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PAM has organized a Members Night 2010 held at CEO Lounge, Star City, Kota Kinabalu on Friday, 29th October 2010 started  at 7.00pm and ended at 11.30pm.

The function was well attended with a nice mix of corporate and graduate architects.  As the architects were streaming in, a powerpoint presentation of the recent PAM – IPDM visit to Shanghai Expo was shown.

The evening was started off with a speech by PAM Sabah Chairman, Ar Ho Ja Lit and emceed by Ar Rizal Ahmad Banjar.  The mic was passed around so members could introduce themselves.  There were food and drinks abound, with music and pool games enlivening the evening.

 As everybody was enjoying the food, Ar Rizal took the mic and got some of the architects to join him for some oldies tunes accompanied by the in-house pianist.  PAM Sabah theme song composer, Mr. Cheong Kok Ann, after satisfying his huge appetite took over the mic and piano and belted out evergreen songs to the delight of the members.  It was a nice surprise to hear for the first time some of the senior architects like Ar David Kwan, Ar. Lam Choi Sing and Ar Lim Koi Hoe singing, and boy could they really sing!  

Meanwhile, Ar Jebb Liew took the cue (put intended) to challenge everybody for pool game.  There were 16 participants comprising of corporate and graduate architects, and of both genders.  Ar Jebb Liew showed his prowess by beating Ar Victor Wong in the final and thus “sapu” all the pooled bet money.  

All in all, it was great to see the members, mingled around exchanging views, updating each other and of course, telling latest gossips among others.  

After rounds of healthy meal and drinks, sang to the top of their lungs and fellowship, the members left with Great Spirit and huge smiles with everybody looking forward for the next gathering.

 Reported by Ar. Rizal Ahmad Banjar

A seminar on “Marketing for Architects, Color in Architecture & Sustainability and Green Coating” was held on Saturday, 16th October 2010 at Keningau Room, Le Meridian Hotel, Kota Kinabalu. It’s attended by 62 architects. 

Upon welcoming all participants, the Master of Ceremony from Akzo Nobel, Mr. Saiful Rais invited Ar.Ho Jia Lit to deliver his welcome greetings. Thereafter, the MC introduced the 1st speaker, Ms. Ho Pui Ying to present her talk with slide to the audience/ participants. The first session is about “Sustainability and Green Coating”. According to speaker, the Green Label can be used on products which meet the eco standard specified by the scheme concerned, and is recognized as a member of the International Eco-labeling Network (GEN) allowing certification by mutual recognition of SGLS endorsed products by other members of the network. The eco-labeling drive for coating is in tandem with the development of the green building rating tool which is gaining an increasingly strong foothold within the building industry.

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Standing L-R (Committee Member) – Ar. Yong Ming Cheong, Ar.William Ho, Ar.Aaron Fong, Ar.Rizal Ahmad Banjar, Ar.Daniel Koh, Ar. Paul Lau
Sitting L-R – Ar.Sim Sie Hong (Immediate Past Chairman), Ar.Lo Su Yin (Deputy Chapter Chairman), Ar.Ho Jia Lit (Chapter Chairman),
                 Ar. Dr.Tan Jun Kwang (Vice Chapter Chairman), Ar. Arnold Kwan (Chapter Hon. Secretary), Ar. Jebb Liew ( Chapter Hon. Treasurer).

PAM Sabah Chapter 35th Annual Dinner was held at Grand Ballroom, Magellan Sutera Hotel, Kota Kinabalu. The function was graced by Guest of Honor, YB Datuk Haji Hajiji Mohd. Hj. Noor, the Minister of Local Government & Housing. PAM President, Ar. Boon Che Wee, Sarawak Chapter Chairman, Ar. Desmond Kuek and Southern Chapter Chairman, Ar. Azman Bilaji were also present.

This year PAM have decided and adopted this significant “O”, thus the theme is both challenging and difficult one to break away for One Malaysia; we have “Our Planet One World”.

During the dinner, the MC, Ms. Jennifer Linggi and her co MC invited Chapter Chairman, Ar. Ho Jia Lit to present his speech and introduce the newly elected Chapter Committee Member to the audience followed by photo session. After the photo session, MC invited the PAM President, Ar. Boon Che Wee followed by the GOH to present their speech. 

The highlights of the dinner this year was the Official Book Launch of Architect’s Office Practice Manual 2010. The book was launched by the Guest of Honour, YB Datuk Hj Hajiji Hj Mohd Noor, PAM President, Ar. Boon Che Wee, Chapter Chairman, Ar. Ho Jia Lit and Organising Chairman, Ar. Dr. Tan Jun Kwang, after a video presentation of – Architect’s Office Practice Manual. The video presentation was sponsored by Ting Yang Enterprise Sdn. Bhd.

Before the music start, the President of BlueScope Lysaght (S) Sdn Bhd, Mr. Selvaraja K. Nagalingam was invited to the stage for launching the new drum set accompanied by the PAM Band Boys led by Ar. Rizal Ahmad Banjar. The new drum set was sponsored by BlueScope Lysaght (S) Sdn Bhd.

