Category: July 2022

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July 2022

Let’s Go, ESG!

Let’s Go, ESG!

Yue Vern Loh

In an effort to promote Gamuda’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and its Gamuda Green Plan 2025 (GGP 2025), the first Let’s Go ESG event for Gamudians was held at Gamuda Gardens’ Central Park, recently. 

With a lineup of outdoor activities such as Compost Champion, Bio-SWELL, Pedal Power, Miyawaki’s Legacy and Tree Hunt, participants spent the day learning the basics of the ESG initiatives that drive us towards achieving our GGP 2025 goals. 

Teams ready to begin the game equipped with different modes of transportation which were assigned based on the ice-breaker session.

Participants at the Pedal Power station learn the benefits of renewable energy by taking turns riding the stationary bicycle to light up a LED bar. 

Aside from educating staff on ESG and our commitments to sustainability, the event served as a good team-building exercise to boost employees’ mental and physical wellbeing. “This event was a great opportunity for Gamudians to meet and mingle with colleagues from other townships, especially after almost two years of lockdown and working from home,” Jess Teng, Gamuda Land Executive Director of Product Management and member of the organising committee said.  

“Staff from certain departments such as admin and finance team, may not be directly involved in the township-wide implementation of ESG initiatives. Hence the event provided an opportunity for them to learn more about it,” she continued. 

Participants were split into teams and were given different modes of transportation, such as buggy cars, e-bikes, scooters and tandem bicycles, based on their results in the ice-breaker game. Wong Ee Kang, Gamuda Cove Assistant Manager of Marketing, was in the team that placed last and had to walk from one station to another throughout the event.  “Initially, we thought being the group to start without any vehicles would be a disadvantage to us as the stations are located across the large Central Park. However, when we started walking along the proper walkway shaded by trees, we found it quite comfortable,” he said. 

At the Bio-Swell station, participants learn how to filter lake water using simple materials found at home.

All smiles from Jess Teng (fourth from left) and the winning team after receiving mini terrariums to encourage indoor greenery and a sustainable miniature ecosystem. 

Through Compost Champion, the participants experienced first-hand how easy it is to compost their food waste at home. One of the participants, Reza Azahari, Gamuda Land Senior Executive of Administration, said, “I never realised how simple it is to compost my food waste at home. Even if I don’t compost at home, I can bring the waste to the office, as we have compost bins all over Menara Gamuda. By practising this simple step, I am doing my part to help reduce carbon emissions and turn my food waste into fertilisers that can be used across Gamuda Land townships.” 

There will be more ESG-related events coming up soon, so stay tuned!
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July 2022

A Sustainable Beginning for Penang South Islands Fishermen

A Sustainable Beginning for Penang South Islands Fishermen

Kaarthiega Anantan

Certified seafarers at the “Mate Less Than 500 GT Domestic Voyage (Open)” course graduation ceremony.

In our pledge towards a sustainable future, a group of nine fishermen from the south-end of Penang Island became the pioneering batch to be awarded the Certificate of Completion (COC) for the seafarer course offered as part of the Penang South Islands (PSI) project’s Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP).

Fishermen from the south-end of Penang Island training to become certified seafarers.

The programme aims to optimise PSI’s sustainability potential by helping local fishermen to develop their technical skills and knowledge, as well as keeping abreast of latest fishing and navigation techniques. This initiative is underpinned by our responsibility to protect and add value to the community’s well-being where our business operates. With community-building being an integral part to nation-building, the programme further reinforces our ESG commitments outlined in Gamuda Green Plan 2025. 

After completing the seven-day “Mate Less Than 500 GT Domestic Voyage (Open)” course held at Akademi Maritim Penjana Ilmu, Penang and passing the oral exam at the Marine Department, the fishermen are now certified to handle larger vessels. Equipped with the COC that allows the fishermen to work in national waters as seafarers, they can widen their horizons and work on pontoons and ships of less than 500 gross tonnages. Alternatively, they can offer boat transport services for construction workers and tourists in the future to earn additional income.  

The course, composed of written and oral tests, exposed the fishermen to various maritime subjects – chartwork, basic training, rules and regulations, meteorology, general ship knowledge, general engineering knowledge, and Restricted Operator Certificate (ROC). The variety of offerings in this experiential programme reflects our well-rounded approach towards uplifting the quality of life of local fishermen through sustainable opportunities. 

Dato’ Seri Farizan Darus (third from left) speaking to Gertak Sanggul fishermen about the Social Impact Management Plan.

The programme, which has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the participants, will be a stepping stone to drive the next seafarer course for a new batch of fishermen and other outreach programmes that will open doors to sustainable avenues for the fishing community. 

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July 2022

Making a Difference Through Volunteering

Making a Difference Through Volunteering

Kaarthiega Anantan 

Reflecting on his more than three decades of volunteering journey, he vividly recalled his first-ever mission to the Penan tribe along the Baram River, Sarawak, in 1990, like it was just yesterday. Accompanied by his medical team, the then newly graduated medical doctor travelled to many villages along the river where basic facilities were almost non-existent. 

