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THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA LEMBAGA JURUTERA MALAYSIA

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA –


THE WAY FORWARD

ACHIEVING WORLD CLASS WATER UTILITY


COMPANY STANDARD

INTEGRATED RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT

ACCREDITED CHECKERS REGISTRATION

GUIDELINES FOR AN ENGINEER TAKING OVER


THE WORK OF ANOTHER

KDN PP11720/9/2003 ISSN 0128-4347 VOL.22 JUNE-AUGUST 2004 RM10.00 MANAGING FLOOD PROBLEMS IN MALAYSIA

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2 President’s Message
Editor’s Note

contents
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Announcement
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BEM News
6 BEM Dinner
Volume 22 June-August 2004

Cover Feature
8 Water Resources Management In Malaysia –
The Way Forward
12 Achieving World Class Water Utility
Company Standard
21 Integrated River Basin Management

Update
24 Accredited Checkers Registration
25 UNEP Freshwater Unit

6 Professional Practice
26 Guidelines For An Engineer Taking Over The Work
Of Another

Engineering & Law


29 Work Programme – A Contractual Perspective
(Part 2)
42
Management
34 The Managerial Function Of Control For
Consulting Engineers

Feature
38 Managing Flood Problems In Malaysia

50 44 What Is Water Policy And What Is Its Purpose

48 Getting To Know The National Sewerage


Concessionaire (Series I)

Engineering Nostalgia
56 56 That which was... Jalan Bukit Bintang &
Bukit Aman

BULETIN INGENIEUR 1
President’s Message
There are a host of activities relating to water
within the country. Firstly, 2003 was declared the
“International Year of Freshwater” by the UN
General Assembly. Recently the “1st Malaysia Water
KDN PP11720/9/2003 ISSN 0128-4347 VOL. 22 JUNE-AUG 2004 Week” was hosted in June 2004 with seminars and
Members of the Board of Engineers Malaysia
exhibitions. This will be followed by another
(BEM) 2003/2004 seminar on “Water and Waste Water Technologies”
President to be held in August 2004.
YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Hj Zaini Omar
The prominence given to water can be
Registrar
Ir. Ashari bin Mohd Yakub understandable given the current concerns, globally and nationally.
Secretary Water, as the most essential of life-sustaining elements, provides for
Ir. Dr. Judin bin Abdul Karim mankind not only drinking water and sanitation, but also water for
Members of BEM
YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Md Radzi bin Mansor
transport, food, fish, recreation, energy, irrigation and industrial
YBhg. Datuk Ir. Santhakumar Sivasubramaniam processes and so on.
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Hj. Abdul Rashid bin Maidin
YBhg. Datu Ir. Hubert Thian Chong Hui The recent restructuring of Government Ministries to place water-
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Ashok Kumar Sharma
YBhg. Datuk Ir. Md Sidek bin Ahmad related departments under one Ministry, namely water supply,
YBhg. Datuk Ir. Hj. Keizrul Abdullah
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Kok Soo Chon sewerage, drainage and river signifies the focus of the nation towards
Ir. Ho Jin Wah integration of water resources management . With this, the nation
Ir. Yim Hon Wa
Ir. Prof. Ow Chee Sheng
Ir. Mohd Aman bin Hj Idris
expects greater expertise and innovation from the engineering
Ir. Hj. Abu Bakar bin Che’ Man fraternity to support the Malaysian Water Vision 2025 to conserve
Ir. Prof. Abang Abdullah bin Abang Ali
Tuan Hj. Basar bin Juraimi and manage its water resources to ensure adequate and safe water
Ar. Paul Lai Chu
for all, including the environment.
Editorial Board

Advisor
YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Hj Zaini Omar

Chairman
YBhg Datuk Ir. Shanthakumar Sivasubramaniam

Editor TAN SRI DATO’ Ir. HJ. ZAINI BIN OMAR


Ir. Fong Tian Yong
President
Members
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Ashok Kumar Sharma BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA
Ir. Prof. Madya Dr. Eric Goh Kok Hoe
Ir. Prof. Ishak bin Abdul Rahman
Ir. Prof. Dr. Ruslan Hassan
Ir. Prof. Dr. K. S. Kannan
Ir. Nitchiananthan Balasubramaniam
Ir. Mustaza bin Hj. Salim
Ir. Md Amir bin Kasim
Ir. Dr Lee Say Chong
Ir. Chan Boon Teik
Editor’s Note
Ir. Choo Kok Beng

Publication Officer
Pn. Nik Kamaliah bt. Nik Abdul Rahman The article on OSC which appeared in the December
Assistant Publication Officer 2003 issue of Buletin Ingenieur has proven effective
Pn. Che Asiah bt. Mohamad Ali
in informing Professional Engineers of the new
Design and Production
Inforeach Communications Sdn Bhd submitting procedure for Building Plan and CFO
Buletin Ingenieur is published by the Board of
through the One Stop Centre. From inquiries received
Engineers Malaysia (Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia)
and is distributed free of charge to registered
and comments gathered on the ground, views and
Professional Engineers. suggestions sent to the Buletin Ingenieur will be of great help as we
The statements and opinions expressed in this understand that the relevant authority is planning to review and
publication are those of the writers.
improve the guidelines on OSC.
BEM invites all registered engineers to contribute
articles or send their views and comments to the On matters relating to publication, the publication committee
following address: has lately re-examined its role and decided to expand is functions to
Publication Committee
Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia,
other areas such as publication of information booklets, BEM
Tingkat 17, Ibu Pejabat JKR guidelines and compilation of published articles. Suggestions and
Kompleks Kerja Raya Malaysia,
Jalan Sultan Salahuddin views on this matter are invited.
50580 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2698 0590 Fax: 03-2692 5017
E-mail: bem1@jkr.gov.my publication@bem.org.my
Web site: http://www.bem.org.my

Advertising/Subscriptions
Ir. Fong Tian Yong
Subscription Form is on page 54
Advertisement Form is on page 55
Editor

BULETIN INGENIEUR 2
Announcement

ACCREDITED CHECKERS SEMINAR/ROADSHOWS


The Board of Engineers Malaysia is introducing an Accredited Checker Registration in geotechnical
and/or structural engineering works in line with the Section 10B of the Registration of Accredited
Checker, Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2002).
Several seminar roadshows on Registration of Accredited Checkers are planned throughout Malaysia.
All registered professional engineers are invited to attend the Accredited Checkers Seminar scheduled
as follows:

State Venue Date Status


Kuala Lumpur Bunga Room, Pan Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur 10/7/2004 Confirmed
Pulau Pinang Equatorial Hotel, Pulau Pinang 24/7/2004 Confirmed
Johor Puteri Pan Pacific Hotel, Johor Bahru 12/8/2004 Tentative
Kuching Merdeka Palace Hotel, Kuching 13/8/2004 Confirmed
Kota Kinabalu Promenade Hotel, Kota Kinabalu 14/8/2004 Confirmed
Terengganu Grand Continental Hotel, Kuala Terengganu To be advised Tentative
Kuala Lumpur Pan Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur To be advised Tentative

Participants will be charged a nominal fee of RM50 each. All interested participants are requested to
fill in the registration form and return it to the Board two weeks prior to the event.

Conference on Publication
Automation and Calendar
Event Calendar

Computer Networks
(CACN) 2004 The following list is the
Publication Calendar for
Date: the year 2004. While we
normally seek contributions
July 22-23, 2004 from experts for each
special theme, we are also
Venue: pleased to accept articles
relevant to themes listed.
Putra World Trade Centre,
Kuala Lumpur Please contact the Editor or
the Publication Officer in
advance if you would like
Organiser: to make such contributions
Association of Consulting or to discuss details and
Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) & deadlines.
Electrical and Electronics September 2004: ENVIRONMENT
Association of Malaysia (TEEAM) December 2004: FACILITY MANAGEMENT
March 2005: CONSTRUCTION LIABILITY

BULETIN INGENIEUR 4
REGISTRATION FORM

Accredited Checkers  Day Seminar


I/we would like to register for the above seminar.

I/we enclosed payment amounting to *RM ____________________ by cheque/bank draft/money order/


postal order ________________ payable to Board of Engineers Malaysia. Please add 0.50 cent for
outstation cheque.

Name: ..........................................................................................................................................................................................

Professional Engineer Registration No.: ............................................................................................................................

Designation : ......................................................................................................................................................................

Company : ......................................................................................................................................................................

Address : ......................................................................................................................................................................

Telephone : ......................................................................................................................................................................

Facsimile : ......................................................................................................................................................................

E-mail : ......................................................................................................................................................................

Contact Person : ......................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................
Name:
Date:

Terms & Conditions


• Confirmation and reservation will be on first-come-first-serve basis.
• Any cancellation or replacement must be conveyed to the Accredited Checkers Secretariat before the
deadline.
• Paid registration is not refundable for any cancellation made after deadline.
• All completed forms should reach the address below two weeks prior to the event.
*Participants will be charged a fee of RM50 each.

Accredited Checkers Secretariat


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Board of Engineers Malaysia


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Tingkat 17, Ibu Pejabat JKR


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Kompleks Kerja Raya Malaysia


M A L AY S I A Jalan Sultan Salahuddin
50580 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2698 0590 / 03-2696 7095 Fax: 03-2692 5017
E-mail: bem1@jkr.gov.my ; application@bem.org.my ; bem1@streamyx.com
Website: www.bem.org.my
Update

Accredited
Checkers Registration
Following the collapse of Block 1, Highland Tower apartments ii) have at least 10 years relevant practical experience in
on December 11, 1993, the Cabinet decided to implement the design or construction of buildings;
several corrective and preventive actions. iii) have practical experience in one of the following:
Malaysian authorities have been instructed to look into a) Geotechnical
various legislations that regulate the building industry in the 1) Foundations;
country. After careful study of the various Acts, the Ministry 2) Retaining Systems and Reinforced Soil Structures;
of Housing and Local Government found that the Street, and
Drainage and Building Act 1974 needs to be amended to 3) Slope Engineering and Embankments
tighten control of building development especially b) Structural
development on hill slopes. 1) Buildings greater than five storeys;
The Ministry has decided to revise the Street, Drainage 2) Buildings of unconventional construction with span
and Building Act 1974 and Uniform Building By-laws 1984 to greater than 10 metres; and
address the need for Accredited Checkers to enhance the safety 3) Buildings adjacent to existing buildings with
aspect of geotechnical and structural engineering works at complex interaction;
the design and/or construction stage of a project. iv) by virtue of his/her ability, standing in the profession or
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) has taken the special knowledge or practical experience in civil,
initiative to amend the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 to structural or geotechnical engineering he/she is deserving
introduce a registration of Accredited Checkers on geotechnical of such registration, provided
and structural engineering works. This in line with the request a) during the period seven years immediately preceding
from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to the date of his/her application, has been engaged in
maintain a list of Accredited Checkers for the purpose of geotechnical or structural design after registration as
checking structural and geotechnical engineering works to Professional Engineer; and
ensure safety of buildings. b) for a continuous period of one year immediately
preceding the date of his/her application, has had such
What Is Accredited Checker? practical experience in the relevant field gained in
Malaysia; and
An Accredited Checker means a person registered under v) have attended and passed the interview conducted by
Section 10B, Registration of Engineers (Amendment) Act 2002 the Accredited Checkers Committee.
[Act A1158].
The Accredited Checker who shall be an independent How To Apply?
checker*, is required to check the safety aspect of geotechnical
and structural engineering works at the design and/or All applications shall
construction stage of a project done by another engineer and i. be made in Form B3; (obtainable from BEM’s office or
as and when called for by local authorities. www.bem.org.my)
ii. be accompanied by a copy of CV on the qualifications and
* shall preserve his independence and has no professional or financial practical experience highlighting the specific areas and level
interest in the said building checked by him/her. of responsibilities involved in the project(s);
iii. be accompanied by three copies of actual design or review
Why Accredited Checker? report done by the applicant; and
iv. be accompanied by a processing fee of RM50 and a
One of the measures to prevent structural failures on hill registration fee of RM300 in money order/bank draft/cheque
sites is to require the geotechnical and structural designs for made payable to the Board of Engineers Malaysia BEM
buildings to be checked by an Accredited Checker.
The Accredited Checker could be appointed at the All inquiries pertaining to the Registration of Accredited
beginning of the project to enable the Accredited Checker to Checkers shall be submitted to:
work alongside the design engineer. An Accredited Checker Registration Department
could be appointed at any stage as ordered by a local authority Board of Engineers Malaysia
for a new project. Tingkat 17, Ibu Pejabat JKR
Kompleks Kerja Raya Malaysia
Who Can Apply? Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, 50580 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603-2696 7095/96/97/98 Fax: 603-2692 5017
An Accredited Checker shall: e-mail: bem1@jkr.gov.my ; application@bem.org.my
i) be a Professional Engineer registered under the Act in website: www.bem.org.my
the civil, structural or geotechnical engineering discipline;

