(From left) Wee, Che Saliza, Nazir, Leow, Wan Ainon, Tiong and Ahmad Akem giving the thumbs up at the conclusion of the talks.

PETALING JAYA: More than a hundred attended The Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) and SIRIM Academy’s seminar on harnessing market intelligence, especially pertaining to building materials cost and technology such as blockchain in formulating and authenticating contracts. The seminar was opened to RISM members as well as members of the public.

The opening session featured Building Cost Information Services Malaysia (BCISM Sdn Bhd) Construction Data Analyst Manager Ahmad Akem Mohamad Said, who demonstrated how surveyors can derive accurate cost estimates using up-to-date building material cost information. The company’s platform N3C, short for Building Cost Information Services, offers large datasets for building materials digitally and in a cost book printed yearly. Using N3C’s comprehensive data is especially important for securing tender projects where an accurate cost estimate is key to winning the bid.

Ahmad Akem explained the range of datasets available and how it could help surveyors to make accurate estimates.

Next, digital media and IT specialist Jason Tiong Ket Seing shared the use cases of blockchain in construction, explaining the possibility where smart contracts powered by blockchain will be pervasive in the construction supply chain, project management and all forms of collaborations.

The hybrid seminar also featured the presentation of the Malaysian Construction Industry Market Intelligence Report published by Turner & Townsend, offering the attendees some of the key insights into the report’s market trends and dynamics analysis. Turner & Townsend director and strategic advisor Ong See Lian told the audience that despite challenges posed by economic uncertainty on the global front and labour issues closer at home, strategic investment in technology will open promising opportunities for the construction sector.

Tiong explored the blockchain technology use cases in construction supply chain.

Ong shared insights from the Turner & Townsend report to the audience.

As a finale, a panel discussion was held on the latest findings from Turner & Townsend’s International Construction Market Survey. It featured Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) president Oliver Wee Hiang Chyn, CIBD business environment division general manager Che Saliza Che Soh, and Turner & Townsend country director Leo Leow, with BCISM Sdn Bhd chairperson Wan Ainon Zuraiha Khalid as the moderator. 

Also present was RISM vice president Nazir Muhamad Nor. The seminar was co-organised by the Star Media Group and supported by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIBD), with SIRIM Academy as the event’s sponsor. 

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