The 19th ISC was held on 18th – 19th May 2017 at the Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. It was themed Technology and Surveying – The Next Generation. It was officiated by YB Dato’ Lee Chee Leong, Deputy Finance Minister, who also officiated the Exhibition of 25 booths.
There was an attendance of 521 participants, comprising surveyors and 31 students sponsored by the Land Surveyors Board Malaysia and the Divisions of Property Management, Valuation and Estate Agency (PMVS) and Building Surveying (BS).
This event garnered the support of 8 Sponsors, 11 Endorsers, 25 Booth Exhibitors and 25 member-firm advertisers.
The papers deliberated over the 1.5 days were:
Day 1:
Keynote Address: By Dr. Ir. Karl Ng Kah Hou, Director, Innovation Capital, Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
Dr. Ir Karl delivered his keynote Address was about the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporaton- Digitising The Malaysian Economy. Key Focus areas which is to Catalyze digital adoption across Industry sector IOT, BDA, Cloud, Platform and sharing economy and Ecommerce. The impact of Digital Adoption in manufacturing and development sector.
Plenary Session 1: Capacity Development
Chair: Sr Wan Ainon Zuraiha Khalid, FRISM
Paper 1: Development and Management of a Global Tech Hub by Dato' Faris Yahaya (Managing Director of Cyberview Sdn Bhd).
His presentation shows the interesting progress and status of Cyberjaya to date and the plans that they have for the future development specifying integration of smart city, live lab and other IT related components.
- Paper 2: Islamic Calendar in Practice and How it is Applied in Malaysia by Sr Dr. Azhari Mohamed (JUPEM HQ, Kuala Lumpur).
His presentation brings out the capability of land surveying to chart the movement of moon that calculate the starting of new Islamic month. He has even predicted the starting date of Ramadhan and Syawal for 2017 and so far, the 1st of Ramadhan is accurate.
- Paper 3: Industry 4.0 v Human System 1.0 by Ms Siti Munirah Maarof (Partner, Tan Norizan & Associates).
She is a lawyer with the niche in Intellectual Property. Her paper discusses the usage of IT in every part of our lives which will affect the jobs and professions in a very near future. She mentions that even legal firms might not exist unless they specialises as the google and Big Data will take over on how information is found.
Plenary Session 2: Readiness of Infostructure and Applications
Chair: Dato’ Sr Lau Wai Seang, FRISM
- Paper 4: Digitisation: Technology and Surveying in a Connected World, by Mr. Albert Chai, MD, CISCO Malaysia.
Mr. Albert’s paper was about connecting the disconnected in the digital world. If the players fail to connect, the disconnect will lead to disruptions of their businesses and possibly displacements over time.
- Paper 5: Zero Budget Facebook Online Marketing, by Mr. Marcus Teoh, Founder of web domain Sworm199.com.
Mr. Marcus showed how a facebook account is able to propel a business exponentially. However, the facebook postings do not give direct implications of the business one is involved with.
- Paper 6: Technology and Questel Infostructure, Global Insight into Innovation, by Mr. Eric Deleglise from Blue Lab Innovation Pte Ltd, Singapore.
Mr. Eric’s presentation showed many examples of traditional businesses that are being displaced due to technological changes. He also highlighted the importance of protecting the intellectual rights of a business.
Plenary Session 3:
- Paper 7: How Land-Form creates Good Feng Shui by Master Kenny Hoo, Chief Researcher & Consultant, Good Feng Shui Holding Sdn Bhd).
Master Kenny presatation was about customized Geomantic service includes an unique Lifepath analysis. Such unique analysis allows the participants to understand their lifepath clearly and achieve the aim of "doing the right-thing at the right-time". Thus GOOD FENG SHUI® helps one to LEVERAGE OPPORTUNITY and MINIMIZE RISKS in life, through GFS Lifepath Management methodology, and makes the efforts more effective. The above said unique techniques help to ensure the customized Feng Shui arrangements take effect within the shortest period of time.
- Paper 8: Good Muscle and Joint Performance by Mr. Ranjider Singh, founder of Therra Keeta Healthcare Centre in Petaling Jaya.
Mr. Rajinder presentation showed how pain develops, Balanced VS Imbalance Joint. The functions of strained muscle and relaxed muscle or ligament. The foot arch types. An explanation about human muscles and Joint. Stages of recovery and maintenance of healthy joint.
