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HIGHLIGHTS SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH OUR GOLD AWARD RECIPIENT An Interview With Y. BHG. DATO’ SERI SR HAJI MD ISAHAK BIN MD YUSUF Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Seri Sr Haji Md Isahak Bin Md Yusuf needs no introduction in the surveying fraternity. His name is so synonym with the surveying profession particularly as a quantity surveyor. In fact he was the first Bumiputra Quantity Surveyor in the corporate sector in the country. He is an all rounder. Active in all fields. He has achieved uncountable accolades in life that covers the surveying profession, professional bodies, political organization, entrepreneurship, charity, social, sports and many other activities in Malaysia as well as internationally. It is for those achievements particularly related to quantity surveying profession that on the 23rd April 2010, the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia proudly awarded him the Gold Award (Anugerah Emas) which was the highlight of the Malam Anugerah LJBM. Yours truly have the opportunity to interview the proud recipient of this award at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club recently. 2. Before we go any further, for the benefit of those especially young surveyors, can Y. Bhg Dato’ Seri tell us your background. • Bulletin of The Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia 1. Congratulations to Y. Bhg Dato’ Seri for being awarded the Gold Award by the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia recently. How do you feel about this award as compared to other string of awards that are in your possession? First of all I would like to praise Allah The Almighty and I am humbled by this award ANUGERAH EMAS that has been bestowed upon me on 23rd April 2010 by Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia. This award is the culmination of the other awards in my possession. Among them and to mention a few:- • Anugerah Usahawan Cemerlang awarded by Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce • Anugerah Khas Jasa Mu DiKenang awarded by Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce • Balai Ikhtisas Special Award awarded by Malaysian Professional Centre • Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. • Fellow of the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia • Fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, United Kingdom. The Anugerah Emas award is the most treasured award to me because this award is directly related to my profession and I am very proud and honored to receive this award. This could not have been achieved without the support from my wife and children and not forgetting my capable Directors and Secretaries in the office who have given me all the help and support in achieving my goal either in my profession as a Quantity Surveyor, politician, sports, social and welfare activities etc. I was born in 1934 in Penang and being the eldest in the family of 8 siblings, I was lucky to be among a few Bumiputra to be enrolled in the best English school in Penang i.e. Penang Free School, after the 2nd World War. I took this opportunity to map up my goal, that one day I will be recognized among our societies and achieve a professional career that will be respected and admired by family member and friends. I love to play sport and took part in school games i.e. Rugby, Football, Hockey and Cricket. I also took part in athletics i.e. 100, 220 and 440 yards and was awarded “The Penang Free School Colours”. I remember my late father was a strict man who believed that a person will be successful if he is honest and discipline. He has laid down the house rule, that all his children must be back home not later than 6.30 pm everyday. We must have our shower, perform our prayers and have dinner together with him. During dinner he would give a small pep talk and we were not allowed to answer him; just listen and follow what the elders said and no questions asked. After completing school, I obtained my Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1954. I was lucky to receive a Kedah State Government Scholarship and went to Kuala Lumpur Technical College. After completing my studies, I was offered a job in JKR – those days known as PWD and worked in Alor Star and Sungai Petani, Kedah. Again, I was lucky to obtain a scholarship from John Rawlinson Co-Partnership Australia in 1960 to undertake a Cadetship in Quantity Surveying at Perth Technical College now known as Curtin University, Western Australia. In those days, a Cadet Quantity Surveyor will work full time at the office and take time off for lectures at the college. It took me four (4) years to obtain a Diploma/Degree which was the requirement in those days. Immediately after returning to Malaysia in 1966 from Australia I joined a firm known as Suckling & McDonald. After working for four (4) years with Suckling & McDonald, I was promoted as a Partner and the firm was re-named as Suckling, McDonald & Mohd Isahak. The Government of Malaysia launched the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1973 and then with the Malaysianisation Policy, most of the expatriates left Malaysia. In 1975, I bought over Suckling, McDonald & Mohd Isahak and the firm’s name was changed to Pakatan International, Md Isahak dan Rakan-Rakan Sdn Bhd. From then on, I never look back until today. The firm has grown and well known in Malaysia. We have projects locally and abroad and have completed some mega projects in Malaysia i.e. KLIA, Putrajaya Convention Centre, Putra World Trade Centre, Komtar Complex in Penang and Sabah Foundation etc. 14