These early beginnings were crucial in his formative years as they shaped his contribution to the disaster arena. “Medical camps do help poor communities. However, the impact is of limited scope and only offers short-term solutions. We can treat their worm infestations, but unless we teach them hygiene, sanitary methods or the importance of footwear, we are merely caressing the surface wherever we go,” he said.  

This eye-opening experience was a major turning point in his life. His passion for bringing sustainable solutions to those in need inspired him to join CREST. Established in 1998, the non-profit disaster relief organisation trains and mobilises volunteers to provide sustainable humanitarian assistance nationally and regionally.  

CREST distributing essential items to mid-December 2021 flood victims in Sri Muda, Klang Jaya and Termerloh areas.

Dr. Yoong’s journey with CREST started with a solo trip to Nias Island, Indonesia, in 2005 when the powerful 8.4-magnitude Sumatran earthquake wrecked the entire capital city of Gunung Sitoli, destroying essential services, including hospitals. During this mission, he saw how vulnerable victims are forced into more extreme levels of poverty due to loss of livelihoods and he realised this is where crisis efforts must be continued to uplift their socioeconomic status. 

Sustainable programs such as restoring clean water sources, income-generating schemes, and public health methods remain CREST’s cornerstone of a post-disaster recovery strategy. “We address the needs of victims during and beyond the emergency phase by providing durable solutions that will leave long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve,” he explained. 

This statement stands true as he recounted his recent trip to Myanmar. In 2008, when Cyclone Nargis struck the Irrawaddy Delta killing nearly 85,000 people, Dr. Yoong helped build fifteen early child development centres for the local children. “Today, those children have grown to become teachers and nurses. Seeing them contributing back to the community brought  immense fulfilment and served as a reminder that our work is on the right track,” he said.  

Last year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Malaysia, CREST converted two hotels into donor-funded, volunteer-run private quarantine centres to serve about 1,000 patients in the B40 group for free. In line with Gamuda’s group-wide vision to drive our ESG objective, this transformative approach helped CREST bag the SGHA and the coveted Gamuda Inspiration Award (GIA).  

Winning the awards put CREST on the map and created more awareness of its initiatives. “By gaining the mainstream media coverage, we were nationally recognised, and more people have reached out to us for medical advice and isolation spaces. The awards certainly raised CREST to another level,” he explained. Since then,  CREST has been working on various local and international crises.  

  • Conduct Hazard and Vulnerability Workshop with several schools in Temerloh to educate and empower the local community in crisis-preparedness during flood situations.  
  • Provide comprehensive training for CREST volunteers by exposing them to various scenarios and equipping them with the necessary skills needed in a disaster field.  
  • Devise a contingency plan if a need for quarantine centres arises again. The contingency plan includes running a centre to serve those needing home and supervised quarantine.  
  • Deliver a second batch of 1,500 livestock worth RM 40,000 to the 2018 flash flood victims in Laos’s Attapeu district. This is part of the income generation scheme to stimulate entrepreneurship and self-reliance among the victims.  
  • Distributed essential items, including educational materials and cooking utensils, to the 2021 flood victims in Sri Muda, Klang Jaya, and Termerloh areas. 

Even after 17 years of being part of CREST, the 2018 British Council’s Social Impact winner believes his journey as a volunteer has a long way to go and being endowed with good fortune, health and talent comes with significant responsibility and in this case – to serve the less fortunate people. 

“Significant humanitarian ventures are not the result of any single individual. Many nameless volunteers pooled their resources together to achieve what we did over the years. We never embarked on this road expecting recognition. Still, along the way, if we receive any, we owe it all to the thousands of volunteers before us who made this humanitarian work possible,” he explained. 

With many crisis intervention initiatives in the pipeline, CREST looks forward to seeing more Gamudians step forward to deliver sustainable legacies for a better world. “The task that awaits us is to stand together for the betterment of lives that are not as fortunate as ourselves. Let us then bear the torch to lead the way forward for those who sit in darkness after a cataclysmic event,” Dr. Yoong concluded.  

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July 2022

Teh Tarik with Special Bond

Kaarthiega Anantan

Vivian Ng Mee Cheng, Gamuda Engineering Manager of Administration’s journey into the world of autism began four years ago with the addition of Muhammad Zul-Haqim, Admin Assistant of Gamuda Engineering, to her team. With a life motto of giving everyone an equal opportunity, Vivian took Haqim under her wing as part of the Project Differently-Abled. As she embraced the special bond, she found herself in an enriching experience, learning invaluable life lessons. 

This is their story. 

