Executive Report

At

CERAH HARMONI SDN BHD

NO:1 JALAN BERANGAN 2/1,TAMAN BERANGAN,0800 SUNGAI PETANI,KEDAH

From 17 February 2020 to 18 April 2020

Prepared By

Chin Yeow Koon

Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics (Honours)

Department of Construction Management

Faculty of Built Environment

Tunku Abdul Rahman University College

Kuala Lumpur

2019/2020
Task:

Student is required to discuss with the immediate supervisor to write an executive report on the
problems and challenges faced by the company operation during the MCO period. In the report,
students should highlight the issue(s) and mitigation action(s) with relation to the current
project that they involved during the internship period.

Discussion of the issue

i. Lead time for construction

Lead times are a measure of the amount of time that elapses between initiating a process
and completing that process. On construction projects, lead times typically refer to the
amount of time that elapses between placing and order for a material item and its
delivery to site (Destin, 2020). Lead times may also be affected by variables such as
strikes, holiday periods, inclement weather, and so on. Items coming from abroad, that
require transportation may take longer to arrive, and holiday periods and market
conditions in other countries may also be different. Now, lead times can be affected by
Movement control order in Malaysia.

For example, our site has some material made from other country. Movement control
order is not only for Malaysia, it is global issue to prevent Covid 19. So, it will affected
delivery material delay to our site. Where a long lead time item appears on the critical
path, delays in the delivery of that material item may extend the entire project
programme. This requires careful management, as several items may need to be
delivered in sequence to perform a single task, with delays in any one causing a delay
to the entire project (Destin, 2020).

ii. Cement expired date

Cement is one of the most important materials used in construction. The strength of a
structure depends upon several factor, cement quality is one of them. To achieve the
desired strength of concrete and to increase the longevity of structure good quality
cement should always be used (Potturu, 2017). Therefore, if the quality of cement is
affected by adverse environment during application or the cement has been delivered
for more than three months (more than one month for rapid hardening Portland cement),
it shall be subject to re-inspection and then applied according to the re-inspection result.
During the MCO period, our site may have cement material loss the quality.
iii. To control construction site thief during MCO
From building materials to tools to heavy equipment, construction site theft is an
industry-wide epidemic. Few things can eat into the profits for a job faster than theft
from construction site. All sorts of items are commonly targeted, including hand-held
tools, safety gear, building materials, and even large machinery and its accessories.
Whether lose property via a slow trickle, or a well-organized single strike, everything
that gets taken has to be replaced, and it’s costly.

iv. To control construction site worker during MCO

The supply chain in the construction industry has been badly affected by the MCO.
Many countries have imposed movement controls or lockdowns, causing shortages of
materials. Manpower is also a huge concern, and many foreign workers are not able to
enter Malaysia or leave their home countries due to travel restrictions. Our company
need to take responsibility to control construction site worker during MCO.
Identification of the stakeholders

a) Company
First, it consider reputation of company. Clients will often pay a premium to employ
construction companies they know will deliver their construction project on time. For
many clients time is money. The sooner a project is completed and they can start
operating the project the sooner they can earn money. From this unforeseen situation,
our project site will delay in Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC).Second,
financial problem. Our company who lack the financial reserves will not be able to
sustain the extra financial burden of having to pay both the workers’ wages during this
difficult period.

b) Colleagues
Colleagues can’t work at site. They will continue to operate fully on work from home
basis then coordinate among with colleagues and do filing. They work remotely from
home is the only way. They will have discussion via phone or email.

Mitigation action

i. Lead time for construction

It need to apply Extension of time. Similarly, here to the performance obligations under
the contract will be delayed consequent upon the implementation of the MCO.As
recommended by the Government, any applications seeking for an EOT must be made
to the relevant approving party pursuant to the underlying contract executed by the
contracting parties. Under the Malaysian Institute of Architects (“PAM”) Contract 2018
(with quantities), a contractor may apply to the Architect for an EOT when the delay is
caused by a Relevant Event which includes circumstances beyond the control of the
Contractor, e.g. epidemics, and shall further comply with the procedures, processes and
conditions contained in the PAM Contract as a condition precedent to an entitlement of
EOT. (Tann, 2020).
 ii. Cement Expired date
Cement has lower shelf life and should be used within 3 months from the date of
manufacturing. Post 3 months it has to be tested for its properties. So it is important to
check the quality of cement before using. To check the quality of cement we need to
pass some easy tests which are described below.

1. Date of Packing:

The strength of cement decreases with time. First of all, check the manufacturing date in the
bag before using. Generally, cement should be used before 90 days from the manufacturing
date. Actually more than 2 month the cement not using, the cement being not good quality
(Potturu, 2017).

2. Cement Colour:

The cement should be uniform in colour. Good quality cement should have grey colour with
greenish shade (Potturu, 2017).

3. Check for Lumps:

No lumps should be present in the cement. Lumps are formed due to absorption of moisture
from the climate (Potturu, 2017).

8. Strength Test:

Prepare a cement block of 25 mm x 25 mm and 200 mm in length. Now submerge it in water

for 7 days. Now place it on supports 15 cm apart and load it with 34 kg weight. Block made
from good cement (Potturu, 2017).
iii. To control construction site thief during MCO
Installing strategically placed CCTV that can monitor workers and people who access
the site during MCO period. Strong locks, proper lighting in every corner of protecting
our construction site. Our companies choose to hire a private security guard for off
hours too. They will perform extra patrols by our site during MCO period. It’s vital to
know at every moment who comes and goes from your construction site. We need to
control the gate that can let us know who and when accessed the site, we are able to
have full control over the site (Jones, 2016).

iv. To control construction site worker during MCO

Our company control the worker stay in their site accommodations. Our company also
are helping them, to provide them with food supplies during MCO period.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 outbreak has already significantly disrupted business operations and global
supply chains, including those in the retail and hospitality industry .The construction sector
will prove to be no exception if the outbreak continues to worsen, especially in light of industry
impact of necessary preventive measures taken to curb the outbreak. In light of the outbreak
and uncertainty as to whether the MCO period would be extended, of pressing concern are the
possible delays on the completion of construction projects.

As construction works have been suspended, completion dates would certainly be affected.
This would in turn delay the delivery of vacant possession (VP) of housing accommodation,
resulting in the triggering of liquidated ascertained damages. In light of the current
unprecedented pandemic and the uncertainty that lies ahead, main contractor should start taking
pro-active steps to manage and mitigate all risks, particularly in respect of potential delays to
existing construction projects. This would include reassessing the organisation’s construction
management to ensure operations are better prepared for periods of supply chain disruption.
References
Destin. (9 Feb, 2020). Lead times for construction. Retrieved 14 April, 2020, from Designing
Building Wiki:
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Lead_times_for_construction

Jones, K. (November, 2016). Five Steps for Preventing Construction Site Theft. Retrieved 15
April, 2020, from constructconnect: https://www.constructconnect.com/blog/five-
steps-for-preventing-construction-site-theft

Potturu, Y. (2017). How do I test cement quality? Retrieved 13 April, 2020, from Quora:
https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-test-cement-quality

Tann, R. &. (March, 2020). christopherleeong. Retrieved 15 April, 2020, from Movement
Control Order – How Does It Affect the Construction Sector?:
https://www.christopherleeong.com/media/pdf/CLO_Construction.pdf
Evidence