The 36th Annual General Meeting of PAM Sabah Chapter was held on 06th August 2011, Saturday at 10.0am at the Chapter Mini Auditorium. The AGM was attended by 48 corporate and 5 graduate members.
Ar. Lim Koi Hoe who was appointed as Election Officer earlier on, requested to nominate 2 scrutineers to assist in vote counting. The floor then nominated Ar. William CK Ho and Ar. Ronald SK Tang.
The election of the Chapter Committee was conducted in accordance with the PAM Constitution and Bye-Law where no floor nomination is allowed. This AGM was both interesting and exciting as there are two contests; for the post of Chairman and Vice Chairman. There were four nominations received at the close of nominations at 12.30 pm on 16th July 2011.
Two nominations were from Ar. Lo Su Yin and Dr. Tan Jun Kwang for the post of Chairman and another two nominations were from Ar. Jebb Liew and Ar. Arnold Kwan for the post of Vice Chairman.
Counting of votes was done by the Election Officer, Ar. Lim Koi Hoe and assisted by his deputy election officer, Ar. Chin Yin Tet and the 2 scrutinizers appointed when the AGM commenced at 10.15am.
The result was announced by the Election Officer, Ar. Lim Koi Hoe after the tea-break at 11.30am. Ar. Lo Su Yin was declared as the elected Chairman 2011-2012 with 38 votes against Ar. Dr. Tan Jun Kwang who only garnered 31 votes. Ar. Jebb Liew was declared as the elected vice chairman with 37 votes against Ar. Arnold Kwan who only garnered 29 votes.
After much debate on the issues of the eligibility of Ar. Lawrence Chin as the nominated Hon Treasurer at the special chapter committee meeting held on 27 July 2011, the election officer’s final decision decided to declare Ar. Lawrence Chin as the elected Hon Treasurer. Ar. William CK Ho was returned unopposed for the post as Hon Secretary.
The 6 Chapter Committee members who were nominated and won un-contested were:-
1. Ar. Rizal Ahmad Banjar
2. Ar. Fong Kean Chong, Aaron
3. Ar. Daniel Koh Chung Hou
4. Ar. Yong Ming Cheong
5. Ar. Mok Juang Yu
6. Ar. Ooi Bee Yan, Noreen
The AGM adjourned at 1.20pm followed by lunch.
A CPD on the Principles of Designing for Fire Safety: Understanding the Prescriptions of the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 was organized by the Chapter on 23rd July 2011 at PAM Mini Auditorium. The talk started at 9.30am and was attended by 57 participants comprising of architects and architectural graduates.
PAM Sabah Chapter CPD Chairman, Ar. Dr.Tan Jun Kwang welcomed all participants and introduced the speaker, Ar. Chong Lee Siong, MMIArbs, MIFireE for this seminar.
The Fire Safety provisions of the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 is often misconstrued to be restrictive and outdated in its scope, hence limiting architects’ flair and creativity in the realization of our design. However, the basic principles of designing for fire safety and the understanding of the characteristics of fire which is the basis of the formulation of the UBBL is still relevant today. This seminar presented the fundamental concepts of fire safety, interpreting the UBBL and the practical applications of the relevant fire safety codes in Architecture.
Ar. Lo Su Yin, Deputy Chairman of PAM Sabah Chapter presented a book gift – Architecture of Sabah: Resorts and Hotels to Ar. Chong Lee Siong. Vote of thanks is accorded to everyone present for making their valuable time to attend this informative seminar.The presentation ended at 1.00pm.
Saturday, 9th July 2011, PAM Sabah Chapter organized a product presentation on “Green Building Flooring Products Linoleum Presentation” by System Floorings Sdn Bhd held at the Chapter’s mini auditorium. The presentation was attended by 24 participants comprising of architects.
The speakers introduced System Floorings Sdn Bhd is the sole distributor for Forbo Krommenie Linoleum products from Holland in East and West Malaysia. They also specialised in computer raised floorings, imported marbles and granites.
The group Forbo is recognized throughout the world for their quality of its products in flooring materials. Committed to investment, research and continuous improvement, they offer products that are aesthetically appealing and suited to a wide range of applications.
Forbo-Krommenie floor coverings are manufactured in accordance with the strict requirements laid down in ISO-9001 standard. Marmoleum Real, Marmoleum Fresco, Plain Linoleum Walton, Corklinoleum and Artoleum Bulletin Board and Desk Top are manufactured from raw materials, such as linseed oil, natural resins, wood and/or cork flour, limestone and jute. Marmoleum as well as the other linoleum products are highly durable, hygienic, practical, decorative and colourful.
The presentation ended at 1.00pm after Q&A session with lunch. Vote of thanks is accorded to everyone for making their valuable time attending the seminar and to System Floorings Sdn Bhd for the informative product presentation.
Saturday, 25th June 2011, PAM Sabah Chapter organized a product presentation on “Going Green & Safety Glass & Fire Rated Glass System” by Aneka Glass Sdn Bhd held at the Chapter’smini auditorium. The talk was attended by 43 participants comprising of architects and suppliers.
