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Jan 2021

Teh Tarik with KK: Growing through Toastmasters

Joyce Shamini 

Some take their time while others prefer to take a backseat, but Cheong Kae Khei, or more fondly known as KK, has set quite the record by actively pursuing public speaking championships through the globally acclaimed Toastmasters International programme.  

KK joined Gamuda Geo in November 2018 as a site engineer and not long after began her foray in Toastmasters. Just recently she took second place at the Division level of Toastmasters International annual speech contest. It is no small feat, as the division consists of 23 Toastmaster clubs spread throughout Selangor and the East Coasts. 

To begin, contestants must first compete at Club level, before advancing through the Area, Division and District levels. It is a nationwide excitement among Toastmasters as people of all ages and backgrounds come together to put their public speaking skills to the test. 

KK may have fallen short of competing at the District level this year, but she has gained plenty from the experience. In our virtual catch up, she offers colourful insights on her rapid growth through Toastmasters, the power of effective communication at workplace and even how to beat stage fright! 

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Jan 2021

Where workers call home in a foreign land

where workers call home in
a foreign land

Worker safety, health and welfare have always been our priority. Workers who are well-rested and happy are productive. Hence we house them in clean, comfortable accommodation at purpose-built Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ). Each CLQ features basic amenities and lifestyle needs to ensure complete worker welfare management.

Additionally, Centralised Quarantine Quarters (CQQ) blocks are available within these CLQs. Pre-packed catering services and dedicated medical teams serve those housed in the CQQs, eliminating contact with the rest of the CLQ residents.

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Jan 2021

Appreciating our migrant workers

Appreciating our migrant workers

Sheena Wong 

According to the World Bank’s estimate, Malaysia is home to 2.2 million registered migrant workers, making us among the ten largest migrant-receiving countries in the East Asia and Pacific region. While most of them serve the plantation sites and factories, the construction sector is the third-highest dependent sector that relies on migrant labour. Within Gamuda, the bulk of our construction workers, security guards, operation and maintenance, cleaners and emergency response team, are migrants.

We have nearly 530 security guards and officers under Bestari Guard Force Security Sdn Bhd. Half of this workforce is from Nepal, as our Home Ministry only allows the hiring of Nepalese for the local security force. 

Similarly, our migrant workers based in Kota Permai Golf and Country Club (KPGCC) comprising caddies, golf course maintenance, housekeeping and kitchen, make up about 52% of its total workforce. The majority of them are from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nepal. 

Some of us might know Buddha Lama, a long-time security guard based at Menara Gamuda with a signature welcome smile. 

Buddha appreciates the added welfare and empathy that his employer has consistently extended throughout his tenure. He recounts a touching point in his life when the company offered monetary aid to rebuild his and his colleague’s homes when the 2015 Nepal earthquake destroyed their homeland.

Buddha and his brother, Kanchha Ram Lama, who is also a security guard at their work station in Menara Gamuda. 

Security guards, Mekh Bahadur Chhetri and Dipak Basnet are some of the familiar faces we see at Basement Level 4, Menara Gamuda.

Another shining example is Emia Nawarita Karina Bangun, an Indonesian in her ninth year of service with KPGCC.

Migrant workers can sometimes feel isolated and devalued as “foreigners” but at KPGCC, Emia felt that her contributions are valued and appreciated by her colleagues. In fact, she has been recognised as one of the best golf caddies in the clubhouse.

(Left) Emia, an Indonesian golf caddy at KPGCC. She is among the runner-up for Best Caddie of the Year, by the Asian Golf Award for two subsequent years (2018 and 2019).  

(Right) Nazmul Sarder, a Bangladeshi golf course maintenance and landscape worker at KPGCC. 

As most migrant workers come from less than privileged circumstances, it is up to their Malaysian counterparts to ensure a safe space and environment to work in. We value their contributions, and more so in these turbulent times.

