through legislation is difficult because
“culture” can only evolve with time. Nevertheless
with persistency, the apathetic culture towards
public safety will be replaced with a new culture
that looks after their interest.
The Ministry is optimistic that being a
developed nation by 2020 is not merely by an
increase of personal income; but also importantly
the “human values” affecting us. One of these
“human values” is to reduce the fatalities in the
construction industry. Fatality as a result of poor
safety culture amongst the stakeholders at the
expense of human lives is just not acceptable.
Despite the mishaps in the construction
industry, I have noted the progressive attitude of
the Board towards liberalisation of the services
industry. My perception of the Board of Engineers
is that it is run by professionals of impeccable
character. The Board has adopted a policy of
optimism by providing pragmatic, intelligent and
meaningful solutions to the Government.
Talking about globalization, I am glad to inform
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