Day 2:
Simultaneous Sessions: Quantity Surveying
Chair: Sr Ahmad Suhaimi Abdul Majid, FRISM
Paper 1- The Role of QS as BIM Information Manager and Facilitator by Mr. Tim Sin, Founder of Starke Robotik Sdn Bhd, T&J Solutions Sdn Bhd and Sinar BIM Sdn Bhd.
Mr Tim paper was highlighted about QS being a BIM Information Manager or Facilitator. QS is able to ensure every piece of data information in shared or integrated or exchanged in the right way. QS is able to facilitate the model data information for use in the right stages. At last but not least, QS is able to help the project by using BIM in a more effective and efficient.
- Paper 2- IT-Is that all it takes to be a Great QS?. Presented by Sr Sanusi Md Yunus, The Principal of QSNS Construction Consultants Sdn Bhd.
Sr Sanusi paper has discussed about what a great QS should be, in this information technology and digital revolution. Computer aid measurement has developed tremendously over the last few years. He has emphasized that QS has to embrace technology and equipped with suitable software. He also emphasized that re-branding the QS as great QS influencing and facilitating decision making, giving the best services and maximizing the profits to client.
- Paper 3- Presentation of N3C by Mr. Nazir Mohamad Nor from CIDB Malaysia.
Mr. Nazir paper introduced National Construction Cost Centre (N3C) and its function and purpose. The main objective of N3C is to provide construction cost information with respect to the following:-
- Building materials price, labor wage rate, machinery hire rate & equipment
- Cost indices pertaining to building materials, labor, machineries & equipment.
- Construction costs indices for major building categories.
RISM has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with CIDB to provide continuous Elemental Cost Analysis (ECA).
- Paper 4- Update on BCIC from QS Division by Sr Dr. Saipol Bari Abdul Karim. Quantity Surveying Department lecturer, University Malaya.
Sr Dr. Saipol Bari Abdul Karim presentation was about Building Cost Information Centre (BCIC) and its activities. BCIC provides the guideline of practical task or workshop, which is to assist the candidates to do corrections in the presence of assessors. BCIC Subcommittee members help to expedite the clearance of practical task. In his presentation, he also discussed about the comments from the assessors and gives the guideline how to solve the issues.
- Paper 5- GBI-Practise Notes for QS by Sr Kwan Hock Hai, Director of Perunding PCT Sdn Bhd.
Sr Kwan Hock Hai paper was highlighted the update of GBI including new tax incentive for green buildings and its procedure. He emphases issues of cost procedure and submission. He also give practice note to assist QS in GBI certification especially verifying and certifying the GBI Green Incremental Cost for tax incentives.
Simultaneous Sessions: Property Management, Valuation and Estate Agency Surveying
Chair: Sr Khaidzir Abdul Rasip, FRISM
The session commenced by Sr. Khaidzir introducing the theme “Disrupting The Profession” with the question – is it good or bad? Basically, we have no choice! Although the word “disruption” carries a negative connotation, it is actually a positive phenomenon. So, it is good especially to the ones doing the disrupting. Everyone knows the story of Kodak, Nokia etc which are the Past. We are all aware too about Uber, Airbnb etc which are the Present. How about the Future then? First, cars will soon be replaced with self-driving vehicles which will start to appear by 2018. Professions such as lawyers and doctors have already been affected by IBM Watson which uses Artificial Intelligence to replace human consultation. Financial services is being taken over by FinTech. Even currency may disappear due to new technology such as Google Go where you can enter and exit a grocery store with your purchase without having to stop at the counter. He then introduced the first topic with saying that Internet was created to connect humans. As such, IoT or the Internet of Things is about connecting machines. But will the future then be controlled by machines? No need to worry as the future will be based on collaboration between humans and machines.
- Paper 1: How IoT Technology Adds Values to Real Estate Companies by Mr. Ishmael Fadullah Ho, Director of Ho Chin Soon Research.
Mr. Ishmael’s paper covers the evolution of real estate information such as accessibility of big data and analytics, data patterns and visualisation of data; evolution of "Property Mantra" ie. Location, Location, Location VS Infrastructure & Functionality; and evolution of services due to rapid change. Big data analytics can assist in forecasting future demand but will have to take into account travelling pattern, spending pattern, online habits, past actions etc apart from economic pattern, price and rental pattern and other conventional indicators. Information is there even before it is needed. The new property mantra begs the question whether do developers really build what the market wants? He stressed to USE YOUR IMAGINATION in providing services such as feasibility studies, sales and marketing methods, sourcing for land, and management of communities. He concluded that in an age where information is free, the only thing worth paying for are IDEAS.