Video by Rahyu Waris and Joyce Shamini 

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Jan 2021

Our own Tree-mendous arboretum

Our own Tree-mendous arboretum

Sheena Wong

Trees play an important role in our lives and development. Establishing an arboretum allows us to showcase Gamuda Park’s green database accumulated over the past 20 years. We plan to draw on the native knowledge of Orang Asli and scientific findings of arborists to cultivate plant and tree species effectively. These trees will then be relocated to Gamuda developments under the Advance Tree Planting initiative. In this issue, Khariza Abdul Khalid, Chief Operating Officer of Gamuda Parks, shares the top five things that you should know about our very own arboretum. 

1. What is an arboretum? 

An arboretum is a botanical library, or a large garden, where many types of trees are grown for people to enjoy and observe for conservation, leisure or academic purposes.  

In our context, the arboretum is a research centre within the Wetlands Forest Park in Gamuda Cove. It is also contiguous with Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands in the Southern Klang Valley. 

Due to open in 2021, the Wetlands Forest Park Arboretum will exhibit more than 300 protected wetlands species, aquatic plants and marshes. It will fulfil multifunctional objectives for Gamuda Parks, such as forest restoration, floodwater drainage reserve, research lab and seed bank facility. 

Location of the Arboretum Research Centre within the Wetlands Forest Park. 

2. What are the differences between the arboretum and a nursery? 

The Miyawaki planting approach mimics a forest environment. 

3. What are we doing with the planted trees in the arboretum?

As a forest seeding bank and nursing ground for healthy plant stocks, seeds will be gathered for propagation and research purposes during the fruiting seasons. Matured seedlings above 1m in height will be transplanted to townships such as Gamuda Gardens or Jade Hills.  

Priority is given to growing native species and trees with high values under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. Progressive monitoring and observation systems are implemented to ensure a 100% survival rate for these plants. 

This tree planting programme is an example of nature-based solutions that can help to restore our ecosystems. With these measures in place, we aim to plant a million trees by 2023. 

4. What else besides trees in the arboretum? 

In addition to research facilities and educational hubs, the entire park is designated into several botanical zones, namely the Threatened Species Garden, Shorea Forest, Ethnobotanical Garden, Shoreline Fringe, Riparian Fringe, Floodplain Terrace, Berry Garden, Timber Species Garden, Palm Forest, Bamboo Forest and Aromatica Garden.  

Each zone has specific themes and functions to serve. For example, the Ethnobotanical Garden will harness the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and provide information about medicinal plants, herbs and spices, while the Berry Garden will attract birds for leisure bird-watching. 

Most importantly, it houses a comprehensive collection of riparian specimens to stimulate a wetlands forest. 

5. Why do we need the arboretum? 

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. They cover just six to nine per cent of the Earth’s surface but contain about 35% of global terrestrial carbon stock.  

With a high capacity to sequester carbon and store carbon-rich organic sediments, wetlands have become the most vital ecosystems to conserve for global carbon balance check and climate change mitigation.  

The arboretum is therefore critical to preserving these thriving wetlands, promoting wildlife and plant genetic diversity. 

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Jan 2021

Standing firm on staff safety with launch of PCR testing lab

Standing firm on staff safety with launch of PCR testing lab

Adam Anand Row 

As the world saw a resurgence in COVID-19 cases at the tail-end of 2020, Gamuda was taking no chances with the health and well-being of its employees, taking the initiative to establish its very own Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing laboratory.  

The facility, which is the first private initiative in the Malaysian construction industry, was unveiled in early December 2020 at the MGKT Fire and Rescue Depot located at Jalan Chan Sow Lin. The lab, equipped with the latest technology, including two state-of-the-art PCR machines and a dedicated team of in-house medical technicians, has been tasked with screening more than 20,000 personnel working in the various Gamuda business groups. 

Christopher Fenton, MGKT General Manager for Safety, Health and Environment, who spearheaded the project shared, “PCR testing is the gold standard for COVID-19 testing. In-line with the company’s commitment to safeguarding everyone’s health and well-being in the Gamuda family, it was a no-brainer to make the switch to this improved testing methodology. 