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 24
Update

UNEP Freshwater Unit


Submitted by Lim Juay Jin

FUNCTIONS Collaborative Efforts To Identify, Assess And


Promote Appropriate Technologies
● Promote integrated management and use of
freshwaters, for freshwater augmentation and drinking water
● Enhance environmental quality and protection on a regional basis are being carried out in
● Promote environmentally-sustainable socio- association with UNEP’s International Environment
economic development. Technology Centre (IETC) and other United Nations
agencies.
In fulfilling this Mission, the Freshwater Unit is continuing
its fundamental work in promoting the integrated The Freshwater Unit also undertaking collaborative
management and use of freshwater resources in efforts with UNEP’s Oceans and Coasteal Areas Unit to
international drainage basins and in facilitating integrated planning activities in freshwater drainage
development of training materials and courses that basins and the coastal areas into which they drain. Initial
contribute to this Mission. UNEP has been designated by efforts focus on the East Asian Regional Seas Programme
the UN Secretary General as the UN agency with activity area and are of particular significance to
responsibility for global mandates for water. Within this governments in the context of the assessment and
mandate, the Mission of the Freshwater Unit is to provide control of land-based sources of aquatic pollution
tools and advice. provisions of the United Nations Convention of the Law
of Sea.
OPERATION
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The Freshwater Unit facilitates the environmentally-
sustainable management and use of freshwater resources, ● The development of innovative techniques and
particularly for internationally-shared water resources. approaches through the publication of a range of public
It is also: information and awareness-building materials on global,
regional and sub-regional freshwater resource problems
Developing And Conducting International, and solutions, including brochures and reports for policy
Regionally-Focused Workshops On: makers, provides the means by which the Freshwater
Unit is contributing to sustainable socio-economic
● The application of region-specific and practical development. In this regard, the Freshwater Unit, in
economic instrumentals, collaboration with UNEP’s GEMS/ Water Programme
● Eutrophication and non point source pollution control Activity Centre, is involved in several fundamental
techniques for management of freshwater resources, components of a multi-agency effort, including synthesis
and of experiences on the river basin scale, in relation to
● The reduction of pollution impacts of mining integrated management of freshwater resources. These
activities. activities complement and support national efforts to
implement Agenda 21.
These workshops and related training materials and texts ● Project management using the environmentally-sound
provide countries with a range of techniques to address management of inland waters (EMINWA) planning
the water-specific issues of sustainable development. framework.
● Technical reports and studies on water issues.
Completing Comprehensive Scientific Reviews Of ● Training courses, workshops and supporting materials,
The Major Geochemical Cycles, specific to their region of application.
● Public awareness materials on water resources
including assessment of their impacts on freshwater management.
resources, to enhance environmental quality worldwide. ● Water resources management technology transfer. BEM

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 25
BEM news

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A
dinner was organized on
May 5, 2004 in conjunction
with the gazetting of the
Registration of Engineers
(Amendment) Act 2002, and in
appreciation of engineers who have
been active in helping the Board of
Engineers Malaysia.
The Guest of Honour for the night
was YB Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu,
Minister of Works, Malaysia. In his
speech, read by Deputy Minister of
Works, YB Dato’ Ir. Mohd. Zin
Mohamed, the Minister encouraged
young engineering graduates to
register with the BEM before they start
practising. To Professional Engineers, YB Dato’ Ir. Mohd Zin Mohamed, BEM President YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Zaini
YB Dato’ Seri Samy Vellu stressed that delivering the Minister of Works’ address delivering his speech
they must not certify works that they
have not supervised ■ be entitled to recover in any ● not to maliciously injure the
BEM President, Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. court any fee, charge, professional reputation, prospect or
Zaini Omar highlighted some of the remuneration for any business of another engineer, and
amendments of the Registration of ● not to canvass or solicit
professional engineering
Engineers Act and reminded all professional employment
services rendered
registered engineers that:
● to uphold the dignity, high
● only full-fledged engineers Among the dinner programmes
registered under the Act as standing and reputation of the was a Certificate Presentation to the
Professional Engineers shall be profession Examiners for Professional
entitled:- ● to have full regard for public Assessment Examination (PAE) and
- to submit plans, engineering safety with complete fidelity to Panel Evaluators for Engineering
surveys, drawings, schemes, client Accreditation Council (EAC).
proposals, reports, design or
studies to any person or
authority in Malaysia
- to practice, carry on business
or take up employment which
requires them to carry out or
perform professional
engineering services
- to be entitled to describe
themselves or hold themselves
out under any name, style or
title:
■ bearing the words
“Professional Engineer” or
the equivalent in any other
language
■ using the abbreviation “Ir.”

and “P.Eng.” before and YB Dato’ Ir. Mohd Zin presenting a special gift to YBhg Dato’ Ir. Ng Chong Yuen,
after his name Immediate Past President of BEM (2002-2003).

BULETIN INGENIEUR 6
BEM news
A group photo of examiners for Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) and Panel Evaluators for Engineering Accreditation
Council (EAC)
(L to R) Ir. Izlan Robert Abdullah, Ir. Prof. Dr. KS Kanan, Ir. Prof. Madya Dr. Mohammad Nor Berhan, Ir. Prof. Dr. Zainal Abidin
Ahmad, YBhg Dato’ Ir. Ng Chong Yuen, YB Dato’ Ir. Mohd Zin Mohamed, YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Zaini Omar, Ir. Chan Cheong Loong,
Ir. Tengku Abdul Aziz Tengku Haris, Ir. Prof. Dr. Yusoff Ali, Ir. Jeena a/l Vengadasalam, Ir. Dr. Ramlee Karim

YB Dato’ Ir. Mohd Zin


Mohamed sharing a joke
with the BEM President

BEM

BULETIN INGENIEUR 7
cover feature

Water Resources Management In


Malaysia – The Way Forward
By YM Raja Dato’ Zaharaton Raja Zainal Abidin, Director General, Economic Planning Unit

W
ater resources sanitation in the world live in Asia. frequency of tropical storms,
development has An estimated 670 million people in widespread outbreak of diseases and
been a catalyst for Asia lack access to improved water declining fish population.
socioeconomic supply, while an estimated 1.9 billion
development of the country. However, lack adequate sanitation, representing MALAYSIAN SCENARIO
the water situation for some parts of 18% and 52% of the region’s
the country has changed from one of population, respectively. Under the Constitution, matters
relative abundance to one of scarcity. According to WHO, a child dies pertaining to natural resources such
The growth in population and every 15 seconds, on a worldwide as land, mines, forest and water
expansion in urbanisation, basis, from diarrhoea, caused largely supply fall under the jurisdiction of
industrialisation and irrigated by poor sanitation and water supply. the states. Water supply becomes a
agriculture are imposing growing Diarrhoeal diseases have killed more Federal matter only if a dispute arises
demands and pressure on water children in the last 10 years than all in the case of a river basin, which
resources, besides contributing to people lost to armed conflicts since crosses state boundary. State
rising water pollution. Any new World War II. Water, sanitation and Governments are responsible for the
development of water resources incurs hygiene interventions have been development, operation and
rising costs, besides having to face shown to reduce sickness from maintenance of water supplies. Since
rigorous scrutinisation from diarrhoea by between 25% and 33%. water is important for socio-economic
environmentalists and Furthermore, as a determinant of development of the nation, the
conservationists. The fact that the quality of life, water is as decisive as Federal Government provides soft
volume of water available is finite and the very air we breathe. loans to State Governments for public
the demand for water is increasing In the Millennium Declaration, water supply infrastructure and grant
indicates that the supply approach in 2000, 191 heads of States and for rural water supply development.
water management is unsustainable. Governments pledged to ‘reduce by At the Federal level, the National
half the proportion of people without Water Resources Council (NWRC) was
WORLD SCENARIO access to safe drinking water’ by 2015. set up in 1998 to pursue a more
The Johannesburg Summit of effective water management,
Water is a global issue. The World September 2002 – the World Summit including the implementation of
Water Vision Report, 2000 on Sustainable Development – inter-state water transfers. To ensure
acknowledged that there is a global brought together tens of thousands sustainable water resources and
water crisis. The crisis is not about of participants, including heads of efficient water supply services, the
having too little water to satisfy our States and Governments, to focus the Federal Government is moving
needs. It is a crisis of managing water world’s attention and direct action towards greater involvement in the
so badly that billions of people -and towards meeting difficult challenges, management of water resources and
the environment- suffer badly. including improving people’s lives water supply services, and the
Lack of water services is one of and conserving natural resources. The implementation of integrated water
the most important physical signs of Johannesburg Summit Declaration resources management.
extreme poverty. As estimated in the agreed that the Millennium The national water supply
Global Water Supply and Sanitation Declaration’s water supply goal coverage in 2003 is 93%, that is 97%
Assessment 2000 Report by World should be extended to include and 86% for urban and rural areas
Health Organisation (WHO) and sanitation as well. Agreement was respectively. The estimated population
United Nations Children’s Fund also reached in developing integrated in 2003 is 24.5 million with urban-
(UNICEF), globally, in the year 2000, water resources management and rural proportion of 60:40.
1.1 billion people had no access to water efficiency plans by 2005. Sewerage services fall under the
improved water supply and 2.4 billion The world would face a bleak Joint List of the Federal Constitution.
were without access to improved future if we continue to adopt The Federal Government provides
sanitation. Two thirds of people business as usual. The potential grant for sewerage infrastructure. The
without access to improved water problems include deforestation, rise provision of sewerage services was
supply and approximately 80% of in sea level, decreasing crop yields, privatised to Indah Water Konsortium
those without access to improved water conflicts, increased severity/ (IWK) in 1993. There are 144 local

BULETIN INGENIEUR 8
cover feature
authorities in the country and IWK has reservoir area of 24 square kilometres. maximise the usage of water, also
taken over the management and Water from Kelau Dam in Pahang will conserves water and thus limits the need
provision of sewerage services in 84 be released to Semantan River via for new supplies. In 1999, the
local authorities. The IWK Concession Kelau River. The Semantan Intake and Government produced a guideline
Agreement does not cover the states Pumping Station will then transfer the entitled Guidelines for Installing A
of Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak. water via dual pipelines to the tunnel Rainwater Collection and Utilisation
The Engineering Division of the inlet. The length of each pipe is 11.8 System, which was circulated to
Ministry of Health provides sewerage km with a diameter of 3 m. The tunnel developers and relevant agencies. The
facilities to rural communities. A transfers the water across the Main guideline documents some of the ways
Sanitation Commission will be Range to Langat 2 Water Treatment in which rainwater can be collected
established to formulate economic and Plant (WTP) in Selangor. The length from roofs of buildings and the practical
safety regulations to safeguard public of the tunnel is 44.6 km and its utilisation of rainwater. More than 50%
interest and promote the development diameter is 5.2 m. During the of the domestic water use does not need
of sewerage and solid waste construction of the tunnel, four adits treated water quality. In June 2002, the
management. will be constructed (that is, two in Government imposed a condition for
In 2002, the provision of sewerage Pahang and two in Selangor) for the the installation of 6-litre toilet flushing
services that falls under the jurisdiction removal of spoil materials. Langat 2 systems in new buildings.
of the concessionaire covers a WTP will be constructed in three The programme of reducing non-
population of 16 million whilst the phases according to the planned revenue water (NRW) and rehabilitation
sewerage facilities provided by the volume of water to be transferred of water treatment plants and
Ministry of Health cover a rural from Pahang to Selangor; First Phase distribution pipes is an on-going
population of 7.6 million. The – 1,000 mld; Second Phase – 500 mld; programme in every five-year
estimated population in 2002 is 24.1 and Third Phase – 760 mld. development plan. In the Eighth
million. Malaysia Plan (2001-2005),
nearly RM1 billion is allocated for
WATER SUPPLY SECTOR the programme of NRW
reduction and rehabilitation of
The increased demand for water supply systems. The
clean water has led to campaigns on water conservation
competition in water use among awareness by the water supply
the various water user sectors sectors and water resources
and the continued economic agencies are undertaken on a
growth will magnify this even continuous basis.
more acutely. The practicable
limit of surface water resources SEWERAGE SECTOR
development has been reached
in regions of high demand, and Sewage is one of the major
it has become necessary to consider Major projects are carried out pollutants of our water bodies. A
inter-basin and inter-state water through a participatory approach in reliable and efficient sewerage system
transfers. order to incorporate the views of the is undoubtedly a vital contributing
The current approaches towards stakeholders in the decision-making factor towards the improvement in
water supply in cities are supply- process. For example, in the case of environmental health of the nation.
driven – when there’s a “shortage”, Pahang-Selangor Inter-State Raw Water The municipal sewerage services are
new sources are developed. This Transfer Project, besides undertaking a provided by the concessionaire and
‘business as usual’ approach is no Detailed Environmental Impact local authorities, whilst the
longer sustainable because of the Assessment (DEIA) of the project, the Department of Sewerage Services is
ever-increasing water demand. Water project-affected people, together with entrusted with the responsibilities of
demand management that focuses on the NGOs that have shown interest in overseeing and regulating sewerage
conservation measures to make better the project, were involved in the development in the country.
use of limited supplies would be an planning process. This participatory The Ministry of Health, through
appropriate approach. approach will ensure that the project- its Engineering Division, implements
affected people will benefit from the the rural sanitation programme. The
Inter-State Raw Water Transfer implementation of the project and most effective and cheap method for
The Government is planning to minimal disturbance is created to the disposal of excreta in rural areas is
implement a major inter-state raw environment. by pour-flush latrines. The
water transfer project, that is, from construction of sanitary latrines
Pahang to Selangor. The project will Water Demand provides the means to initiate the
transfer 2,260 million litres of water Management Initiatives effort to educate the rural population
per day (mld). Water will be captured Business as usual in the water on the use of a more comfortable and
by Kelau Dam, which is an earth dam supply sector is unsustainable. Water hygienic method for the disposal of
with a height of 30 metres and demand management that seeks to excreta.