Video prepared by Rafy Hamid

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July 2022

Phase 1 launch marks a major milestone for MMC GAMUDA team

PHASE 1 LAUNCH MARKS A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR MMC GAMUDA TEAM

Adam Anand Row 

Our team members at Gamuda Australia

Opened to the public by Yang Amat Berhormat, Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Phase 1 of the MRT Putrajaya Line was officially launched on 16 June 2022. While the public may only remember the spectacular show during the launch, behind the scenes, it was an extremely important milestone for the MMC Gamuda project team.  

One of the most under-rated departments in MMC Gamuda is the traffic team which is required to interface heavily with both civil construction and stakeholder management teams, as well as the general public. Therefore, a capable and alert traffic team is a crucial requirement for successful urban construction.

Speaking on his experience working on the project so far, Wan Lokman Bin Haji Zainal Abidin, Traffic Manager, MMC Gamuda shared, “There have been many memorable firsts working on the project, like the introduction of the first Impact Protection Vehicle (IPV) in Malaysia. The IPV is a custom vehicle with special features for worker safety during the loading and unloading of Traffic Control Devices during road closure activation. It even has a Crash Attenuator attached to the back. Everytime we had to activate our Emergency Traffic Management (ETM) plan for emergency road closures, my team has been extremely well-prepared and trained, resulting in smooth and effective deployment during any mitigation processes. I’m very proud of the work all of them have done.” 

Civil construction faced massive hurdles due to the pandemic, but we weathered through.  One such leader tasked with bringing Phase 1 to completion is our rail project veteran, Chiew Hwa Aik, Deputy General Manager, PMD-Northern, MMC Gamuda who shared, “This isn’t my first rodeo, so while technical and commercial issues did arise, we already had proven solutions in hand from our experience working on the MRT Kajang Line. The biggest challenge was coordinating with all the different parties involved in a complicated construction like the MRT line to completion. Being able to inspire your team to give their best is also paramount, so I am glad that everyone on the civil construction side pulled their weight in bringing us overall success. It really was a case of teamwork making the dream work.” 

The final stretch of work prior to the Phase 1 launch was squarely on the shoulders of the systems and Electric Train (ET) teams, as they rushed to ensure all operations on the line were working flawlessly.  

Right in the thick of ironing out these last-minute system details was En. Asroll Mansor, Deputy Systems Director, MMC Gamuda, shared, “None of my past experience had prepared me for the many hurdles we faced, like the impact of COVID-19, or heightened public apprehension following a major rail accident. Overcoming the issues we faced required not only next-level technical skills but also maintaining a near-impossible balance between stakeholder engagement and operational progress.  

“During these kinds of experiences, real leadership truly shines, so there were many good lessons to be learned from within our organisation, resulting in an eclectic but unified management style at the top. Personally, it has been a blessing to work in what is, in my humble opinion, the best organisation in the Malaysian rail industry ecosystem. I believe there is limitless potential for the future as we remain focused on completing Phase 2 of the project.” 

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July 2022

Setting our sights farther

Copyright © Gamuda Berhad

SETTING OUR SIGHTS FARTHER

Tim Holmes

The Melbourne team draws on broad industry experiences and diverse backgrounds to deliver the best outcome.

Gamuda’s presence in the Australian infrastructure market continues to grow with the opening of a new office in Melbourne, Victoria. The office is located in the heart of Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) at 303, Collins Street. 

Following hot on the heels of the Gamuda team’s success in securing the Sydney Metro West – Western Tunnelling Package (WTP) and Coffs Harbour Bypass, the opening of the Melbourne office signals Gamuda’s intent to continue expanding our footprint and profile within Australia. 

Currently, the Melbourne team are involved in bidding on two major transport projects – the North East Link Northern Freeway package and the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop. Both of these are, respectively, the largest road and rail projects ever to be delivered in Victoria. 

“We’re very focused on securing these projects and making sure we start our Melbourne journey with successful tenders,” said Brad Jackson, Operations Director for Victoria. 

Working together as one team towards one goal.

“We have a highly capable and dedicated team that’s made up of people with local Melbourne knowledge and experience, combined with team members who have joined us from Malaysia and are able to bring specialist technical expertise in key areas. 

“We’re already seeing the benefits of that approach, and the team are working well together.” 

Country Director, Ewan Yee observed that, although many aspects of tendering were the same in both Sydney and Melbourne, there were also some differences in how projects are approached. 

“In Melbourne, it’s more common to deliver projects under the Alliance contracting model,” he said. 

“That involves a collaborative approach between the client and the contractor, allowing for greater flexibility and risk sharing. 

“But we are also seeing that, regardless of the contract model, our clients across Australia are increasingly focussed on the same things; often, they are concerned about the availability of people and materials needed to build this huge pipeline of projects. There is real competition for resources. 

“That is an area where we think Gamuda can help our clients; not only by bringing additional skilled resources to the market, but also by using our track record of innovation to find smart solutions for the way in which projects are delivered.” 

One thing is for sure – Gamuda has a real focus on continuing success in the Australian market and with more major projects in the pipeline, our business in Australia looks set to keep growing. 

The Submitted Project Bids
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