“More importantly, we can drastically cut down the time between testing and getting concrete results compared to external labs which is a key factor in ensuring that any infections are quickly identified and isolated. Our effectiveness in ‘breaking the chain’ is exponentially increased, allowing us to better manage the safety of our employees and offer the highest level of preventative protection during this pandemic.” 

The COVID-19 testing laboratory at MGKT Fire and Rescue Depot.

A pool screening technique is used to achieve higher turnaround time in testing, allowing more samples to be scrutinised while still ensuring test accuracy. 

Results from the state-of-the-art Quantstudio-5, Real-Time PCR System are uploaded to a common database for efficient detection and contact tracing if required.

Traceability is a key component of identifying and isolating infections, and thus every member of staff has been issued a personal QR code. This ensures every step from swab taking to lab processing, and the final test result is secured on a common database providing no one slips through the cracks. 

The PCR lab itself, which performs on the level of established labs worldwide, employs a pool screening technique to achieve higher turnaround time in testing. This allows for more samples to be scrutinised while using fewer test reagents, yet only has a negligible effect on test accuracy. 

Compared to a conventional lab, five times more samples can be screened within the same time frame. 

“PCR testing at external labs currently require varied waiting time that can go up to 24-hours before results are available. Not knowing your results for extended periods can be an extremely stressful experience, which we can now avoid by having our in-house lab. The peace of mind from quick results is an intangible but welcome benefit to every Gamuda employee as we continue to work throughout the CMCO. The first round of testing has resulted in some positive cases being identified, however these are all being managed according to the SOPs we have in place.” Chris added.


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Jan 2021

The next centre of gravity in Kota Kemuning

Categories
Jan 2021

Completing the cycle, from plate to plant

Completing the cycle,
from plate to plant

Ong Jee Lian

Since installing a compost machine in the basement of Menara Gamuda in September 2020, a total of 13 food vendors have brought in their kitchen residues to divert food waste from going to landfills.  

We are also heartened to see Gamudians, who played a role in this by contributing their leftovers through our office pantries’ daily collection bins.

At the end of October, despite the CMCO period, we generated 170kg of organic compost from the food waste gathered in Menara Gamuda and used as organic fertiliser in our townships like Gamuda Gardens. 

At the same time, the on-site compost machine at Jade Hills is geared for participation from both their residents and commercial lots. Suzane M. Samy, Sustainability Manager for Gamuda Parks, has been running several awareness and training programmes on using the compost machine there.  

“Ms. Lee, the owner of Le Moon and a resident of Jade Hills, was ecstatic for her restaurant to take part in our waste programme. From these fruitful sessions, it is encouraging to know that our township residents are keen to play a role in reducing their food waste,” she said. 

The value of completing the entire cycle, from collecting and composting food scraps in our plates, to creating healthier organic soil for our gardens, are significant to reducing our carbon footprint as we build sustainable developments. 

Watch this video to learn about our effort to create community awareness on food waste and instil a culture of source separation among residents. 

Looking ahead, we are extending this initiative to our planned Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) in Penang, and similar outreach for other project sites.  

In stretching the Plate to Plant programme, we are reversing the cycle – from the plant back to plate, by exploring solutions in urban agriculture. Growing food in our cities can reduce our household waste and food miles, ensuring supply availability and food security. 

HAVVA’s Farm By The Quay at our Quayside Mall in twentyfive.7 is a leading example of urban farming. By integrating hydroponic, aquaculture, vertical farming, vermiponic and aeroponic techniques into one system, their technology can help us to produce vegetables at home or scale it up for commercial use. 

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Jan 2021

Gamuda Land: 2020 reflection

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Jan 2021

As we march towards the finishing line…

As we march towards
the finishing line…

Dato’ Ir. Wong Wai Ching 

Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic at a magnitude not seen in our lifetime, it can seem impossible to find words to describe what the world is going through.  