Towards the end of the evening, prizes were given out for the ‘Guess the architect’ contest and Lucky Draws.

The organizing committee for the 35th PAM Annual Dinner would like to thank all those involved for their participation and hard work before, during and after this memorable event.

24 participants including 11 architects and their spouses visited Shanghai Expo 2010 from 9th to 16th of September 2010. The visit was jointly organized by the PAM and IPDM Sabah Chapter. The tour included a direct flight to Seoul, Korea and stopped over there for 2 days before proceeding to Shanghai for the Expo. The group completed a three days walking marathon on the 5.28 square kilometres Expo site at Pudong and Puxi.

On 25th September 2010, The Chapter organized another product talk at the Mini-Auditorium. Two speakers from NSL Eastern Pretech conducted the seminar which started at about 10am. There were 24 participants including 9 architects and 4 building draughtsman attending this “Seminar & Demonstration of E.Mix Plaster & Mortars”.

The first session of the seminar was a briefing cum introductory to the products range of the company by Ir. Ng Kok Peng. He explained and gave an overall view of the products available together with the characteristic of the different types of plasters and mixes. The E.Mix range of premixed joint mortars, wall-finishing plasters, tile adhesives and grouts, flooring products, waterproofing compounds and engineering grouts are extensively employed in the construction field. The advantages include premium quality finishes, ease of applications and future maintenances, speedier completion timeframe, etc. 

  After lunch was the second session conducted by Mr. Sim Beng Hock who gave a practical demonstration on the mixes and application of the plasters with hands-on. Two different products were shown on the audiences. He shares his knowledge on the common defects & their causes, proper protection and cares, the right mixes and methods for plasters and mortars. He was of the view that E.Mix range of products could contribute to the quality and consistency at site as well as their implications to developers, architects and contractors.

The hands-on demonstrations ended at around 2.40pm and Ar. Yong Ming Cheong thanked both speakers on behalf of PAM Sabah Chapter.

Report by Ar. Yong Ming Cheong

On Saturday, 4th September 2010, Chapter has organized an interesting seminar. Topic for the seminar is “Claiming and Processing Extension of Time (EOT) under PAM contract 2006” at PAM Mini Auditorium. This seminar is made possible by a generous grant from MONIER SDN.BHD. The seminar started at 9.30am and was attended by 65 attendees including 41 architects.

Ar. Dr. Tan Jun Kwang welcomed all and introduces the speaker for EOT, Mr. Jerry Sum Phoon Mun from Arkitek MAA Sdn Bhd to present the slideshow. In the building industry, the “Prevention Principal” is the most effective and most used defense by the Contractor against liquidated damages. In such a case, the only remedy left for the Employer is to sue for general damages for such late completion as can be established. The liability left on the Contractor, on the other hand, is to complete within a reasonable time or face general damages for failure.

According to Mr. Jerry Sum from the notes given to all attendees, an EOT claim is initiated by the Contractor. This is because, contractually, the Contractor is responsible to programmed, execute and complete the Works by the Completion Date. As such, the contractor should, or have to know, when the completion of the works will be delayed. The Contractor is obliged to give a “written notice” to the Architect informing him of the Contractor’s “intention to claim such extension of time”. The written notice must contain 3 elements:-

1.    “ an initial estimate of the extension of time he may required” duly supported with
2.    “all particulars of the cause of delay” and
3.    The notice must reach the Architect “within twenty eight (28) days from the date of the AI, CAI or the commencement of the Relevant Event, whichever is the earlier”.

After the short tea break, the speaker, Mr. Jerry Sum describe all “How to process an EOT application?” to all. There are 7 topics in this session. It is:-

1.    Insufficient particulars.
2.    Processing of EOT Claim after Receipt of Sufficient Particulars.
3.    Notifying the Nominated Sub-Contractors.
4.    Relevant Event.
5.    EOT after Certificate on Non-Completion.
6.    Review of EOT after Practical Completion.
7.    Some Implied Duties of the Architect in respect of EOT.

Seminar ended at 1.00pm after the QA session and Ar. Dr. Tan Jun Kwang and Ar. Ho Jia Lit thanked to Ar. Jerry Sum for presenting such a wonderful seminar and Monier Sdn. Bhd. Being sponsor for this seminar.

Reported by Ar. Dr Tan Jun Kwang

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri..Maaf Zahir dan Batin..

From: PAM Sabah Chapter

The 35th Annual General Meeting of PAM Sabah Chapter was held on 07th August 2010, Saturday at 10.0am at the Chapter Mini Auditorium. The AGM was attended by 32 corporate and 1 graduate members.

Ar. Lim Koi Hoe who was appointed as Election Officer earlier on, requested to nominate 3 scrutinizers to assist in vote counting. Ar. Ho Hao Yun, Ar. Yong Ming Cheong and Ar. Soh Kah Wai were nominated by the floor.