Master of Ceremony, Ms. Shirlyn Thye, Managing Director of Gar Lightglass Sdn Bhd welcomed all and introduced all the speakers, Mr. Leo Breuker as Bridgestone Germany-Sales Director, Mr.Ho Chong Choai as Managing Director of Secuglass Sdn Bhd, Mr. Patrick Mok as General Manager of C3S Far East Ltd and Mr. Mohan Menon as Technical Consultant.
The speakers introduced the new state of art, crime prevention glass, fire resistant glazing system, clear run E1, for use as partitions, alongside fire routes in office, car parks and even shop fronts.
The crime prevention glass is laminated with a special “resin” to enable house owner to achieve “no more grill” concept which always affect the aesthetic of the house and increases risk of being trap during fire hazard. With minimum thickness of 5.5mm glass, Aneka Glass has passed the stringent test in European Standard DIN EN 356 P4A which need to withstand multiple drops of 4.1kg steel ball from 30 feet height.
There are 8 types of product display at the presentation as follows:-
1. Crime Prevention Glass
2. Anti-Bandit Glass
3. Bullet Resistant Glass
4. Anto-Blast Glass
5. Color Laminated Glass
6. Stained Glass
7. Fabric & Other Material Laminated Glass
8. Others such as textured glass, sandblasted & etched glass, ceramic frit printing glass, sculpture glass, stainless steel laminated glass, cracked glass and color coated glass
The presentation ended at 1.00pm after Q&A session with lunch. Vote of thanks is accorded to everyone for making their valuable time to attend the seminar and to Aneka Glass Sdn Bhd for the informative product talk.
A total of 26 architectural graduates including 3 past chairman and 2 Chapter committee members attended the “Architectural Graduate-Get-Together +Dinner” held on 14 June 2011 at the Chapter mini auditorium. The get-together was a fellowship event specially organized to gather all the returning graduates whom the Chapter members would like to meet for a dialogue and interaction with them.
Ar. Yong Ming Cheong, Chairman of the R & D Sub-committee welcomed all the architectural graduates and briefed on the purpose of this gathering. He introduced Ar. Victor Wong, the Sabah representative to LAM Council of Architectural Accreditation And Education Malaysia (CAEM).
Ar. Victor Wong briefed on the purpose of the LAM-CAEM. It was formed under the auspices of the Board to regulate all matters relating to architectural education. He formulated a Sabah lecturing Program for the returning architectural graduates. Through this program it is hopes to bring improvement and changes to the problems that the LAM-CAEM is facing on the declining standards of returning graduates.
Ar. Yong Ming Cheong suggested the architectural graduates to form their own committee. The graduate representative is invited to attend the Chapter Committee’s monthly meeting so as to be aware of current issues discussed.
The dialogue ended at 8.00pm after Q&A sessions and follow with a get-together buffet dinner.
Reported by
Ar. Yong Ming Cheong
(L-R) Mr. Pasdik Francis, En. Mohd. Saifurazzee B. Mohamed @ Hussien, Ar. Paul Lau, Mr. Mursidi Hj. Sapie,
Mr Johnny Samson, Datuk Matius Sator, ar. Sim Sie Hong, Ar. Ho Jia Lit, Ar. Lo Su Yin, Ar. Yong Ming Cheong, Ar. Aaron Fong, Ar. Arnold Kwan
On 12th May, 2011, seven chapter members of the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM Sabah Chapter) led by the Chapter Chairman, Ar. Ho Jia Lit paid a courtesy call to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Matius Sator.
The Chapter highlighted the issue on the referral of development plans to the Central Board for approval. In order to speed up the process, the Chapter recommended that minor amendments made to the layout of the development plans need not be referred to the Central Board again. In an effort to be more transparent and to dismiss misunderstanding on the efficiency of the Central Board approval process, the Ministry agreed to publish the statistic on the number of development plans submitted and approved by the Board and the time for their approval.
In view of the rising costs of properties in the State and the outdated and uncoordinated ad-hoc bylaws and guidelines, the Chapter stressed the importance on the revision of a uniform and relevant residential set back guideline. The Ministry had also agreed to look into the formulation the Sabah Building Ordinance and when such exercise carried out the Ministry would invite the professional bodies to be represented in the committee.
The Chapter has also emphasised that DBKK has already been using a new residential set back guidelines albeit on a trial basis. In Sandakan, the setback guideline is also different. Confusion will arise when the development plans were sent to the Central Board for approval. Very often, they will be rejected as the new setback guideline is inconsistent with the existing by-laws.
In an effort to preserve our environment and the concern for global warming, the Chapter also proposed to the Ministry to incorporate sustainable design criteria into the building by-laws. Encouragements and incentive will be given to buildings which have achieved the GBI (Green Building Index) certification. Some of the simple and basic energy saving design and construction details should be part of the regulation to be complied in new building construction.