What we are facing collectively, is something most of us have never dealt with before – the threat of contagion, the challenges of quarantine, and the possibility and/or reality of major losses, both in human terms and also economically. In this extreme climate, Resilience and Strength have been our strongest ally and companion.  

As we leap into the coming new year, the race to finish Phase 1 of the MRT Putrajaya Line is foremost in all of our minds. The nine stations under Phase 1 are steadily being completed in stages, while system works which can be equated to the nerves in the human body are also being installed. 

Since the beginning of November 2020, our emphasis has been on the testing and commissioning of both the systems and our new electric trains. That being said, the mother of all challenges for Phase 1 is the migration of three active stations currently under the Kajang Line into the new Putrajaya Line which has been progressing in phases since November 2018.  

The full migration will take effect in July 2021. By that time, we would have completed System Integration Testing (SIT) of all of the Railway Systems and Electric Trains covering the entire length of Phase 1 from Kwasa Damansara Station to Kampung Batu Station.  

On-going electric train testing on tracks near the MRT Damansara Damai Station.

MRT Sri Damansara Barat Station with a completed pedestrian overhead bridge.

Before being approved by the authorities to carry passengers, the first Electric Train for Phase 1 must complete 4,000 kilometres (including 40 loops of the whole of the Phase 1 alignment). The remaining 19 Electric Trains scheduled for operation are required to complete 2,000 kilometres (including 20 loops of the whole of the Phase 1 alignment) without any faults (known as Electric Train Fault Free Running or FFR) as well. 

With workforce optimisation  implemented across the Group, MMC-Gamuda was affected too. Thus, we have since modified approaches and adopted creative means of dealing with this constraint technically, operationally, contractually and programmatically. Ultimately, our objective is to attain the highest level of efficiency with cost-effective work approaches.  

In the second half of 2021, we will enter into yet another frantic period as we work towards achieving our next goal, which is completing Phase 2 in time for its opening in July, 2022. The launch of Phase 2 will be trickier as it involves both elevated and underground sections, and consequently, there has to be efficient management of the integration and interfacing between the two.  

Customarily, a project of this scale carries with it common interface-related risks and issues. In the broadest sense, interface is the boundary between two parties or systems, which in the case of the Putrajaya Line are the underground and elevated sections. 

To counter these risks, we established the interface management process from the very early stages of the project’s life cycle itself. This process ensures that all relevant specifics about touchpoints are addressed and shared in a consistent and timely manner between all contractors or work teams. The desired outcome is to reduce the probability of costly mistakes and reworks. 

Throughout 2021, works for the underground section will mostly involve installation and fitting out works including the architectural finishes in the stations, simultaneously introducing the M&E and Railway Systems works. Additionally, the underground stations and tunnels carry certain unique challenges including compliance with mandatory safety requirements comprising emergency fire, ventilation and lighting systems and fittings. 

While we strive and learn to co-exist, fitting into the new normal due to the challenges posed by the pandemic, our anticipation for a vaccine to reach our shores quicker than expected notwithstanding, we are committed to our legacy of completing our projects on time and within cost. 

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Jan 2021

Jan 2021 – Gamuda Rise Newsletter

Emerging stronger, in a new year

Dato’ Ubull Din Om 

My fellow Gamudians, 2020 has been like no other in recent history. The COVID-19 pandemic ground all human activities worldwide down to almost a halt, as borders closed, and lockdowns were announced.  

Even we at Gamuda were not immune to its effects, as we had to take unprecedented measures to keep afloat. We saw our colleagues leaving and while we will miss their contributions, some decisions were unavoidable for the company’s viability. Akin to a ship at sea in troubled waters, we are all in this ship together, and sometimes the captain has to make difficult decisions to keep the boat sailing forward. 

Despite all these challenges, our teams in the different business units have persevered, ensuring work continued while embracing the new normal, and with that major milestones were still met.  

We took active steps to keep employees safe while working. First by implementing Rapid Test Kit (RTK) screening, which was upgraded to a full Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab testing system with the establishment of our in-house PCR Testing Laboratory in November 2020, the first privately-owned of its kind in the Malaysian construction industry.  