BULETIN INGENIEUR 9
cover feature

Cities are well-known for being implementing agencies in IWRM and cannot be solved in isolation. It can
polluters of the aquatic environment developing best management only be effectively addressed after
with sewage and municipal practices in IWRM within the the core problems have been
wastewater, industrial effluents and Malaysian context. resolved. These problems include
polluted urban runoffs. The The programmes on river poor governance, low tariffs and lack
Government has undertaken a rehabilitation are carried out on of funds. Measures to resolve the
National Sewerage Project, which is selected rivers with the objectives of problems may include transparent
made up of 13 projects that cover the pollution abatement and water policies, independent regulatory
Klang Valley and the major urban quality improvement. The Klang bodies, a paradigm shift in tariffs,
centres in the west coast of Peninsular River Clean Up Programme involves the involvement of civil society and
Malaysia – Kangar, Alor Setar, construction, maintenance and the involvement of the Federal
Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam, desilting activities, education and Government in water services and
Seremban, Port Dickson and Melaka. beautification programmes, management of water resources.
The project components are made up relocation of squatters, rehabilitation We must rethink water
of 10 sewerage treatment plants of aquatic life, treatment of animal management. Water is everybody’s
(STPs), three centralised sludge waste and water pollution control. responsibility and we are part of the
treatment facilities (CSTF) and a Integrated action plans were solution. We no longer live in the
network with a total length of 117 formulated towards pollution era in which we could have indefinite
kilometres. The National Sewerage abatement and water quality expansion of water services and
Project will be extended into the next improvement in the following rivers: supplies. We have to focus on how
plan period, Ninth Malaysia Plan, Langat, Segget, Tebrau and Skudai. we use water. That’s where new water
2006-2010. will be ‘found’. The water authorities,
THE WAY FORWARD purveyors and consumers must play
INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES their role in water resources and
MANAGEMENT (IWRM) There is a political will to improve supply conservation from capture to
the Malaysian water sector. This is consumption and to wastewater
The management of water manifested in the formation of the discharge.
resources should be based on sound new Cabinet after the recent 11th The effective implementation of
policies and strengthened institutional General Elections. The national water IWRM will contribute to the
arrangements. The first step towards sector is now being addressed with realisation of a sustainable national
IWRM in Malaysia was realised with respect to improving services and water sector. Reforms and initiatives
the formation of Selangor Water conserving resources through the are needed towards providing
Management Authority in 1999. This formation of the Ministry of Energy, adequate as well as an enabling
authority is commonly known as Water and Communications, and the environment for the effective and
LUAS (Lembaga Urus Air Selangor) Ministry of Natural Resources and efficient implementation of IWRM.
and was formed with the aim of Environment respectively. The IWRM formulates and implements a
adopting and implementing IWRM at function of water supply services in course of action involving the
the river basin level within the state the Ministry of Works and the management of water and related
of Selangor. Department of Sewerage Services in resources to achieve optimum
An integrated river basin the Ministry of Housing and Local allocation of water resources within
management project is being Government will be transferred to the a catchment or river basin. The scope
undertaken in two river basins, Ministry of Energy, Water and of IWRM is wide and it may be
namely Selangor River and Kedah Communications. The Department of addressed in the following ways;
River, in order to establish a Irrigation and Drainage (DID) in the integration of different components
framework for integrated Ministry of Agriculture will be of water; integration of water with
management of river basins and their transferred to the Ministry of Natural related land and environmental
water resources. A Sarawak IWRM Resources and Environment. DID is resources; and integration of water
Master Plan Study will also be the custodian of the National with social and economic
implemented during the remaining Hydrological Network and is development.
Eighth Malaysia Plan Period (2001- responsible for flood forecasting and At the international level, there
2005), with the objective of the management of rivers, floods, is a need for sustained and adequate
formulating a master plan for the urban drainage/stormwater runoff financing for the development of
integrated development and and coastal zones. In other words, water supply and sewerage
management of Sarawak’s water DID is responsible for surface water infrastructure in developing
resources. resources. The Department of Mineral countries. This is crucial because the
A national study for the effective and Geosciences that is responsible availability of basic water supply and
implementation of IWRM in Malaysia for groundwater resources is already sewerage infrastructure is a
is being planned with the aims of in the Ministry of Natural Resources prerequisite to economic
creating awareness and generating and Environment. development, poverty eradication
advocacy in IWRM nationwide, An individual problem in the and improvement of the quality of
developing capacity building of national water sector, such as NRW, life of the people. BEM

BULETIN INGENIEUR 10
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Managing Water Supply In Selangor And Kuala Lumpur


Achieving World-Class Water
Utility Company Standard
By Ir. V. Subramaniam, Pengurus Besar Operasi, Perbadanan Urus Air Selangor Berhad

PUAS Bhd, the newly corporatised Selangor Water Management Company is a successor company to
Jabatan Bekalan Air Selangor, taking over its functions and duties to manage the distribution of
potable water to five million consumers including industries and commercial buildings in Selangor
and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Although the production of treated water
and water treatment have achieved world-class standards, there is still much to be done in the
managing and distribution of the treated water to the consumers. This paper highlights several
problems related to the management of water supply in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, and outlines
some strategies to overcome these problems in phases so that water supply managed by PUAS Bhd
will be of world-class standard in all respects.

W
ater supply in modern water treatment plants economic performance and have
Selangor and Kuala equipped with up-to-date water good corporate governance, all of
Lumpur is managed treatment facilities and water quality these benchmarked against some of
by the newly monitoring systems, there is still the leading water utility companies
corporatised Selangor Water much to be done in the managing in the world.
Management Company (PUAS Bhd), and distribution of the treated water
a successor company to Jabatan to the consumers. In recent years, a CURRENT STATUS OF
Bekalan Air Selangor. PUAS Bhd lot of problems have arisen in the WATER SUPPLY
presently manages a supply of 3,500 distribution of water to the
million litres of water per day to about consumers. The major problems Under the Federal Constitution of
1.3 million domestic and industrial surfaced in 1998 when the Klang Malaysia, water supply matters are the
consumers (accounts) in Selangor and Valley was hit by a water crisis due responsibility of the States. The State
the Federal Territories of Kuala to severe drought and suffered from Governments are responsible for the
Lumpur and Putrajaya. water shortage for a period of six development of water resources,
Since the 1990s, the production months. This paper highlights production, operation and
facilities have all been privatised, several problems related to the maintenance of public water supplies
including the development of new management of water supply in in their respective states. The States
source works such as the Selangor Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, and operate the supplies through either the
River Water Supply Scheme Phases 2 outlines some strategies to overcome State Public Works Departments, State
and 3 on a ‘build-operate-transfer’ these problems in phases so that Water Supply Departments, State
basis. The Water Supply Department water supply managed by PUAS Bhd Water Supply Boards or State Water
then, now a wholly State-owned will be of world-class standard in all Supply Corporations, and more
corporatised company, buys the respects. By world-class standard, recently private companies. The State
treated water in bulk from the it means that one does not have any Government of Selangor has been
concession companies, distributes the doubt whatsoever in drinking water operating the water supply in
water to its consumers through a direct from the tap and one could Selangor, including the Federal
network of some 13,500 km of also enjoy the full reliability of water Territories of Kuala Lumpur and
pipelines and does the billing and supply in terms of both quality and Putrajaya, through the State
collection as well. Although it has quantity. A world-class water utility Waterworks Department, which was
achieved world-class standard in company must also provide excellent then the Selangor Water Supply
water treatment construction of customer services, show an efficient Department (JBAS). Since March 15,

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 12
cover feature
the consumers. There is also a
Regulatory Office under the State
Government to oversee and regulate
the water industry in the State. Figure
1 shows the overall structure of the
water industry in the state of Selangor.
Figure 2 shows the respective
responsibilities of the water concession
companies and PUAS Bhd.
Water supply operation in Selangor
and Kuala Lumpur is divided into
seven regions, each managed by a
Senior Manager. The regional senior
managers are responsible for the
efficient and effective operation and
maintenance of the distribution
system, 100% correct billing, 100%
collection, and customer-oriented and
customer-friendly services in their
respective regions. The PUAS Bhd
headquarters is located in Kuala
Lumpur and is responsible for the
overall coordination of the entire
PUAS operations, planning and
development, finance and corporate
affairs including all enforcement and
security measures. The total staff
strength of PUAS Bhd currently is
1,388.
Water resources for Selangor and
Kuala Lumpur are entirely from surface
water sources with the supply drawn
directly from an impounding reservoir
or direct abstraction from rivers
regulated by releases from storage
2002, JBAS was corporatised as a ABASS Sdn Bhd – responsible for reservoirs. The present water resources
wholly State-owned company in the water production while PUAS Bhd is are adequate to meet the water demand
name of Selangor Water Management responsible for water distribution to for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur up to
Company or PUAS Bhd.
PUAS Bhd is responsible for the Table 1: Water Supply Dams In Selangor
supply of potable water to five million No. Dam Year Constructed Storage Capacity
consumers, including industries and 1 Klang Gates Dam 1959 28,000 ML
commercial buildings. PUAS Bhd 2 Langat Dam 1979 37,480 ML
manages a supply of 3,500 million 3 Semenyih Dam 1986 61,400 ML
litres of water per day and 1.3 million 4 Batu Dam 1986 36,000 ML
consumer accounts, including the 5 Sg. Tinggi Dam 1997 114,500 ML
billing and collection. The company 6 Sg. Selangor Dam Under construction 235,000 ML
also maintains a distribution network
of about 13,500 km. PUAS Bhd is Table 2: Water Supply Demand Projections For Selangor And Kuala Lumpur
governed by a Board of Directors Year Demand (Mld) Supply (Mld) Remarks
comprising State Government officials 2002 3,326 3,628 125 Mld ~ Rasa - 1
and members of the public. In general, 2003 3,519 4,028 400 Mld ~ SS3 - 1
the water industry in Selangor consists 2004 3,723 4,028 -
of three main water concession 2005 3,940 4,428 400 Mld ~ SS3 - 2
companies – Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn 2006 4,170 4,428 -
Bhd, Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai 2007 4,413 4,553 125 Mld ~ Rasa - 2
Selangor Sdn Bhd and Konsortium 2008 4,671 4,553 Deficit of 118 Mld

BULETIN INGENIEUR 13
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Table 3: Water Treatment Plants In Selangor And Kuala Lumpur NON-PROBLEMATIC AREAS

No. Water Treatment Plant Year Production Since the 1990s, the operation
Constructed Capacity (Mld) and maintenance/management of
1 Bukit Nanas 1966 136 the source works including the
2 Sg. Langat 1980 477 water treatment plants have been
3 Sg. Batu 1980 114 privatised to three major companies,
4 Sg. Semenyih 1986 636 namely Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd,
5 Sg. Selangor Phase 1 1995 950 Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai
6 Sg. Selangor Phase 2 2000 950 Selangor Sdn Bhd and Konsortium
7 Rasa Phase 1 2001 125 ABASS Sdn Bhd through long-term
Sub-total: 3,388
(25-30 years) concession
8 25 other smaller plants - 240
agreements. Some of these
TOTAL: 3,628
concession agreements also involve
capital works such as the building
the year 2007 and the quality of water tunnel. The present planned capacity of a new dam, water treatment
supplied is in full compliance with of the project is 2,260,000 m3/day. plants and laying of new trunk main
WHO International Standards for Figure 6 shows the projected water pipelines based on the build-
Drinking Water. There are five large demand and treatment works operate-transfer (BOT) concept of
dams in the State operated for water capacity. privatisation.
supply purposes with another dam
under construction. Table 1 shows the
capacities of the various dams in the
State.
Figure 3 shows the location of the
various dams in Selangor.
The demand for water in Selangor
and Kuala Lumpur grows at an
average rate of 6% per year. Table 2
shows the water supply demand
projections and the planning for water
supply until the year 2007.
There are presently six major
water treatment plants and 25 other
smaller water treatment plants in the
State with a total supply capacity of
3,628 Mld, sufficient to meet the
present demand. Table 3 shows the
production capacity of water
treatment plants in Selangor and
Kuala Lumpur.
Figure 4 and Figure 5 show the
locations of the various treatment
plants in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
Beyond 2007, the State
Government, together with the
Federal Government, is planning to
source water from a neighbouring
state. The neighbouring state of
Pahang has been identified for this
inter-state water transfer project,
which is in an advanced stage of
planning and design. Basically, the
project entails the abstraction of
surface water regulated by storage
reservoirs and transfer of raw water
through a 5.2 m diameter 47-km long

BULETIN INGENIEUR 14
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privatisation concession agreements.