Sr. Khaidzir opened for question and answer to the floor. He then introduced the second topic by relating to his experience back in 1990’s, when he was doing property management it was all about preventive maintenance ie. do in advance, more frequent etc. Now it is predictive – what will happen, do in advance, as and when required. The future will be prescriptive – what should you do, when, very specific. However, this requires more data analytics with less human inputs.
- Paper 2: Disruptive Technologies in Property and Facility Management by Mr. Eugene Liu, Principal of PropConsult Services Sdn Bhd.
Mr. Eugene revealed that industry disruption occurs when there’s a better way of doing something through technology utilisation. A such, he asked why be disrupted when technology can be harnessed and leveraged upon? He related this to a typical Property Manager’s experience. It is about managing the entire customer journey in retaining relationships with buyers, owners and tenants. He then introduced some software and mobile app solutions and detailed out how they can help to automate and synergise the said customer journey in a smart way using latest technology. The whole range of products and services can be viewed at the exhibition booth no. 24.
After the break, Sr. Khaidzir introduced the third topic by recapping that in last year’s ISC when he chaired the PMVS parallel session with the theme of “The Game Changers”, he painted a scenario in a football game. This year also to maintain the tradition, he asked how did Leicester City FC managed to win the EPL last season being an outsider? One of the contributing factors was data analytics they did on players, rivals etc. Big data analytics is now itself a game changer. Market study and valuation will need to take into account market behaviour, social trends etc. Even JPPH is looking into self-valuation for property taxation purposes using technology just like how LHDN introduced the self-assessment for income tax.
- Paper 3: Automated Valuation Model - Threat or Opportunity by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buang Alias, Lecturer at UTM Skudai Malaysia.
Prof. Buang’s paper entitled Mass Appraisal And Modelling started with explaining the role of valuer, purpose of value estimates, framework of valuation model that is developed based on short term analysis and identified valuation principles such as anticipation, supply demand, highest and best use, return to scale, contribution, utility etc. He stressed that valuers have to develop a useful applied valuation or appraisal model in an imperfect real estate market. He then introduced a concept where the real estate market can be divided into 4 quadrants based on participants, that can be applied under various market scenarios. He also highlighted that most participants are forced to use or employ the partial equilibrium model to estimate impacts where value is the proxy. He continued to compare between mass appraisal (MRA) and single property appraisal (SPA). Both are systematic methods in arriving at value estimates and went through similar process but differ as to the scope. MRA model have more terms used and replicate the market for more than one user across a wide range of geographical area. SPA model represents the market for one kind of land use and in a limited area. Between the two, quality are measured differently. MRA involves statistics developed from sales of entire area whilst SPA measures worth developed from small number of comparables. However, both adheres to professional standards. Whilst both models are related to applied economics, SPA also adheres to logical systematic methods (data collection, data analysis and data processing). The challenge is real estate market is not perfect. He then raised some questions that justify the reason why we need technology to estimate value. He ended his talk with a demonstration of mass appraisal system he developed.
- Paper 4: Property Buying Trends of Gen-Ys & Millennials by Mr. Khalil Adis, Director of Khalil Adis Consultancy Pte Ltd, Singapore.
Mr. Khalil’s paper is adapted from his book, Property Buying for Gen Y. He started off with the typical habit of buying car upon starting a career instead of property. The car is a need not a necessity and depreciates in value. However, property or house is a necessity and appreciates in value over time. As such, they are apparently a liability and an asset respectively. This leads to the current situation where more Gen-Ys are in debt worsened by the high living cost and inflation rate Malaysia is now experiencing as well as the weakening Ringgit. At the same time, trends show that property prices have steadily increased over time. While this creates the affordability issue, it also means that investment in property is a hedge against inflation. The government has tried to addressed the affordability issue via PR1MA and schemes to help first-time buyers whilst developers have also come up with CSR-related packages. It is therefore, a good time for Gen-Ys & Millennials to start their property hunt! They should look for the most affordable property but with the greatest room for capital appreciation and the first property must be a residential property for own occupation. He insisted on the 5 Checklist in buying a property ie. Check the masterplan, Check transport masterplan, Check for budget allocation from the government, Check for economic drivers, Check for job creation. He then provided some case studies on property buying and area analyses based on the 5 Checklist and ended with some tips on home renovation.
