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New Malaysian Standard launched to raise the bar in construction

The Construction Industry Development Board, Malaysia’s (CIDB) Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (MyCESMM) has now been recognised by the Malaysian Government as a Malaysian Standard, MS 2701:2018. This initiative is part of the overall strategy to raise the standards of the local construction industry to be on par with developed economies, and achieves one of the KPIs set under the Government’s Construction Industry Transformation Programme 2016 – 2020 (CITP).

MyCESMM was recognised as MS 2701:2018 by the Department of Standards Malaysia, which is under the purview of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. The document was launched at a ceremony in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, by Tuan Baru Bian, the Minister of Works. Present also was Tan Sri Dr Ir Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, Chairman of CIDB, on 9 January 2019.

“The government recognises that the use of a standardised method of measurement is an important step towards the internationalisation of Malaysia’s construction practices. MyCESMM was used to enhance the level of professionalism in the industry. Today’s launch of MS 2701:2018 marks the next step in the development of MyCESMM as an industry standard,” said Tuan Baru Bian.

“MS 2701:2018 is now a national standard that can be applied to all projects in the country. It integrates various specifications that previously existed in the Malaysian market, while consolidating best industry practices from around the world. Importantly, the recognition of MyCESMM as a Malaysian Standard was achieved after a long consultative and collaborative process with industry stakeholders, technical agencies as well as higher learning institutions,” he added.

The introduction of MS 2017:2018 is one of the key initiatives to create a culture of high quality and professionalism in the Malaysian construction industry, thereby raising the quality of Malaysian construction practices to international standards. This will increase the competitiveness of Malaysian construction players in the global market, which is in line with the outcomes envisioned in the CITP’s Internationalisation strategic thrust.

In addition to the launch of MS 2701:2018, the event also saw the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), between Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd and CIDB, as well as Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) Sabah. The former collaboration is part of CIDB’s efforts to increase the adoption of MS 2701:2018 in all civil engineering projects nationwide. Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd is taking the lead in its commitment to the use of MS 2701:2018 in its civil engineering projects. Currently, all 35 packages under the Sabah Pan-Borneo Highway have adopted MyCESMM. Moving forward with the MoU, Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd will adopt MS 2701:2018.

Meanwhile, the MoU between Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd and ABM Sabah will see human capital development in the local construction industry. Borneo Highway PDP Sdn Bhd will equip ABM Sabah trainees with relevant working experience in its projects through an apprenticeship programme.

Since its introduction in 2011, CIDB has successfully collaborated with 31 technical and non-technical agencies from the public and private sectors to drive adoption of MyCESMM. These include the Public Works Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (MRT) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall. CIDB has also partnered with higher learning institutions including UTM, UITM, UM and Taylor’s University to include MyCESMM as learning reference in their syllabus.

Currently, more than 40 civil engineering projects in Malaysia have adopted the use of MyCESMM.

MyCESMM was introduced by CIDB to eliminate discrepancies and ambiguities in the Bill of Quantities. It contains standardised method of measurements covering categories such as works, descriptions, specifications, units of measurement, billings, arrangements as well as quantities and rates. MyCESMM also minimises the likelihood of claims and uncertainties through a standardised description of work items. — Construction+ Online