Table 4 gives a comparison of the
WHO Standards and the actual quality
of water produced by the six major
privatised treatment plants in respect
of some parameters.
The standard of operation and
maintenance of these privatised
treatment plants has also vastly
improved. In this respect, it is
imperative that the private operators
keep their costs low by cutting down
on wastages, optimising labour as
well as improving efficiency of
operations so as to maintain
profitability. Hence, consumers are
now enjoying an improved level of
service in terms of both reliability and
Ever since the privatisation of for Drinking Water. In fact, it can quality on the production side.
water production facilities, the be said to be of world-class standard
quality of treated water supplied to comparable to those of developed MAJOR PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED
consumers from all of the privatised countries. The reason water quality
treatment plants is much better than has reached world-class standard is Water is essential to life. The
the WHO International Standards the stringent conditions in the recent water crisis in 1998 has shown

Figure 6

Table 4: Average Water Quality Produced By The Major Treatment Plants

Parameter Major Treatment Plants WHO Standard


SSF 1 SSF 2 SEMENYIH LANGAT B.NANAS BATU

Turbidity 0.67 0.6 1.38 1.18 0.51 0.49 <5 NTU


Colour 2.5 <5 6.49 <5 <5 <5 <15 TCU
Ph 7.6 7.45 7.37 7.39 7.43 7.36 6.5 - 9.0
Iron 0.02 0.08 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.02 <0.3 mg/l
Manganese 0.03 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.01 <0.1 mg/l
Aluminium 0.01 0 0 0 0 0 <0.2 mg/l
Total Coliform Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Absent in 100ml sample
Faecal Coliform Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

BULETIN INGENIEUR 16
cover feature
the hardships faced by the consumers as long as 40 or more years, and have distribution network is also expanding
and how seriously their daily lives can deteriorated so much that they are at a fast pace with new connections
be affected by not having a regular easily broken, causing frequent water added on to the existing distribution
water supply, not to mention the disruptions. Each time a burst occurs, system. Inadequate or no redesign of
amount of social and economic the water supply has to be interrupted the changing distribution system due
problems created. Although PUAS for repair works and thereafter to new connections invariably causes
Bhd has achieved the objective of resumed after the repair works are serious problems in the water supply
producing good quality and reliable completed. It is this fluctuation of distribution. For example, areas that
water supply in sufficient quantities, the flow in the pipelines that causes have been enjoying good and adequate
it has also got to ensure that the same the silt or sediments or even rust water supply in the past are now seen
quality and reliability of supply is deposited in the pipes over the years to be experiencing inadequate water
available at each and every to go to the consumer taps, causing supply in terms of low pressures and
consumer’s tap. The consumers the water supply to appear ‘dirty’. This sometimes non-continuous supply.
should not have any doubt about is made worse by the lack of
drinking water straight from the tap; maintenance of the distribution High Non-Revenue Water Losses
neither should they be concerned system in terms of scouring or
about its reliability. flushing of the pipelines and service Non-revenue water (NRW) is the
Recently, there has been a number reservoirs on a regular basis. The difference between metered quantity
of complaints from the consumers same problem is also caused by of water produced at the treatment
regarding frequent water disruptions, frequent reversal of flows in the plants and the metered quantity of
low pressures and also unsatisfactory pipelines due to too much water actually billed to the
water quality. This is also evident interconnection of different supply consumers.
from the increasing number of systems.
consumers installing expensive home The other problem with the For the year 2002, the NRW was
water filters, not satisfied with the distribution system is the inherent poor calculated as follows:
water quality reaching their premises. design which does
In this respect, five major not provide for
problems have been identified, three sufficient scouring NRW = Production - Billed Quantity
of which are related to the distribution facilities and even if (Jan–Dec 2002) Production
system. These problems are: provided, they are of = 44 %
inadequate size thus
● Water quality problems unable to create
● Uneven distribution adequate flow velocities for proper NRW is caused by both physical
● High non-revenue water losses scouring purposes. In most cases, loss of water in the distribution
● Customer service scouring of the system mainly depends system and commercial losses. The
● Financial and manpower problems on the use of fire hydrants, which are components of NRW can be broadly
rather inadequate and not effective for classified as follows:
ROOT CAUSE OF THE this purpose. In some cases, this
IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS situation is further aggravated by Pipe bursts and leaks 20%
having a lot of ‘dead end’ pipes in the Pilferage of water 12%
Water Quality Problems system. Meter under-registration 8%
Most of the consumer premises are Other losses such as
As mentioned earlier, the water also still using galvanised iron pipes reservoir overflows,
quality of treated water produced is and storage tanks for their internal fire-fighting, scouring 4%
in fact in accordance with or better plumbing systems. These pipes and Total 44%
than WHO International Standards for tanks have a limited lifespan of five
Drinking Water. However, this water to seven years after which they begin The chief components of NRW can
has to pass through various portions to corrode, contributing to ‘dirty’ water be divided into the following:
of a distribution system consisting of problem within the premises.
a pipe network of some 13,500 km in (i) Unmeasured legitimate use,
length before reaching the consumer Uneven Distribution which includes:
taps. About 40% or 5,200 km long
of these distribution pipelines are still Selangor and Kuala Lumpur have ● Legal connection, but
made of old asbestos cement pipes always been fast growing in terms of consumption not billed, like
which are actually beyond their development and hence, causing the public fire hydrants used for
service life. Some of the old asbestos demand for water to grow at a high fire-fighting and general
cement pipes have been in place for rate of 6% per year. Consequently, the cleaning

BULETIN INGENIEUR 17
cover feature
Table 5: Consumer Complaints
No. Type Of Complaint No. Of Complaints Total
Jan - Mar April May
1 Pipe Burst 1,938 776 766 3,480
2 Pipe Leak 13,843 5,781 5,923 25,547
3 Low Pressure 1,048 515 473 2,036
4 Dirty Water 444 160 274 878
5 Odour 78 31 1 110
6 No Water 2,424 1,086 1,280 4,790
7 High Bill 2,124 1,374 1,362 4,860
8 No Water Bill 97 34 17 148
9 Meter Lost/Stolen 265 124 96 485
10 Pilferage/Illegal Connection 262 145 215 622
TOTAL: 22,523 10,026 10,407 42,956

Table 6: No. Of Consumer Accounts Compared With Staff Strength company, PUAS Bhd is committed to
excellence in providing drinking
Year No. Of Consumer Total Staff No. Of water that is clean and safe. Hence,
Accounts Strength Consumer the first agenda is to raise the level
Accounts Per Staff of service to the customers.
1992 720,986 1,651 437 Presently, PUAS Bhd receives an
1993 766,750 1,646 466 average of 7,500 to 8,000 complaints
1994 820,372 1,546 531 per month from the consumers.
1995 874,754 1,503 582 Table 5 shows the various types of
*1996 932,860 1,247 748 complaints received for the past five
1997 961,326 1,212 793 months.
1998 989,792 1,242 797 Although most of the complaints
1999 1,145,233 1,200 954 are attended to, the number of
2000 1,196,459 1,163 1,029 complaints is still fairly large, thus
2001 1,262,961 1,123 1,125
affecting the response time. The
2002 1,351,682 1,393 970
main problem here is the lack of
*Note: Following the privatisation of the water treatment plants in 1995, all the manpower or rather the existing staff
treatment plant staff (about 250 staff) were absorbed into the concession companies. strength is below the norm for the
present number of consumer
accounts. Table 6 shows the increase
● Scouring/flushing of pipelines ● Faulty fittings such as leaking in the number of consumer accounts
and cleaning of service air valves, scour valves and in- compared with the total staff
reservoirs line valves strength for the past 10 years.
● Supply using water tankers Figure 7 also shows the staff
during water disruptions (iii) Non-legitimate uses, which strength compared with other states.
● Under-registration of include: Figure 8 shows the manpower size
consumers’ supply meters compared with other major cities.
● Incorrectly read meters or ● Illegal connections, meter
incorrect billings tampering or by-passing of Financial Problems
● Incomplete billings meters
● Squatters or informal PUAS Bhd is presently facing a
(ii) Physical losses, which include: settlements huge financial deficit in excess of
● Unauthorised reconnection of RM400 million a year. This is mainly
● Bursts and leakage in the supply after disconnection due because of the high cost of
distribution network to non-payment of water bills purchasing water from the water
● Leakage through tapping points producers, and the revenue from the
and service connection pipes Customer Service sale of water is barely sufficient to
● Leakage and overflows from pay for the purchase of treated water.
service reservoirs or water Customer Service is a relatively Hence, it is very difficult to meet
towers new area for PUAS Bhd since there other operating, administration and
● Unreported third party damage has been no particular focus on maintenance expenses, let alone
to pipework customer services as a Government financing development projects,
● New connections to existing department previously, apart from just asset replacement or system
mains including pipe diversions attending to customer complaints on improvement and development
and realignment a normal basis. Now as a corporatised works.

BULETIN INGENIEUR 18
cover feature
to the consumers is still very low and
does not reflect the true cost of
producing and supplying water. Figure
9 shows Malaysia’s water rates
compared with other countries. The
third and a very serious reason is the
high non-revenue water losses. This
is made worse by the distribution
system being old and badly in need of
renewal and repair and not having the
necessary funds to carry out such
works. For instance, the replacement
of the old asbestos cement pipes alone
requires funds in excess of RM1 billion.
A further large amount of capital is
required to carry out active leak
detection works and other programmes
in order to reduce the current high
non-revenue water losses.

STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME
PROBLEMS IN PHASES

The problems faced by PUAS Bhd


as outlined above cannot be resolved
overnight. It will need both time and
the necessary funds to solve these
problems. Hence, the proposal is to
solve the problems in phases and
complete the last phase within a
stipulated timeframe of five to 10
years.

Water Quality Problems

The distribution system is the


biggest asset of the Company and
hence, it must be attended to carefully
and methodically. The problem of
‘dirty’ water can be addressed in the
following manner:

● Introduce adequate scours in both


the trunk main pipes and
distribution pipes
● Systematic cleaning and flushing
of all the service reservoirs and
pipelines on a scheduled basis
● All ‘dead end’ pipes must be looped
● Reversal of flows in the pipelines
must be minimised if it cannot be
totally avoided
● Studies should be carried out to
ascertain where ‘dirty water’ is
encountered in order of severity
● There must be adequate and proper
One reason for this situation is Selangor dam and trunk main pipes water sampling stations in the
that the huge cost of financing has been built into the purchase cost distribution system and sampling
source works such as the building of of the treated water. The other should be well timed to ensure
the new treatment plants, the Sg. reason is that the water tariff charged representative results

BULETIN INGENIEUR 19
cover feature

Distribution Problems (ii) Medium/long-term measures ● Fully computerised complaints


to reduce NRW: management centre to ensure
As mentioned earlier, the each and every complaint is
distribution system comprises a large ● Active leakage control attended to within a specified
and complex pipe network some ● Pressure management response time, and complaint
13,500 km in total length. In order ● Renewal/replacement of pipes management as key driver in
to address distribution problems based on a comprehensive improving efficiency and
effectively, the first thing to do is to ‘Asset Management Plan’ service levels
establish a comprehensive and ● Consumer meter exchange ● Address manpower problems
computerised mapping of the entire programme/meter effectively to ensure customer
system. The system must also be management and maintenance satisfaction
complete with: ● New metering policies and ● Promote better customer
technologies awareness and customer
● Hydraulic network modelling ● Scheduled inspection and education
● Pressure management and maintenance/repair of all
pressure monitoring systems service reservoirs to prevent Financial Problems
● Flows and reservoir levels overflows and leakage
measurement and monitoring including all air valves, scour The current huge financial
systems valves and in-line valves deficit is in essence the basic
● Telemetry/SCADA/GIS systems ● For new development, problem which must be resolved
pressure and leakage tests of before trying to solve the other
Hence, the performance of the pipelines to be carried out problems. Solutions are:
distribution system must be after tapping for service
constantly monitored through a connections ● Federal Government assistance
central control system. The impact of ● Use of proven quality ● Raise water tariff
materials and standards in the ● Other sources of revenue/
every new tee connection to a new
distribution system charges/taxes
development must be hydraulically
● Water loss due to third party
checked to ensure that the existing
damage to pipelines or new CONCLUSION
consumers are not affected.
connections including pipe
diversions and realignment to Taking into consideration all the
Non-Revenue Water Losses
be charged problems highlighted above and the
● Continuous and strict current huge financial deficit faced
This is a very serious problem and
enforcement against pilferage by PUAS Bhd, something has to be
no effort should be spared in reducing
of water done very quickly. The consumers
the NRW.
● Target NRW reduction of 2% are in fact getting to be very
per year to 15% by the year impatient, judging from the
(i) Immediate action to reduce
2015, as well as monitoring of number and types of complaints
NRW:
unit cost of overall NRW received. Hence, every effort has
reduction programme got to be made to change the
● 100% billing through new
current situation and to win back
billing system called ‘S2B’ and Customer Service customer confidence. In line with
ensuring correct billing PUAS Bhd’s Mission Statement of
through close monitoring of One of the important using information technology to
individual consumption characteristics of a successful gain competitive edge and to be
patterns organisation is the ability to put more cost-effective, the Company
● Consumer supply meter change customer satisfaction as utmost is now moving towards a Total
‘crash’ programme priority. Described as a customer- Operation Management System
● An integrated operation to stop driven organisation, PUAS Bhd will (TOMS) which is an integrated suite
pilferage of water, including emphasise proactive listening to of applications that automate the
disconnecting all squatters’ customers’ needs. provisioning and sustaining of the
supply and giving them proper service delivery network of a water
metered supplies ● Establish customer service levels company. PUAS Bhd is committed
● Water for fire-fighting or any ● Establish Customer Service to stay focused in its efforts to
other use from fire hydrants to Department to focus on customer achieve world-class water utility
be charged services and customer relations company standard. BEM

