With Best Compliments from - BQSM

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 •
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