Sr. Khaidzir wrapped up the session with a reminder that in the last 2 days of the 19th ISC, we have seen how technology will break the norms that will affect all of us. Even during yesterday’s PMVS AGM, members raised issues on RISM not being able to attract new members especially from the Gen-Ys and Millennials. We heard, during the plenary session, a speaker revealed that 70% to 80% jobs will disappear within 20 years. This will affect all professions, not just Valuers. There are new technology like Blockchain that will eliminate the middle men. Therefore, we have no choice but to anticipate, adopt and assimilate technology. Notwithstanding all this, it is also said that IoT starts with Value not Technology. Thus as Valuers, we do have a future but we need to reinvent our role. In order to be future-proof, Property Valuer has to evolve to be Property Data Analyst or Scientist. He concluded that we all have to be more like Prof. Buang from now on. With that, he called the session to a close.
Simultaneous Sessions: Geomatic & Land Surveying
Chair: Dato’ Prof. Sr Dr. Wan Muhd Aminuddin Wan Hussin, FRISM
- Paper 1- Geomatic Education in Malaysia based on Outcome Based Education (OBE): A move Forward by Dato’ Prof. Sr Dr. Wan Muhd Aminuddin Wan Hussin & Prof. Sr Dr. Alias Abdul Rahman.
Geomatic Education in Malaysia based on Outcome Based Education (OBE): A move Forward
Geomatic higher education in Malaysia faces several milestones. With the establishment of the accreditation governing body named as the Geomatic Accreditation Council (GAC), this body is responsible for ensuring that all geomatics programs offered by public and private universities in Malaysia adhere to certain set standards and are relevant to current practices and industry needs. The tasks of the council is to describe various aspects of geomatics education in Malaysia offered by public and private universities and its roadmap, the role of the stakeholders, and the overall benefits to the industry, and to continuously monitor the programs offered to ensure that the education standards offered are at par with other institutions around the globe.
- Paper 2- BIM for Geospatial Science by Sr Dr. Ivin Amri Musliman & Sr Dr. Uznir Ujang
BIM for Geospatial Science
BIM that contains all information related to the building such as design, material, financial, estimating and legal considerations, and their project life-cycle can be called as “smart object”. Construction industry has thus become much more complex due to the large number of people and documentations involved. As a result, the full process of building construction may involve with many different types and format of information that needs to collect, document and share. In order to share this information between architect, contractor, construction manager, etc., there are need to develop a common model that can document and store this information in single platform. BIM represents a series of parametric objects that composed together to form a building model which carries all information includes their physical and functional characteristics and project life cycle information. Since BIM represent the detailed geometrical and semantic information of the building, the application of GIS is needed to manage the construction project's information resources. GIS can use information from many different sources, in many different formats and can link data sets together by common locational data such as coordinate or postal zip code. Besides, GIS can use combinations of data sets to build and analyse integrated information and also can convert the existing digital information into a form that meets the user’s need. From this point of view, GIS can complement BIM function in order to develop a systematic platform for construction purpose.
In order to control the full-cycle of construction effectively, technology of GIS and BIM can be useful because GIS and BIM can handle graphical and non-graphical documents, which make it easier to collect construction project information in a central repository. Through the integration between GIS and BIM, users will use the advantages of the one element (either in GIS or BIM) to complement the weakness from the other parties (GIS or BIM). From this point of view, the integration of GIS and BIM can improve the interoperability function which means data sharing problem among the users can be completely solve. This data sharing issues is the critical benchmark in order to evaluate the effectiveness of BIM. In addition, through interoperability function, the function of reused data can be used for different representation by using the same model without recreate back the model. Accessibility of consistent and accurate data by entire project is also improved. In the end, the problems of late project schedule and overrun costs can be resolved.
- Paper 3- The Malaysian LADM Country Profile by Prof. Sr Dr. Alias Abdul Rahman.
The Malaysian Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) Country Profile
The presentation covers various aspects of LADM model for Malaysia. Reality of spatial objects (2D and 3D) could be modelled based on four major classes, namely, Spatial Unit, RRR, BA Unit, and LA Party. Then each could be expanded into various sub-classes. The speaker also described the in-house tool for Strata XML file conversion to LADM. The presentation also highlighted a big picture of the current scenario of the three major databases in the Malaysian Mapping Agency (JUPEM) that need to be integrated and combined for better 2D and 3D spatial data management.
Paper 4- GDM2000 Revision: The needs and its implications by Assoc. Prof. Sr Kamaludin Omar.
GDM2000 Revision: The needs and its implications
The 2004 Aceh megathrust earthquake and subsequent series of earth quakes in this region have significantly contributed to the trend of seismic motions over this region. Malaysia is located near to the Sunda plate boundary and therefore being effected so much by these motions. Therefore to maintain accurate geodetic position determination, GDM2000 datum needs to be revised.