PAM Sabah Chapter highlighted that in a recent court case, the property inspection reports prepared by one architect professional were used and accepted as evidence for the assessment of the conditions of the houses in dispute. The Chapter stresses the importance of the inspection reports for cases referred to the Housing Tribunal. As part of the service to the building industries, the charges for the reports are very reasonable.
Reported by Ar. Lo Su Yin
A product talk on Bekaert Coated Wire was organized by the Chapter on 10th May 2011 at PAM Mini Auditorium. It was attended by 21 attendees and started at 9.30am and ended at 12.00pm.
Ar. Aaron Fong welcomed all and introduced the Business Development Manager from Sabah Wiremesh & Fencing Sdn Bhd, Mr. Leong Wah Kon to invite the speaker, Mr. Alex Chin Ying, Sales Engineer from Bekaert Singapore Pte Ltd to present his slide on the Bekaert Coated Wire products.
Bekeart is a global market leader in drawn steel wire products and applications and a technological leader in its two core competences: advanced metal transformation and advanced materials and coatings. In building industry, there are many products from Bekeart for wire mesh in construction. 
The products are:-
1. Stainless steel wire for construction reinforcement (Bekinox ®)
2. Nails, stitches and galvanized staples
3. Wire for structural strands for bridges, roof & outside wall support
4. Annealed wire
5. Ceiling hook wire
6. Coated stainless steel wire for architectural panel & ropes (Bekinox ®)
7. Wire for roof & slate hooks
8. Welded mesh
9. Stainless steel cable tray wire (Bekinox ®)
After the Q&A session, the talk ended with lunch. Vote of thanks to Sabah Wiremesh & Fencing Sdn Bhd on the informative talk and for the generous sponsorship.
International Property Exhibition (IPEX) for year 2011 was successfully organized by PAM Sabah Chapter in collaboration with the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK). The theme for the exhibition this year is “Colours of Our City”. The exhibition began on 21st April 2011 and ended on 24th April 2011. It features 91 exhibition booths. A total of 68 exhibitors comprising interior decorators, landscapers, building material manufactures/suppliers, housing developers, kitchen designers and government agency (KWSP) took part for the event at the Sabah Trade Centre.
IPEX 2011 was officially launched a by Minister of Industrial Development, YB Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Datuk Yee Boon Hai the Director –General of DBKK represented Mayor, PAM President, Ar. Boon Chee Wee, PAM Southern Chapter Chairman, Ar. Azman Bilaji and Deputy Chairman of PAM Sarawak Chapter, Ar. Mike Boon also attended the opening ceremony of the event. 
During the 4 days event, other interesting sub-events such as daily lucky draw, Photography Competition, Edible Architecture Competition, City Kids Children’s Coloring and Drawing competition and Ms IPEX Personality Contest and fashion show were held.
On the first day of the event, the prize presentation for Photography Competition was announced.
The winners were:-
1st Prize – Mr. Lim Ping Seng
2nd Prize – Mr. Tsen Lip Kai
3rd Prize – Mr. Mok Wai Kiong
Consolation prizes:-
1. Mr. Fong Weng Chau
2. Mr. Rizwan Hazeman B. Talikop
3. Mr. Philip Yong Kok Yung
4. Mr. Ding Hee Hang
5. Mr. Henry K.Y.Chin
6. Ar.Victor Wong
7. Ms. Suzeanywati Gasinin
The judging for the sub-event was held at PAM Centre on 12th April 2011. The judges were Ar. Yong Ming Cheong, Ar. William Ho and Mr. Danny Kok, President of Sabah Arts and Photographic Society. The prizes were sponsored by Bluescope Lysaght (S) Sdn Bhd and Monier Sdn Bhd.
Saturday, 19th March 2011, a product talk was organize by PAM held at PAM Centre on “Discovering the Technical and Economical Advantages of Pre-Mixed Ceramic Tiles Adhesives”. The talk started at 9.30am and was attended by 38 participants.
Ar. Yong Ming Cheong welcomed all members and invited the speaker, Ms. Veronica Wong, Retail Sales Manager from Wacker Chemical (South Asia) Singapore to present her slide.
As the market leader in binders, Wacker Polymers has been involved in the development of modern tile adhesives for over 50 years. One of the product introduce by the speaker is Vinnapas.
The Vinnapas product classes for polymer powders have a different category. It is:-
1. VINNAPAS N- The rheologically neutral class.
2. VINNAPAS T- The highly thixotropic class.
3. VINNAPAS F- the class for excellent flow properties without superplasticizers.
4. VINNAPAS H- the class for outstanding water repellency.
5. VINNAPAS L- the class for optimum leveling.
On the second session, the speaker briefed everyone about the product of ceramic tile adhesives (CTA) including all the necessary pre-mixed raw materials such as binder, aggregates and additives at guaranteed mixing proportions. Mr. Ang San Eng, the Product Manager from Lafarge Cement conducted a product demonstration on the mixes and applications of the pre-mixed mortars. 
The product demonstration ended at 11.30am followed with Q&A session. Ar. Yong Ming Cheong thanked all and to Lafarge cement for their generous sponsorship to make the seminar possible on behalf of PAM Sabah Chapter.