These precautions allowed us to continue working throughout the pandemic on projects that could not be delayed like the MRT Putrajaya Line project which is proceeding smoothly. 

While we await for the arrival of a safe vaccine, our single biggest challenge is keeping the entire community in the Group safe to ensure business continuity. Our colleagues in various projects have been working round the clock as it is a collective responsibility to keep ourselves safe. 

Despite the trials faced in 2020, it is heart-warming to note that our other core businesses did well in 2020. Over at Gamuda Land, our property sales rebounded in the last quarter of FY2020, adding RM1 billion to RM2.2 billion of total property sales. Achieving RM1 billion sales in a single quarter is a new record that is truly to be proud of. This achievement illustrates that fast adaptation in varying environments is crucial. 

We have had several wins for the MRT Putrajaya Line, namely the British Safety Council Award, retaking the crown. We have been awarded the Five Star Safety Award for a third consecutive year and thus qualified for the Sword of Honour Award which we also went on to win for the second year running. We are the only Malaysian company to achieve this. 

 

This is a remarkable achievement, and I was told that the audits were focused on our anti-COVID-19 measures across the Group. It is also during this pandemic that the long-awaited signing of the Master Agreement was accomplished for the Penang Transport Master Plan.  

I applaud the efforts of all of our business teams, for continuing to support each other as our ship sails through stormy seas. Your achievements this past year are a testament to your professional attitude to performing well despite the challenges. It is this attitude that is essential as we embrace 2021.   

With the pandemic, a new era of change for businesses has been unleashed as well. Companies have seen the effects of high-consequence and low-likelihood risks first-hand.  

This highlights the importance of ESG (environmental, social and governance) to be part of business operations and decisions. I can’t stress this more as practising the circular economy approach is integral in the way we construct and operate matters. Climate resilience starts with us as builders, and we need to reflect this in our track record as we bid overseas in Australia, Taiwan and Singapore. 

Vaccines are on the horizon, as well as positive opportunities in securing projects in Australia and home ground.  

The new year brings with it hope for clearer skies. With every Gamudian pulling together, I am confident we will successfully sail through 2021 and beyond. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

As we march towards the finishing line… 

Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic at a magnitude not seen in our lifetime, it can seem impossible to find words to describe what the world is going through. 

Gamuda Land: 
2020 Reflection

Despite the challenges of operating in a new normal, Gamuda Land has taken bold steps and achieved RM1 billion of property sales in the last quarter of FY2020. 

Completing the cycle, from plate to plant

Since installing a compost machine in the basement of Menara Gamuda in September 2020, a total of 13 food vendors have brought in their kitchen residues to divert food waste from going to landfills.  

The next centre of gravity in Kota Kemuning 

 

Check out the team behind the new township in Kota Kemuning, twentyfive.7 and Quayside Mall, the first full-fledged mall in the area. 

Standing firm on staff safety with launch of PCR testing lab 

As the world saw a resurgence in COVID-19 cases at the tail-end of 2020, Gamuda was taking no chances with the health and well-being of its employees, taking the initiative to establish its very own Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing laboratory. 

Our own Tree-mendous arboretum 

 

Trees play an important role in our lives and development. Establishing an arboretum allows us to showcase Gamuda Park’s green database accumulated over the past 20 years.  

Appreciating our migrant workers 

According to the World Bank’s estimate, Malaysia is home to 2.2 million registered migrant workers, making us among the ten largest migrant-receiving countries in the East Asia and Pacific region.

Where workers call home in a foreign land 

Worker safety, health and welfare have always been our priority. Workers who are wellrested and happy are productive. Hence we house them in clean, comfortable accommodation at purpose-built Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ). 

 

Growing through Toastmasters 

Some take their time while others prefer to take a backseat, but Cheong Kae Khei, or more fondly known as KK, has set quite the record by actively pursuing public speaking championships through the globally acclaimed Toastmasters International programme