BULETIN INGENIEUR 20
cover feature
Integrated River
Water Resources Management In
MalaysiaManagement
Basin – The Way Forward
By Datuk Ir. Hj. Keizrul Abdullah, Director-General, Department of Irrigation and Drainage; and Bo Christensen,
Chief Technical Advisor, IRBM Project

T
he problems are well-known. and management of water resources
Malaysia is rich in water on a river basin basis.
resources, but the demand This policy is not unique. The
for clean water is increasing World Summit for Sustainable
rapidly and shortage occurs during Development (WSSD), held in
dry periods. During the monsoon, Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002,
floods disrupt the lives of many called for every nation to institute
people and cause substantial holistic management of water
damages, destruction of property and resources and set targets to develop
loss of lives. Water quality is also a national integrated water resources
problem. Though many rivers are still management by 2005. The Third
in good condition, some are severely World Water Forum (3WWF) held in
polluted with silt, sewage and solid Kyoto, Japan the following year, also
waste. stressed on the need for an integrated
The causes of the problems are approach, as have many other
complex and cannot be solved meetings. Hence, this trend towards
overnight, while the traditional way integration is global.
of addressing the problems in a basin. That is what Integrated River
fragmented manner has proven to be Basin Management (IRBM) is all How?
insufficient. In addition, roles, about.
responsibilities and authority are not IRBM is not a technical solution. Like ‘holistic’ and ‘sustainable’,
clearly defined. Thus, DID is often Rather, it is an approach to water ‘integration’ has become the current
blamed when a flood occurs, whilst resources management that takes into fad. But what exactly does it mean?
the real causes may be flash floods account all factors linked to land and And above all, how do we implement
due to urban development, water resources, including social and it?
sedimentation due to earth works or economic activities. Its broad scope River basins are important
deforestation, or solid waste that clogs not only covers water resources, but ecological units and the river itself
the drains – areas which are under also environmental management reflects all the environmental changes
the mandate of other agencies. aspects such as pollution control, that occur in the basin – be it changes
Similarly, water pollution problems development planning and in land use or discharges of waste.
can only be effectively addressed biodiversity conservation. However, natural basin borders rarely
through a concerted effort involving coincide with political and
many agencies and huge investments Current Policies administrative borders, making it
in wastewater treatment. difficult to attend to the ecological
So while the present sectoral The need for a holistic and linkages across basins. In addition,
approach has its advantages, it has integrated approach is now widely many departments and agencies are
become evident that there is a need recognised and is strongly reflected involved, each planning and
for a broader, holistic view. Water- in Government policies. This is managing its particular sector of
related problems can only be incorporated into both the Eighth water use.
effectively dealt with through a Malaysia Plan (8MP), (2001-2005) and Thus, it is necessary to establish a
collaborative effort by the many the Third Outline Perspective Plan mechanism that can merge
stakeholders and with inputs from the (OPP3), (2001-2010) which encourage coordination and seek cooperation
many technical disciplines. It is no State Governments to establish water not only across sectors, but also across
longer enough to look just at the river; management bodies to ensure proper political and administrative borders.
we must now consider the whole planning, monitoring, enforcement The challenge is how to do it.

BULETIN INGENIEUR 21
cover feature

Although each country is unique, environmental regulation of


the challenges they face in river sewage treatment plants and
basin management generally have major industries. The regional
some similarities, and it is physical plans are updated once
worthwhile to examine the every fourth years. This planning
experiences of other countries to see mechanism, and the fact that all
if their experiences can be applied major environmental
in Malaysia in some form. management and most natural
resources management is the
● In Australia, the Murray-Darling responsibility of a single
One of the quickest ways to
catchment is beset by organisation, greatly facilitate an
implement IRBM is through the use
unsustainable land use and integrated approach. The
of River Basin Master Plans. Such
excessive water extraction in a multitude of specialised agencies
master plans take into consideration
very dry agricultural zone, such that are found in Malaysia is
the needs of the various water sectors
that in some years, no water practically absent. Environmental
by incorporating and integrating the
reaches the sea. The collaboration services are generally provided by
various sectoral master plans into an
among several neighbouring the municipalities. The Ministry
overall basin plan through a process
of trade-offs aimed at a win-win states seeks to address negative of Environment gives guidance
approach. impacts by utilising economic and regulations, and, in case of
instruments, such as marketable appeals, may overrule some
What Are Other Countries Doing? water rights and other decisions made by the regional
management tools. councils or the municipalities.
Since water is an important issue
in many countries, often there are ● In Indonesia, the Brantas River ● In France, the country has been
long traditions for bodies which can basin, with an area of 12,000 km2 divided into six “river basins”
resolve conflicts between various and a population of 15 million, where the water resources are
users. Some of these organisations are is managed on an IRBM basis by managed in an integrated
specialised courts that follow legal a state-owned company, PTG-1. manner. For each basin, there is
procedures. Others are water or river PTG-1 has the responsibility to a committee which has the role
authorities. In some countries, formal manage the water resources and to establish partnerships and
or informal user groups play water infrastructure, including coordinate the actions of public
important roles in water management. water supply, irrigation and flood authorities and developers. The
The Tribunal de las Aguas (Water mitigation. It is not directly daily work is carried out by six
Court) of Valencia, Spain, which has responsible for water pollution water agencies. The river basin
been in existence at least since the control or land use, but advises committees also mobilise the
10th century, is one of the earliest and supports other agencies. financial resources for water
examples. investments. Master plans and
The responsibilities and mode of ● In Europe, the European Union schemes for water development
operation of the institutions vary from Water Framework Directive is a and management play an
country to country. The preferred very ambitious legal initiative in important role in water
institutional set-up needs to reflect water resources management. It management. In addition, there is
the traditions and history of the gives clear direction for member a number of local water
country as well as the nature of the states and requires each to communities which can play an
issues to be dealt with. However, most introduce integrated river basin active role in achieving the
traditional systems have limited management plans, to implement objectives.
mandates and they are therefore legal and institutional
rarely able to effectively deal with the arrangements and sets a binding ● In the United States, the Clean
more complex environmental issues timetable to achieve “good status” Water Act requires the states to
of water resource management. for all water bodies. The actual prepare and maintain a
Many countries have therefore implementation of the directive continuing planning process that
established new River Basin varies in format with each includes Water Quality
Management Institutions or River participating country, but the Management plans. These plans
Basin Organisations (RBOs), or are in target is clear. should have a watershed focus,
the process of doing so. RBOs can take but are more limited in scope than
many forms, and some are just ● In Denmark, regional councils are the EU plans.
modifications or additions to existing responsible for regional physical
systems. More radical reforms have management, natural resources These models may help to provide
typically only been instituted after a management, river management, guidance, but ultimately, the
severe crisis in the water sector. environmental monitoring and solutions must be found locally.

BULETIN INGENIEUR 22
cover feature
IRBM Planning management, as it created the first
legal framework for IRBM in
Planning is a key element of Malaysia. In Peninsular Malaysia,
IRBM. It helps define environmental Selangor pioneered the new paradigm
issues and considers the interests of with the creation of LUAS in 1999.
various stakeholders. Planning sets The environmental conditions and
the stage for integration and is a economic situation of each state must
prerequisite for consistent be considered before designing a
implementation of policies, including model that fits into the local legal and
the allocation of water resources, institutional system. Nevertheless, Both models therefore depend on
pollution abatement, zoning, granting there are many similarities between inter-agency or stakeholder
of permissions and licences, and the states and it should be possible to committees and sub-committees or
others. Each element of the plan give general recommendations and working groups to deal with special
requires a strategy by the authorities. create a model legislation that the issues.
Henceforth, decisions can be made in states can adapt and adopt. A very common way to deal with
a systematic and transparent manner issues that involve different
that is able to withstand public Institutional Challenges stakeholders, in Malaysia as well as
scrutiny. in other countries, is to establish a
The aim of the IRBM plan is thus It is easy to identify the committee. This can be done easily,
to provide overall guidance. Its intent challenges, namely to: requires no legal changes and can be
is not to dwell on management an effective coordination mechanism
details, but to establish priorities and ● Achieve effective and efficient that brings the key stakeholders
balance the various sector interests integration together.
in a way that facilitates clear and ● Maintain expertise, skills and There are many types of
specific actions to address the main focus of specialised agencies committees. Some have strong
issues. It is crucial that an IRBM plan ● Avoid creation of bureaucratic political support and are very active,
adequately covers and integrates the complications and they can be very effective – both
full array of water concerns, such as ● Develop frameworks with clear as temporary committees established
resources use and flood mitigation, mandates to solve a particular problem, and as
wastewater treatment, and catchment ● Streamline legislation, standing committees that have a more
protection and zoning. Planning administration and procedures permanent nature. Other committees
requires a long-term vision to seek ● Ensure stakeholder participation are established to put an inconvenient
appropriate environmental issue on hold until the political or
investments that fulfill the entire But how are these challenges best public interest has diminished, and
objectives of IRBM. The IRBM plan met? this kind is naturally not very active.
should identify measures to achieve There is also a more common type,
the planning objectives and specify The IRBM Project which initially is active, but as other
concrete short-term and long-term issues prop up and take priority on
actions. To examine these issues, the the busy agenda of the main
Government of Malaysia has initiated stakeholders, the activity declines and
Legal And Institutional Framework the IRBM Project in cooperation with the committee may even become
the Government of Denmark. The dormant. This is a natural process in
Malaysia already has several project is working with two models the life of committees. They all pass
examples of integrated watershed, viz. in the Selangor River Basin and through various phases. For a
catchment or river basin planning. the Kedah River Basin, which at first committee to remain active, it needs
Most initiatives have been in the form glance appear to be quite different. a dedicated chairman, the active
of IRBM plans, each with its own Selangor has established a new support of the members and the
strengths and weaknesses. Most plans institution, LUAS, with its own backing of a dynamic secretariat.
have been prepared by a single enactment for water resources The IRBM approach is a challenge
agency and this gives a bias that is management, while Kedah, at least for water administration in Malaysia.
reflected in the plans. initially, is using a more informal The IRBM project acknowledges that
The challenge is how to improve approach with an inter-agency strong relationships between Federal
the implementation of IRBM. Do we committee chaired by the State and State agencies are fundamental
create new institutions? Do we add Economic Planning Unit (UPEN). for achieving positive results. This
responsibilities to existing agencies? A closer look reveals that there is, project is still in its early stage, and it
Can we merely amend legal and in fact, a range of common features. will continue to explore the right
administrative frameworks to handle Both models recognise that opportunities and models for
the job or are major changes required? cooperation with a range of integrated resource management to
The Sabah Water Resources specialised agencies and other overcome past problems and move
Enactment of 1998 was an early and stakeholders is critical, no matter how forward towards revitalising the
important step towards integrated wide the mandate of the water agency. nation’s rivers. BEM

BULETIN INGENIEUR 23
engineering & law
Work Programme -
A Contractual Perspective
Part 2
By Ir. Harbans Singh K.S., B.E (Mech) S’pore, P.E., C.Eng,
LLB(Hons) London, CLP, DipICArb.