The election of the Chapter Committee was conducted in accordance with the PAM Constitution where no floor nomination is allowed. This AGM was both interesting and exciting as there is only one contest which is for the post of Deputy Chairman. There were two nominations received at the close of nominations at 5.00pm on 16th July 2010. The two nominations were for Ar. Lo Su Yin and Ar. Wong Kon Yu, Victor.

Counting of votes was done by the Election Officer, Ar. Lim Koi Hoe and assisted by the 3 scrutinizers when the AGM commenced at 10.23am. The result was announced by the Election Officer, Ar. Lim Koi Hoe after the tea-break at 11.55am. Ar. Lo Su Yin was elected to the post with 39 votes against Ar. Wong Kon Yu, Victor who only garnered 29 votes.

Ar. Ho Jia Lit was re-elected as the Chapter Chairman, Ar. Dr. Tan Jun Kwang retains the same post as Vice Chairman, Ar. Arnold Kwan and Ar. Jebb Liew were nominated and elected without contest as Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer respectively at the close of nominations at 5.00pm on 16th July 2010.

The 6 Chapter Committee members who were nominated and won un-contested were:-
1.    Ar. Paul Lau Sei Ta
2.    Ar. Rizal Ahmad Banjar
3.    Ar. Fong Kean Chong, Aaron
4.    Ar. Ho Chung Ket, William
5.    Ar. Daniel Koh Chung Hou
6.    Ar. Yong Ming Cheong

The AGM adjourned at 1.20pm followed by lunch.

Reported by Ar. Arnold Kwan

A seminar on Professional Indemnity Insurance for Architects and Engineer was organized by the PAM Sabah Chapter on 24th July 2010 at PAM Mini Auditorium. It started at 9.30 a.m. and end at 12.30 p.m.

The attendance was very encouraging. A total of 41 participant including 31 architects were present. Ar. Lo Su Yin introduced the speaker Mr. David and Ms. Susan Law, the manager from Berjaya Sompo Insurance Berhad, specializing on Professional Indemnity Insurance.

The seminar includes various topics on the reason for having a Professional Indemnity Insurance, and the many cases due to negligence in Malaysia. She explained the process of Professional Indemnity Insurance and the Indemnity of losses in event of negligence.

The many aspects of insurance were elaborated in detail by the presenter. Professional Indemnity Insurance is important on the policies sold to specific profession such as engineer and architects will be able to cover the professional for claims made against them for breach and negligence during the course of their services.

It also offers protection against error or omission committed in the conduct of insured profession in that period.
The feature of the policy is on claim made basis that was reported against the insured during the period of the insurance. It excludes the circumstances known to the insured prior to inception of policy period and also excludes to cover for claims arising from work performed prior to the retroactive date.

Special advice includes the Insurer should maintain at least an annual policy to cover their liabilities for activities undertaken by them to ensure that there is continuity in maintaining the insurance so that there are no gaps in coverage and maintain retroactive date of previous policy.

This policy does not replace any existing insurance products (such as Contractor All Risk Policy, Workmen Compensation) it actually compliments the other existing insurance policies.

The second half of the seminar started after a 15 minute of tea-break, with Mr. David making few words of advice.
The response from the floor was very good indeed and questions are most relevance to the architects technical services and professional scope in mind. Through the process of Professional Insurance was explained, there are still so many related questions from the floor, such as how much Professional Services relating to the LAM, PAM, its risk, cost etc…yet to be clarified.

Perhaps it may be a good idea to have a 2nd Seminar in regards to this topic depends on the response. What do you guys say?

As the seminar ended, PAM Vice Chairman, Chairman for CPD Seminar Committee, Ar. Dr. Tan Jun Kwang on behalf of PAM Sabah Chapter extended our sincere thanks and acknowledging the contribution of the speakers for such wonderful presentation.

Reported by: Dr. Tan Jun Kwang

The Chapter was invited by Sabah Chinese High School to present a Career Guidance talk to approximately 150 Science Stream students from Senior 1, 2, and 3 of the school on 31st July 2010. Immediate past chairman, Ar. Sim Sie Hong made a presentation on Architecture and Architectural Practice highlighted the importance of some of the key subjects such as Physic, Chemistry, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry in school which are essential knowledge when practice as an Architect. Ar. Sim also shown the two short films produced by PAM Production namely; “Days Before The Launch” and “Bond 007 vs Charlie’s Angels” to the students. The presentation ended with the Chapter donated three books published by PAM Sabah Chapter – “Architecture in Sabah: Resorts and Hotels” to the school library. The presentation was fruitful with active participation between the students and Ar. Sim during the Questions and Answers session.  Overall the presentation was a success and responds from the students were positive. The Chapter will continued promoting the importance of architecture and planning to the younger generation in other schools of Sabah in the near future.

Reported by Ar. Sim Sie Hong

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