This paper presents an approach to revise Malaysian geocentric datum in a more systematic and scientific approach. Accurate transformation model can be achieved by modelling the normal 7 parameters datum transformation, and in addition, the secular and secular motions of Sunderland also need to be taken into effect. The complicated non-secular motion due to post seismic based on non-linear logarithmic function has been accurately modelled using long term position time series of MyRTK Stations – from 2004 until to date.
Finally the model has been tested and it appears to be reliable and able to achieve 1-2 cm absolute accuracy for position determination in the most recent ITRS realization.
- Paper 5- Advancement of Geospatial Database Engine by Prof. Sr Dr. Alias Abdul Rahman, Suhaibah Azri & Dato’ Prof. Sr Dr. Wan Muhd Aminuddin Wan Hussin
Advancement of Geospatial Database
This presentation describes several techniques of 2D and 3D spatial search engines within geospatial database. The 3D techniques were described in details with some tests on the performance of the newly developed search engine – called CCDC (Clustering and Classification Data Constellation). The new technique performed 40% to 60% better than the commercial search engine i.e. Oracle spatial database.
Simultaneous Sessions: Building Surveying
Chair: Sr Hj Amin Mohd Din, FRISM
- Paper 1: The Access Audit for Accessibility and Connectivity of the Building and Other Amenities to the People With Disabilities (PwDs) in the Built Environment by Sr Dr. Mohamad Ridzuan b. Yahya, MRISM, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor
Sr Dr. Mohamad Ridzuan's paper discussed on the research he and his IIUM's team conducted on the facilities accessible to the People With Disabilities (PwDs) in the Built Environment. It was conducted at the Gleneagles Hospital Medini in Nusajaya, Johor. The results revealed that the existing facilities of the hospital are PWDs friendly. The accessibility and connectivity for PWDs are satisfactory, however there are rooms for further improvement. Most of the external and internal elements of building facilities comply to the MS 1184: 2014.
- Paper 2: Condition Assessment and Inspection of Existing Buildings by Sr Syamilah bt Yacob, from Jabatan Kerja Raya, Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur.
This paper is an extended paper that she delivered at the BCA series of CPD talks. It states the practice of asset management in Malaysia mainly focuses on the building operation, maintenance , space and security management denying the performance monitoring. The inadequacy of asset management has led to building defects, abandoned projects and causes inferior asset life, high maintenance cost and jeopardising the quality of building services.
The results from 23 Building Conditioned Assessment reports of 196,584 square meters floor area further revealed that defects and damage featured in any building were due inefficiencies of building maintenance work and the inability in handling building defects and failures systematically. Thus it depicts negative impact to users and building owners. The performance of building can be measured through its state of conditions. BCA guidelines developed by PWD and implemented in 2013 have been practiced in other countries over the world. The standard for condition assessment, building inspection provides data and condition rating to buildings. The paper concluded that the rating of the buildings achieved the same result and reliable to produce accurate rating for planned maintenance work and budgets. Building inspectors requires skill to identify defects and familiar with reporting procedures to ensure the consistency and appropriateness of BCA to various types of buildings.
- Paper 3: Infrared Thermography Inspection: Basic Fundamentals by Prof. Sr Dr. Azlan Shah Ali, lecturer of University Malaya.
Prof. Sr Dr. Azlan's paper discussed on the latest advancement of the infrared technology. The energy in electromagnetic wavelengths detects thermal pattern across a surface and convert infrared energy to visible light image in a monochrome or multi-colour form. It is widely applied in various sectors where knowledge of thermal across a surface will provide meaningful data about a structure, process or system. He further talked about the latest specifications of the IR camera that is able to be attached to the drones. The results from the camera surveillance enable Building Surveyors and further assist Inspectors to perform more accurate forensic performance on diagnostic analysis and the interpretation of building defects and malfunction of services .
- Paper 4: The Professional Practice of Registered Building Surveyors by Assoc. Prof. Sr Dr. Adi Irfan Che Ani, MRISM, lecturer of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi.
This paper circles around the current challenges faced by the Building Surveyors. It shows the chorological development and BS's effort up to the present. It calls all BSs to come forward, interact, team working and actively involved with the Association of Registered Building Surveyors (MyRBS). It indicates the requirement to attain the required CPD points and stays vigilant on current development of BS Act and render assistance to make it materialised. It shows guidelines to the professional pathway and the proposed standard scale of fees. Thus it offers opportunities to be registered with Ministry of Finance and provide all the advantages for all BSs to stay focus together in to pursuing one course of action.
Click here for the photos of 19th ISC.