ALTERATION/REVISION TO PROGRAMME Some forms of conditions of contract 39 on the other


hand, either have no such express provisions, or are
Bearing in mind the desire to maintain flexibility, generally silent on the question of revision or
the contractor should be afforded the possibility of amendment of the work programme and/or the
amending or revising the programme as and when he necessity of seeking the contract administrator’s
so desires. However, because of the effect of the approval for such modifications.
contractor’s approved programme on the contract
administrator’s obligations i.e. to furnish information, The consequences of such an eventuality is neatly
drawings, details, give necessary approvals, etc. such summed up by Roger Knowles in the following words:
flexibility is constrained by the necessity to seek the
necessary approval/consent of the contract ‘In the absence of an express requirement to seek
administrator before undertaking any revisions or approval to amend, the contractor can revise his
alterations to the approved programme. Hence, express programme as he wishes. An architect or engineer
contractual provisions are usually enshrined in the who has not been asked to approve or accept an
conditions of contract to the following effect: amended programme may feel under no obligation
to issue drawings in good time to enable the
● No material alteration to the approved work contractor to comply with the revised programme’ 40
programme is generally permitted without the
approval of the contract administrator e.g. Clause Hence, in view of the impact of the contractor’s
7.4 36 IEM.ME 1/94 Form; revisions on the contract administrator’s obligations
vis-à-vis the supply of information, drawings, etc. to
● The contractor may modify or revise the works enable the contractor to proceed with his works as
programme with the approval of the contract planned, it is rare for the contractor not to seek the
administrator to take into account any changed latter’s approval to the revisions. Therefore, it is a
circumstances or events affecting the progress and/ rule rather than an exception for the procedure
or the execution of the works e.g. Clause 5.6 37 CIDB governing the approval process to be adopted in
Form (2000 Edn.) practice for not only the initial submission but also
for any subsequent revisions notwithstanding the
● If the progress of the works does not conform to absence of express stipulations thereto.
the approved programme, the contract administrator
may instruct the contractor to revise the programme. MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
The contractor shall thereafter revise the programme
to show the modifications necessary to ensure I. ‘Optimistic’/Shortened Programme
completion of the works within the time stipulated
for completion e.g. Clause 7.5 38 IEM.ME 1/94 Form. It is an express requirement in most contracts for the
contractor to programme his works such that he can
It should be appreciated that although such express complete the works ‘on or before’ the date for
clauses are specially drafted to give wide powers to
the contract administrator vis-à-vis the exercise of 36. Entitled ‘Alteration to Programme’
his powers of approval to the revisions/alterations, 37. Called ‘Modification or Revision To Work’s Programme
these powers are restricted by the overall exercise of and/or Method Statement’
reasonableness; a fact that must be borne in mind by 38. Entitled “Revision of Programme’.
contract administrators when reviewing the 39. E.g. JKR 203, 203A (rev. 10/83), PAM ’98 Forms, etc.
40. See Roger Knowles ‘100 Hundred Contractual Problems and
contractor’s requests for relevant modifications.
Their Solutions’ at P 71

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 29
engineering & law

completion stated in the contract 41. Some contractors ● There was no implied obligation on the employer to
however, prepare and submit an ‘optimistic’ or supply information, through his architect 45, so as to
‘shortened’ programme i.e. targeting an earlier enable the contractor to finish early; and
completion date. Various reasons have been proffered
for this practice ranging from a genuine desire to ● It was neither reasonable nor equitable that the
achieve earlier discharge of the contractual obligations contractor should be able to place, after the
at one end of the spectrum to a sinister goal of contract had been made, a unilateral obligation
improving the contractor’s chances of claims for on the employer 46
monetary compensation, etc. due to an increased
possibility of ‘acts of prevention’ on the employer’s II. ‘Float’ In Work Programme
part vis-à-vis the ‘shortened’ programme.
In preparing a programme, contractors generally
An ‘optimistic’ or ‘shortened’ programme should have to make a considered decision as to, amongst
be viewed with caution by the employer/ contract others, the specific duration that has to be allocated to
administrator due to a host of reasons; the principal a particular work activity. Where the contractor
of which include: anticipates uncertainties, he must allocate a buffer
period i.e. he must schedule that activity to take longer
● It accelerates the demands on the employer / than estimated to cushion him against any unforeseen
contract administrator in undertaking their various circumstances. Such a contingency period, often
obligations and duties 42 e.g. furnishing information dubbed as ‘float’ 47 caters for uncertain risks covering
/ drawings, granting necessary approvals, etc. to matters of the likes of:
meet the ‘shortened’ or ‘earlier’ targets set by the
contractor; ● Adverse ground conditions;

● It imposes unreasonable demands on the employer’s ● Inclement weather;


cash flow and financial allocation to meet the
accelerated payment to the contractor; ● Unavailability of labour, materials, etc.;

● It increases the likelihood of the employer ● Strikes, lockouts, etc.;


defaulting in his obligations to the contractor i.e.
giving rise to acts of prevention that will delay the ● Rectification of self-induced mistakes; and
contractor and entitle him to various contractual
claims; and ● Unforeseen conditions/circumstances, etc.

● It generally transfers the risk of default in time In view of the said time cushion, it is a common
obligations onto the employer. belief in programming circles that an activity with a
‘float’ will be an activity rarely falling on the ‘critical
Robinson and Lavers sum up this matter in the path’ and hence will not constitute a ‘critical activity’.
following manner:43 Though there may be little dispute on this matter, there
is however considerable confusion as to the ‘ownership’
‘…. a programme to complete prior to the required of the ‘float’ time, with both the contractors and the
date for completion is probably within the contractor’s employers /contract administrators laying claim to this
rights and has the effect of requiring the architect to critical item.
produce his drawings for the earlier critical dates at
least as far as that may be reasonably capable of
achievement. The consultants should not query a
contractor’s programme unless it is clearly unrealistic
41. E.g. Clause 21.1 PAM ’98 Form (‘With Quantities’) Edition.
or places unreasonable demands on the employer’s 42. Especially for ‘Traditional General Contracts’
cash flow or the design work schedule’ 43. In ‘Construction Law in Singapore and Malaysia’ [2nd Edn.]
at P 299.
Be that as it may, the legal position vis-à-vis an 44. [1987] 30 BLR 89
‘optimistic’ or ‘shortened’ programme is reflected in 45. Or the Contract Administrator.
the judgment of the case of Glenlion Construction 46. The ‘ICE Design and Construct Contract: A Commentary’ By
B. Eggleston at P 126.
Ltd. v The Guinness Trust 44 where it was held
47. See ‘100 Contractual Problems and Their Solutions’ By Roger
that: Knowles at P 73.

BULETIN INGENIEUR 30
engineering & law
A fair amount of propositions have been forwarded ● In the event the contract is silent on the above
by a number of authorities vis-à-vis the question as to matter, the general legal position is as reflected per
the ‘ownership’ of such ‘float’; notable examples of the views of the authorities quoted hereabove 51 i.e.
which include: the float time belongs to the contractor and is not
at the disposal of the employer / contract
● Roger Knowles 48 who opines ‘…There is no hard administrator; and
and fast rule but it would seem that, as a contractor
will normally include float in his programme to ● Even in situations where there are express
accommodate his risk items which cannot be provisions in the contract, transferring ownership
accurately predetermined in terms of time of the ‘float time’ to the employer, the effectiveness
involvement, and also provide time for correcting of such stipulations in terms of enforceability in
mistakes, then the float belongs to him and the actual practice is questionable owing to the
employer or architect / engineer cannot object if existence of a number of factors including, inter
later reprogramming by the contractor absorbs it’ alia:

● Robinson and Lavers 49 are of the view that ‘where a) The operation of the ‘contra proferantum’ rule;
a contractor has given himself ‘float’ in his
programme, such float is for his purposes only, and b) The satisfaction of the ‘reasonableness’ test; and
(unless EOT is to be allowed) must not be used up
by the contract administrator’s delays or additional c) The lack of motivation for the contractor to
demands.’ programme his activities to include ‘float time’;
which at the end of the day is not of any
Recently, there has been a tendency by some advantage to him.
employer to expressly define in the conditions of
contract as to the ownership of the ‘float time’. The employer may be under a delusion that such
Examples of the above, involve the following: an express clause effectively protects him and transfers
risk of delay, perhaps, for ‘acts of prevention’ on to
● Putrajaya Conditions of Main Contract, clause 43.07 the contractor’s shoulders. In the first place, unless he
holds: ‘Float time within the work schedule belongs can show that such an agreement was not unilaterally
to the employer and the E.R. may direct that float imposed but reached through mutual consent by parties
time be utilized by the contractor to advance the of equal ‘bargaining strength’, the effectiveness of the
performance of the works and the contractor shall clause is questionable 52. The latter is further eroded
forthwith comply with such direction at his own by actual implementation in practice. Short of actively
cost without any right to an extension of time’ interfering with the contractor’s programming of works
by directing the inclusion of specific float time in
● Putrajaya Conditions of Nominated Sub-Contract particular activities (thereby infringing the contractor’s
in clause 24.7 sets out an identical approach in the right to sequence his work as per his requirements),
following manner: ‘Float time within the sub- there appears to be no practical method for the
contract work schedule belongs to the Employer. employer to enforce this right.
The contractor with the approval of the E.R., may
direct that float time be utilized by the Nominated III. Failure of Contractor to Follow Programme
Sub-Contractor to advance the performance of the
Sub-Contract works and the Nominated Sub- As we have seen in the preceding sections of this
contractor shall forthwith comply with such paper 53 it is a common practice for most standard
direction at his own cost without any right to an forms of conditions of contract to impose an obligation
extension of time’. on the contractor to submit a work programme. The
consequences of the contractor in defaulting as to this
In summarizing the discussion on this subject, the
relevant matters that need to be taken cognizance of
are as set out herebelow: 48. Ibid.
49. ‘In Construction Law in Singapore and Malaysia’ [2nd Edn.]
● Where the parties have expressly set out and at P 299
50. E.g. The Putrajaya Conditions of Main and Nominated
defined the question as to the effect and ‘ownership’
Sub-contracts
of the float time 50, prima facie such intentions will 51. I.e. Roger Knowles and Robinson and Lavers
be duly enforced within the context of the contract; 52. Even under the ‘Doctrine of Freedom to Contract’

BULETIN INGENIEUR 31
engineering & law

requirement have also been adequately dealt with. completion. Clause 65 58 includes the default of failing
Notwithstanding the contractor’s submission of such to proceed with due diligence as ground for
a document, a cardinal issue that often arises is one determination but it is arguable that diligence relates
concerning the contractual ramifications consequent to correctness and that it does not extend to expedition’
to the contractor’s failure to follow the programme
that has been submitted and duly approved by the ● Sundra Rajoo is of the opinion that: 59
contract administrator.
‘Divergence from the work programme will not
In formulating a suitable answer to the query raised, attract adverse contractual effect. Hence, the failure
one has to be mindful of the very nature of the to comply with such a programme is not in itself a
programme itself i.e. it has to be a flexible document. breach of contract but it may contribute to evidence of
This view is buttressed by the fact that most, if not all failure to proceed ‘regularly and diligently’ in
the standard conditions of contract, either expressly accordance with clause 21.1 60. For example, the
or impliedly refuse to categorize the work programme architect may form a view based on the failure of the
as a contract document; 54 thereby watering down any contractor to follow the scheduled events as timetabled
contractual obligation on the contractor in respect of or more generally, the failure to ‘regularly and
the programme. diligently’ proceed, in which case he may give
instructions to expedite the progress and call for
The concern that next arises in challenging the revisions to the work programme’
above approach revolves around the various express
provisions in most standard conditions of contract 55 ● In ‘Construction Law in Singapore and Malaysia’,61
that require the contractor to proceed with: Robinson and Lavers hold that:

● Due diligence and expedition and without delay; ‘…… there is no contractual obligation to work to
● In accordance with the contract; and a programme. Thus, linkage between the contract
● By reference to the works programme and/or and construction management was, and largely,
method statement, etc. remains weak, and contractual remedies remain
inadequate but nevertheless continuing progress remain
Prima facie, such express provisions appear to effective only in extreme cases where the employer’s
impose a contractual obligation on the contractor to interest has become severely prejudiced. Orders for
comply with his programme; failure to do so being a specific performance are not a viable alternative remedy
breach of contract. However the consequences of such ……’
a breach are neither expressly spelt out nor made
sufficiently clear in most conditions of contract. The salient points that can be crystallised from the
Furthermore, in the case of Glenlion Construction Ltd. abovementioned discussion can be adumbrated as
v The Guinness Trust 56 it was held that a contractor herebelow:
was entitled to carry out and complete the contract
work by any date that was not later than the stipulated ● The work programme being intended to be a flexible
date for completion irrespective of any work document is seldom classified as a contract document.
programme submitted and approved: there being no Hence, the failure of the contractor to comply with
contractual obligation on him to work to a programme. the said programme, prima facie, therefore avoids
imposing a contractual obligation on him to work to
The consequences of the failure of the contractor the said programme;
to proceed in accordance with his programme has
drawn a number of useful comments from academics
53. Entitled ‘Express Contract Provisions’.
and authorities; notable examples of which include
54. See Section entitled ‘Status of the Programme’.
the following: 55. e.g. Clause 17.1 CIDB Form (2000) Edn.
56. [1987] 30 BLR 89 as reported in ‘Construction Law in
● Eggleston in ‘The Design and Construct Contract: Singapore and Malaysia’ [2nd Edn.] by Robinson and Lavers
A Commentary’ 57 states: at P 29.
57. At P 246.
‘Although failure by the contractor to proceed with 58. Of the ‘ICE Design and Construct Conditions
59. See ‘The Malaysian Standard Form of Building Contract [2nd
due expedition and without delay is a breach of
Edn.] at P 82 and 83.
contract, it is not fully clear whether or not the 60. Of the PAM ’98 Form.
employer has a remedy other than damages for late 61. [2nd Edn.] by Robinson and Lavers.