3. If I am not mistaken you are the first QS who carries the title Dato’ Seri. We are proud of that achievement. Does this achievement spur you to contribute further to the nation and to be the icon for the QS profession? From records you told me that I am the first Quantity Surveyor who carries the title of Dato’ Seri and I believe this is quite correct. This achievement will not come without discipline and hard work and above all I have contributed my time to the society in the form of Sports, Politics, Social Work, welfare activities, Professional bodies etc. Through this hard work and contribution, I had been bestowed the award of “DARJAH GEMILANG PANGKUAN NEGERI” from the state of Penang, which carries the title of Dato’ Seri. After receiving the award, it gives me a stronger conviction to work harder and for the good of mankind to uplift the image of our profession. I have represented our profession and being the 1st Malaysian to sit on the Council of AIQS representing Malaysia and Singapore in the early days. Now I have been appointed as the Senior AIQS representative to look after the Far East region ie. Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei/Hong Kong/India/ Thailand/China etc. I have fostered a good relationship between AIQS and ISM and mooted our reciprocity agreement between ISM and AIQS. 4. Those days, we, the quantity surveyors are always in the background whereas the other disciplines such as Architects and Engineers were in the limelight. Have we managed to change this perception especially with quantum leap in the number of QS in the market now? 6. To the QS profession, your untiring efforts to promote the profession locally and internationally is still burning whereas some of your colleagues are already in the sidelines for various reasons. What is your recipe for the continuous energy in doing all these contributions. Yes, we have made a quantum leap in improving our image not only in numbers but also in our profession. I remember after I came back from Australia in 1966, Quantity Surveyors was hardly known in Malaysia except those people working in JKR, PWD at that time. There were a few firms in private sector in those days. There were 3 or 4 big firms i.e Langdon & Every, Bridgewalter Coulton, Frank & Vergeson and of course Suckling & McDonald. As you have said and it is correct, that the Architect and Engineers are well known and in the limelight because their entire end product can be seen either big or small as it is required by the law that they must be employed by the Client. However, Quantity Surveyors are not mandatory to be employed in the construction industry. During the era of our 3rd Prime Minister – YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed during his 22 years of his Prime Ministership, he had introduced mega projects in Malaysia i.e KLCC Twin Tower, KLIA, Putrajaya, F1 Circuit and North South Highway etc. Because of these mega projects, budget and cost control must be implemented and Quantity Surveyors were roped in and played a very important part as a member of Project Team from inception to completion of the project. Hence the profession of Quantity Surveyor has been uplifted. Today, Quantity Surveyors are equally known among the Architects and Engineers and they have also come in the forefront to become the Leaders/Project Managers to control the Mega projects, thus giving value for money to the Clients. Because of this, we have to make changes to the perception with the quantum leap with the number of Quantity Surveyors in the market now. 5. How do you see the future of QS profession in Malaysia? Having spent some time working abroad and having associated companies all over the world, what is your opinion on the future of the profession in facing the global challenges. In my opinion, our profession is here to stay but we have to keep abreast with the technology changes to face the global challenges. Although BQ is still being used in these days, all Quantity Surveyors must familiarize themselves with IT. Various softwares i.e. RIPACS, Master Bills, Build soft etc. All these must be taught in the Universities and Colleges so that QS in Malaysia can face the global changes in the technology. Added to this, they have to familiarize themselves with the life cycle costing analysis required by the Client and they have to provide supplementary services i.e Arbitration/Mediation, Facilities Management, Assets Management, Due Diligence Assessments, Operation Audits, Risk Management, Tax Depreciation etc. All these capabilities will become asset to young and old Quantity Surveyors. Well in my opinion we have to be disciplined and honest to ourselves in doing our work and at the same time we must also be healthy. To be healthy and keep fit, we must have a balanced diet, exercise etc. We must do a lot of reading and above all we must always keep track on what is happening around the world and we must keep on learning in life till we die. I love to travel and learn about other countries. All these will keep my mind alert and healthy. 7. At the rate you are going, you are the envy of the surveyors especially the younger ones. What is your advice to the QS fraternity to continuously upgrade the profession? My advice is for them is to work hard, learn and play hard and I quote “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. We must involve ourselves in social work, must equip ourselves with knowledge and keep up with the latest developments and you have to read a lot in your spare time. Honesty is the best policy so be honest to yourself. Do not get distracted by incidental things and want to be rich quickly. Once you adhere to these good habits, and with God the Almighty’s guidance and blessings definitely you will succeed and be well known in your profession. 8. Y. Bhg Dato’ Seri is an active sportsman from your younger days and now you are still active in Golf. We are buggy mates for a number of golf tournaments and mind you I think I lost to you most of the time. What is your secret for this and how do you keep yourself healthy and with vigour at all times. Yes, as I have mentioned earlier, I like to play games to keep me fit and healthy. Now at the age of 76, I still enjoy playing golf. I will make sure that I play golf at least two to three times a week if there are no urgent matters to be handled in the office. I managed my time during the day and sleep well at night. I need only 5 to 6 hours of sleep at night. I don’t take short naps in the afternoon like many people of my age do. I spend my day by getting up at 6.00 o’clock in the morning for prayers and continue with various activities the whole day till after 12.30 a.m. After watching the late night news at 12.00 midnight on TV3, I then go to bed. I also must add that, I look after my diet and take vitamin supplements everyday. On weekends, I would spend time with my 8 grand-children including 3 of them who are in Melbourne, Australia taking up various professional courses. I must keep myself busy, by reading and playing golf, talking and visiting families and friends. This will keep me going and I hope God willing, for a longer life. Reported by: Dato’ Sr Abdullah bin Che Mat. Bulletin of The Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia • 15
Page 1 and 2: Bulletin Of The Board Of Quantity S
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Page 17 and 18: news in brief SHORT COURSE ON ‘LO
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