BULETIN INGENIEUR 32
engineering & law
● Even in the face of express contractual provisions CONCLUSION
prescribing the contractor’s performance of the
works to comply with the programme and/or to The work programme is one of the most significant
the contract as a whole, following Glenlion’s Case tools employed both by Contractors and Contract
the contractor is merely obliged to carry out and Administrators (and more often than not by Employers)
complete the contract works latest by the date for as a means of ensuring that the contents of the contract
completion stipulated in the contract 62; and documents are realized into the eventual end product
that meets the expectations of all parties involved in
● Should the contractor fail to comply with the the construction process. It is also features as a
programme, the employer’s remedies are limited to prominent document that forms part of the contractor’s
the following: submittal during the early stages of the commencement
of the works. Owing to the recognition that has been
a) Damages 63 for late completion i.e. should the afforded to it over the years, the work programme has
contractor fail to complete the works by the date moved from the backwaters of a typical contract
for completion stipulated in the contract and / activity to assume a forefront role; in the process also
or any approved revised date; generating a host of issues (both contractual and
procedural) that has taken many an ill-informed
b) Instructing the contractor to expedite the works practitioner off-guard. It should be apparent from the
and requiring the contractor to revise the foregoing discussion that the topic of work programme
programme to reflect the necessary changes is not that straightforward as it is assumed to be.
arising from the said instructions; and/or It has many facets that require addressing by the
different parties; some of these being merely of a
c) Determining the employment of the contractor procedural nature whilst others exhibit a contractual/
under the contract provided: legal hue. With the growing complexity of engineering
and construction projects having multi-party, multi
i) There is a clause in the contract 64 permitting disciplinary and multi-layered activities, the instant
the employer to determine the contractor’s topic has generated and will continue to spew-out in
employment; and the foreseeable future areas of contention and claims
with their attendant contractual consequences. It is
ii) There is an express ground for hoped that the topic under review be given a more
determination premised on failure to focused and serious consideration to ensure that the
proceed ‘regularly and diligently’ with the typical project’s aim of ensuring quality, cost and time
works 65; and (without the attendant claims) is satisfactorily realized.

iii) The employer is able to establish that the REFERENCES


contractor’s failure to comply with the
programme constitutes the default of failing ■ B. Eggleston, ‘The ICE Design and Construct Contract:
to proceed ‘regularly and diligently’ with A Commentary’ [2 nd End.], Blackwell Scientific
the works and has severely prejudiced his Publications.
interests under the contract. ■ Duncan Wallace, ‘Hudson’s Building and Engineering
Contracts’, [13th Edn.] Sweet & Maxwell
Apart from the above-listed options, there appear ■ Ir. Harbans Singh K.S. ‘Engineering and Construction
to be no other viable alternatives for the employer to Contracts Management: Commencement and
adopt consequent to the failure of the contractor to Administration’ Lexis-Nexis Business Solutions.
follow the work programme. ■ M.W Abrahamson, ‘Engineering Law and the ICE
Contracts’, [4th Edn.], Blackwell Science.
■ Robinson, Lavers, Tan & Chan, ‘Construction Law
in Singapore and Malaysia’, [2nd End.], Butterworths.
■ Roger Knowles, ‘100 Contractual Problems and Their
Solutions’, Blackwell Science.
■ Sundra Rajoo, ‘The Malaysian Standard Form of
Building Contract’ [2nd Edn.], Malayan Law Journal.
62. Or any other revised/extended date
63. i.e. Liquidated and Ascertained Damages, etc. ■ Vincent Powell-Smith, ‘An Engineering Contract
64. E.g. Clause 25.1 PAM ’98 Form. Dictionary’ Legal Studies and Services (Publishing)
65. Sub-clause 25.1 (ii) PAM ‘98 Form. Ltd. BEM

BULETIN INGENIEUR 33
management

The Managerial Function Of


Control For Consulting Engineers
By Ir. Tee Horng Hean

In whatever industry one is in, one cannot run away from the fact that management is required to ensure that
the industry is operated in an orderly and efficient manner. The managerial function of control covers a wide
area. Some organisations such as Mohamed Mustafa & Shamsuddin Company, a well-known Singaporean
retailer had to adopt the managerial function of control to prevent customer fraud (Yee, May 11, 2000) and
with control these can be minimised. In the United States, it is estimated that US$200 billion yearly is lost
due to employee theft and fraud (Bell & Smith, December 3, 2003; Buss, 1993, pp. 36–38). In this article,
the managerial function of control is presented with respect to the technical aspects at the construction
site. The managerial function of control is important to all managers as many untoward incidences can be
prevented through the implementation of appropriate control measures.

I
n any organisation, be it small or on the managerial function of control drawings and specifications, ensuring
large and in whatever industry, in terms of technical aspects. The designs conform to latest engineering
there is a need for management. author would like to highlight the standards, etc. These are routine to most
Management is essential to ensure managerial function of control managers. It is nowadays common to
that an organisation operates in an especially on technical aspects at the make use of engineering software that
orderly manner as opposed to a chaotic construction site as through focusing performs engineering designs with just
manner. The two terms that need of technical aspects it is highly possible a click of a mouse button and the
further explanation are “organisation” that untoward incidences such as designs can be modelled to comply with
and “management”. structural failure due to various engineering standards.
An organisation is defined as a misconstruction, bad workmanship, etc. However, engineers should realise that
group (at least two or more persons) can be avoided. computers are merely tools and should
of people with formally assigned tasks, not blindly accept the results without
working hand-in-hand to achieve the EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL understanding how the values were
organisation’s intended goals (Dessler, CONTROLS generated. Some famous quotes (Bott,
2004, p.2) or is classically defined as 1997; Paulino, 2000) on the finite
a system of consciously coordinated As mentioned earlier, management elements, a computational method for
activities or forces of two or more involves, planning, organising, leading engineering analysis are as follows:
people (Barnard, 1938, p.73). and controlling. In the consulting A structure is not obliged to behave
Management is defined as the engineering industry, we can categorise how the computer says it should,
process of coordinating work activities the managerial function of control into regardless of how expensive the
in such a manner that they are external and internal controls. Control programme, how many digits in the
completed efficiently (gaining the most is the managerial task of ensuring that results, or how elegant the graphics
output by adopting the least amount of the activities carried out are providing display.
inputs) and effectively (performing the the desired results (Dessler, 2004, Computer graphics have achieved
right activities in order to attain p.366). Put in another way, control is such a polish and versatility as to
organisational goals) with and through concerned with seeing that the right inspire great trust in the underlying
other people and involves the on-going things happen at the right time, in the analysis, a trust that may be
functions of planning, organising, right way (Kinicki & Williams, 2003, unwarranted. (One can make more
leading and controlling (Robbins & p.524). mistakes with more confidence than ever
Coulter, 2003, p.6; Bartol & Martin, Internal control, which is trivial to before.)
2003, p.17). most managers, indicates that the Although the Finite Element method
Control can involve various areas managerial function of control is can make a good engineer better, it can
such as the control of costs (financial implemented within the consulting make a poor engineer more dangerous.
resources), control of schedule (time engineering organisation. The technical An analyst unable to do even a crude
management), control of workers aspects of internal control in the pencil and paper analysis of the problem
(human resources management), etc. In consulting engineering industry probably doesn’t know enough to
this paper, we shall be primarily focused involves the checking of engineering attempt a solution by finite elements.

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 34
management

The concept of peer review or occur since the cantilever was not them to supervise their construction of
checkers introduced by the Board of designed to withstand heavy equipment. their projects (ACEM, 2001, p. 250) as
Engineers, Malaysia is another form of Finally, the Feedback Control through supervision only then can
internal control and this would be an involves correcting problems after they engineers rectify any problems that
excellent added measure to spot any occur and can sometimes be costly to occur and also to prevent any
engineering design errors. This is an rectify the problem(s). For example, it anticipated problems that may arise. It
example of the Feedforward Control was found that materials and equipment is a fact that not all problems can be
which shall be explained in the next were placed on the cantilever-supported solved without visiting the site. Even
section. slab resulting in the excessive deflection contractors are faced with a similar
External control on the other hand of the cantilever and cracks had situation. Before the submission of their
involves the implementation of the developed near the cantilever support. tender prices, contractors are normally
managerial function of control outside The contractor is instructed to remove advised to visit the site as this would
of the engineering consultancy firm. As the materials and equipment. Also, a aid them in pricing realistically rather
engineers spend a great deal of time proposal on the rectification of the than based on assumptions and
solving technical problems that defects is to be prepared by the intuition which may be inaccurate or
frequently arise during the construction contractor (which would incur time and wrong.
stage, we shall discuss more on this money).
area. ADVANTAGES/IMPORTANCE
There are three types of control (see CARRYING OUT OF CONTROL
Figure 1) namely the Feedforward, EXTERNAL CONTROL
Concurrent and Feedback Control ● Legal Aspects
(Kinicki & Williams, 2003, p.529; With regard to externally
Dessler, 2004, p.367). implementing control at the According to Section 71 of the
construction site, engineers Street, Drainage and Building Act,
FEEDFORWARD, CONCURRENT AND nowadays can adopt the 1974:-
FEEDBACK CONTROL advancement of information and
communication technology and 71. Where any building or part of
The Feedforward Control involves relevant information pertaining to building fails, whether in the course of
anticipating problems before they occur. the conditions at a construction site construction or after completion, or
An example of the Feedforward Control through the use of mobile phone, where there is any failure in relation to
would be an engineer advising the telephone, fax, modem, any earthworks or part of any
contractor not to place heavy teleconferencing, etc. earthworks, whether in the course of
construction materials or equipment on Theoretically, with the advancement the carrying out of the earthworks or
the slab supported by a cantilever beam, of information and communication after completion thereof and the cause
after these structural elements are cast. technology, engineers can obtain of such failure is due to any one or more
The Concurrent Control involves information pertaining to a of the following factors:
correcting problems as they surface. For construction site without physically (a) Misconstruction or lack of proper
instance, it was noted by an engineer being there but engineers must still be supervision during construction;
during his site visits, that workers physically be at the project site as this (b) Misdesign or miscalculation; or
started placing heavy equipment on the is mandatory. (c) Misuse
cantilever-supported slab. The A letter written by Tan Sri Dato’ Ir.
contractor was immediately requested Talha Haji Mohd. Hashim dated June of such building or part of such building,
to instruct his workers to have the heavy 21,1989 (the then President of the Board or of such earthworks or part of such
equipment removed before any possible of Engineers, Malaysia), addressed to earthworks, the person responsible for:
over-stressing of structural elements all Professional Engineers, reminded
(aa) such misconstruction or such
lack of proper supervision;
(bb) such misdesign or
miscalculation; or
(cc) such misuse,

shall be liable on conviction to a fine


not exceeding fifty thousand dollars or
to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding ten years or to both.

Building is defined in the Act as


follows:

“Building” includes any house,


Figure 1: Types of Control hut, shed or roofed enclosure, whether
used for the purpose of a human
Source: Adopted From: Kinicki, A. & Williams, B. K., 2003, Management – A Practical
habitation or otherwise, and also any
Introduction, McGraw Hill, Boston, p.529.
wall, fence, platform, staging, gate,

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 35
management

post, pillar, piling frame, hoarding, identified at the initial stage rather than physical or objective influences
slip, dock, wharf, pier, jetty, landing- rectifying problems at the later stage (Bateman & Snell, 2004, p.34). In the
stage or bridge or any structure as they involve more complications. Hawthrone studies, the researchers
support or foundation connected to The old saying goes, “A stitch in time discovered that the workers felt that
the foregoing; saves nine”. Let’s take for instance, a they were special since they were
Also, it is stipulated in the Uniform worker is found to be working observed (Dessler, 2004, p.12) and in
Building By-Laws 1984, By-Law 5, dangerously by not providing safety other words, if workers are given special
that supervision of a project site is harness while painting the rafter of a attention, their productivity would be
mandatory before the erection of a portal frame. If there is no monitoring increased (Kinicki & Williams, 2003,
building can take place. and control of safety, the worker is p.43) and this is known as the
Since engineers shoulder a very working under an extremely risky Hawthrone effects.
heavy professional obligation, condition which is hazardous to his life. Therefore, an indirect advantage of
engineers should see to it that If an accident occurs, the contractor frequent site inspections or supervision
“building” failures do not occur to would be sued for compensation, etc. would be an increase in workers’
avoid being involved in any sort of and this would mean monetary loss and motivation and productivity especially
tedious process of litigations. Only delay in completion of the project. when the workers are observed and
through implementing the managerial given due attention.
function of control can engineers
ensure that negative occurrences are ADOPTING ENGINEERING WAP
prevented. APPLICATIONS IN CARRYING OUT
EXTERNAL CONTROL
● Workmanship
There are times whereby an engineer
It is not uncommon to find may need to make prompt technical-
unskilled workers carrying out based decisions at the construction site.
construction works in the project site. Many a time, technical-based decisions
This is another good reason why site may require an engineer to refer to his
inspections should be carried out. design office to undertake appropriate
Some of the shoddy and engineering calculations and this may
unsatisfactory works that one may take some time known as information
have had experienced are inadequate float. Information float is the time
cover to steel reinforcements, (which can be as long as several days)
inadequate lever arm for reinforced when a written letter, document or other
concrete structural members, information is in transit between the
insufficient lap length, and not sender and receiver, and thus
following construction drawings. unavailable for any action or response
There are times where workers may (O’Brien, 1997, p.228). However, with
improvise their method of work for the advancement of technology today,
convenience and if no monitoring or through the use of mobile phones or
inspection whatsoever were carried out, other wireless devices that are WAP-
failure may highly be probable.
Figure 2: Failure of precast beam enabled, an engineer is able to perform
For instance, as noted by David H. Source: Adapted From: Nicastro, D. H., appropriate engineering calculations on
Nicastro in an investigation, the 1997, Failure Mechanisms in Building the spot using a mobile phone. As long
structural beams at a site failed because Construction, ASCE Press, Virginia, p.16. as an engineer codes his programme
workers installing the shear links spaced correctly, he should be able to obtain
out the stirrups equally though the links ● Motivation and the correct results using an Engineering
were designed and drafted as unequally The Hawthrone Studies WAP Application. An example of an
spaced (see Figure 2) and after Engineering WAP Application written
construction, a progressive failure of the The Hawthrone studies started off by the author to design moments for a
beams occurred. It was noted by David with a scientific approach and were rectangular section of reinforced
H. Nicastro that in order to prevent such carried out in 1924 to research the effect concrete beam can be downloaded
failures, monitoring is essential of increasing the illumination levels on from the URL, http://
(Nicastro, 1997, p.16). worker’s productivity (Robbins & www.freesoftware.com.my/bembem.wml
Workers tend to carry out their tasks Coulter, 2003, pp.38 – 39). However, using a WAP-enabled mobile phone (see
as they like and to prevent such it was found that there was no Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5).
occurrences, they need to be controlled relationship between increasing the Besides being able to perform
through supervision. intensity of light and the worker’s engineering calculations, engineers can
productivity. Surprisingly, it was found also code in appropriate Clauses from
● Economic Benefits that by decreasing the intensity of light, the Code of Practices as an aid to remind
productivity of workers continued to him of certain requirements. For
For the economic benefit of the on- improve, opposing common logic. It instance, when an engineer is
going project, it is a fact that whatever was concluded that productivity of performing his rounds and suspects that
shortcomings noted initially would be workers are affected by psychological the lapping of reinforcement bars are
simpler and less costly to rectify when and social factors rather than by inadequate and he can vaguely

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 36
management

Figure 3: A WAP Engineering Figure 4: Variables to be input Figure 5: Executing


Application the WAP Engineering Application

remember the precise amount of the required dimension, adequate bars have May be an Inside Job”, Workforce
number of times of bar diameters been provided, adequate reinforcement Online, [Online], Available from
required for lapping, he can instantly cover has been allowed for, etc. URL: http://www.workforce.com.
connect his mobile phone to his server (6) Bott, A., 1997, Analytical
to obtain the appropriate clause he has CONCLUSION Investigation of Bone-pin Stresses,
coded. [Online], Available from URL:
Other than that, other engineering Some of the importance/advantages http://freespace.virgin.net/
formulae can also be coded in and of implementing control have been aden.bott/fyp.html [Accessed 11
engineers can retrieve the appropriate presented. One should also note that May 2004].
formula when required. Similar to that, just as there are advantages in (7) Buss, D., September 1993, “Ways
an engineer could also code information implementing the managerial function to Curtail Employee Theft”,
such as the properties of Universal of control, there also exists barriers due Nation’s Business.
Beams, Universal Columns, etc. and to too much control, too little employee (8) C. May Yee, “Singaporean Sari
where the need of this information participation, over-emphasis on means Store is Undone by Fraud Online”,
arises, the engineer can promptly instead of ends, over-emphasis on Interactive Wall Street Journal,
perform a quick calculation and make paperwork and over-emphasis on one [Online], Available from URL:
use of a particular steel section by instead of multiple approaches, etc. http://www.interactie.wsj.com.
referring to the cross-sectional area, (Kinicki & Williams, 2003, pp. 545- (9) Dessler, G., 2004, Management –
elastic modulus, etc. through the use of 546). When adopting a suitable control Principles and Practices for
WAP Engineering Applications. system to manage an organisation, Tomorrow’s Leaders, Third
Basically, the main advantage of these barriers to controls should be Edition, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
WAP Engineering Applications is that accounted for. (10) Kinicki, A. & Williams, B. K.,
the user is mobile and he can access 2003, Management – A Practical
information, perform calculations, etc. REFERENCES Introduction, McGraw Hill,
anytime and anywhere as long as there Boston.
is adequate network coverage. (1) ACEM, 2001, Association of (11) Nicastro, D. H., 1997, Failure
It is possible with the current Consulting Engineers, Malaysia Mechanisms in Building
technology for site staff such as the Directory 2000 – 2001, Construction, ASCE Press,
clerk of works and the supervisor to Association of Consulting Virginia.
adopt WAP applications. Basically, the Engineers, Malaysia, Kuala (12) O’Brien, J. A., 1997, Introduction
traditional inspection forms can be Lumpur. to Information Systems, Eight
replaced by an appropriate WAP (2) Barnard, C. I., 1938, The Functions Edition, McGraw Hill, Boston.
application and WAP-enabled mobile of the Executive, Harvard (13) Paulino, G. H., 2000, Warning:
phones can be used to download the University Press, Cambridge. The Computed Answer May Be
WAP-version of inspection form. (3) Bartol, K. M. & Martin, D. C., 2003, Wrong, [Online], Available from
Consequently, every structural element Manangement, Third Edition, URL: http://www.ce.uiuc.edu/
such as columns, beams, slabs, etc. that McGraw Hill, Boston. p a u l i n o / c e e 3 61 / h a n d o u t s /
are being inspected can be updated over (4) Bateman & Snell, 2004, wrcabm.hm [Accessed 11 May
the Internet in real-time by pushing the Management – The New 2004].
buttons on the mobile phone. The Competitive Landscape, Sixth (14) Robbins, S. P. & Coulter, M.,
engineer involved in the project could Edition, McGraw Hill, Boston. 2003, Management, Seventh
then be able to monitor if say a (5) Bell, A. M. & Smith, D. M., 3 Edition, Prentice Hall, New
particular column has been cast to the December 2000, “Theft and Fraud Jersey. BEM

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 37
feature

Managing Flood Problems


In Malaysia
By Ir. Chia Chong Wing, Deputy Director, Bahagian Saliran dan Tebatan Banjir

M
alaysia has an capacities of streams and rivers. ● Loss of flood storage as a result
equatorial climate Extensive areas are often inundated. of development extending into
with constant high The west coast of Peninsular and taking over flood plains and
temperatures and high Malaysia, on the other hand, is mainly drainage corridors
relative humidity. The climate is affected from September to November ● Increased runoff rates due to
influenced by the northeast and during the inter-monsoon period urbanisation
southwest monsoons. The former, when convectional thunderstorms ● Inadequate drainage systems or
prevailing between November and become prevalent. Such storms bring failure of localised drainage
February, brings heavy rainfall (as short but very intense rainfall, which improvement works, extended
much as 600 mm in 24 hours in severely overloads the drainage insufficiently downstream
extreme cases) predominantly to the systems, causing localised ‘flash’ ● Constriction at bridges and
east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and floods. culverts that are either
to Sabah and Sarawak. Rain bearing undersized or partially blocked
winds also comes with the southwest MAJOR FLOOD EVENTS AND by debris build-up or from other
monsoon from April to September, CAUSES OF FLOODING causes
though rainfalls during this period are ● Siltation in waterway channels
generally less than during the Several major floods have been from indiscriminate land
northeast monsoon. There are, in experienced in the last few decades. clearing operations
addition, two transitional periods As far back as 1886, a severe flood ● Localised continuous heavy
between the monsoons (inter- with gale-force winds caused extensive rainfall
monsoon) when convectional damages in Kelantan. The flood of ● Tidal backwater effect
thunderstorms are common. 1926, supposedly the worst in living ● Inadequate river capacity
The annual average rainfall is memory in Malaysia, affected most of
2,420 mm for Peninsular Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, resulting in FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES
2,630 mm for Sabah and 3,830 mm extensive damages to property, road
for Sarawak, with heavier systems and agricultural land and Following the disastrous 1971
precipitation recorded in the east crops. In 1967, disastrous floods flood, the Government took several
coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the surged across the Kelantan, positive steps to deal with the flood
coastal regions of Sabah and Terengganu and Perak river basins, problem. Among these were:
Sarawak. taking 55 lives. A few years later, in
There are two basic types of 1971, a catastrophic flood swept across ● Establishment of the Permanent
rainfall causing flooding viz. (i) many parts of the country. Pahang was Flood Control Commission
moderate intensity, long-duration severely affected, suffering great ● Establishment of flood disaster
rainfall covering a wide area; and (ii) economic losses in the form of relief machinery
high intensity, short-duration property and crops, as well as a death ● Implementation of structural
localised rainfall. In addition, flood toll of 24. Kuala Lumpur, the Federal measures
records indicate that there is a capital, suffered equally the wrath of ● Implementation of non-
seasonal pattern of flood occurrences. the flood, an incident that structural measures
The east coast and the southern part overshadowed all past memories of ● Setting up of flood forecasting
of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and floods in Malaysia. and warning systems
Sarawak are mainly affected by floods Flood occurrences seem to be ● Carrying out of river basin
during December to January when the getting more frequent in recent years, studies and preparation of
northeast monsoon is prevailing. especially in some cities like Kuala drainage master plans for major
Flooding occurs due to widespread Lumpur, Penang and Kuching where towns
prolonged heavy rainfall resulting in rapid urbanisation is taking place. ● Setting up of a nationwide
a large concentration of runoff which The main causes of flooding in network of hydrological and
is very much in excess of the Malaysia are as follows: flood data collection stations

BULETIN INGENIEUR 38
feature
Permanent Flood Flood Disaster Relief Machinery effective and well-controlled. These
Control Commission This machinery was established studies recommend the optional flood
The Permanent Flood Control with the objective of co-ordinating control planning and design criteria
Commission was established by a relief operations at the Federal, state for the respective basins. Generally,
Cabinet decision on December 21, and district levels so that assistance socio–economic considerations for
1971 to study short-term measures to can be provided to flood victims in the basin will dominate the design
prevent the occurrence of floods and an orderly and effective manner. criteria.
long-term measures for flood Overall, the coordination of relief Since 1972, a number of river
mitigation. The Commission, in its operations is the responsibility of the basin studies have been carried out
first sitting, drew up the following Natural Disaster Relief Committee. for rivers where major flood problems
terms of reference: This committee is headed by the exist. The objective of these studies
Minister of Information with its is to draw up master plans for water
● To take measures for flood control secretariat at the National Security resources development, and measures
and to reduce the occurrence of Council. The committee is for flood mitigation form an
floods empowered, among other things, to important component. To date, more
● In the event of floods, to minimise declare any district, state or even the than 26 river basin studies have been
damage and loss of life and whole nation to be in a state of completed, including Kuala Lumpur
property disaster so as to be eligible for getting (1974 and 2002), Pahang River (1974),
financial assistance from the Federal Kelantan River (1978 and 1989),
The main objective of the Flood Government for remedial works in Terengganu River (1978), Limbang
Commission is prevention rather than addition to the allocation of funds River (1978), Kinabatangan River
cure. Since its inception, the under the operation budget. Members (1982), Samarahan River (1983), Batu
Commission’s recommendations of of this Committee include Pahat River (1984), Johor River
projects for flood control have been Government departments/agencies (1985), Golok River (1985), Besut
made with the overall view of meeting and social organisations which River (1988), Klang River (1978,1989
the objectives of the New Economic provide shelter, rescue and food and 1994), Menggatal, Sabah (1999),
Policy of eradicating poverty and supplies in case of disaster. At least Miri Flood Diversion (2000), Linggi
restructuring society. The Commission once a year, normally before the (2000), Selangor River (2000), and
is presently chaired by the Honorary northeast monsoon, the Committee Bernam (2001).
Minister of Agriculture with the will meet to ensure that its machinery Realising the need for a long-term
Drainage and Irrigation Department will run smoothly. water resources development strategy
(DID) acting as the Secretariat. (In and master plan, the Government has
2004, due to the recent Cabinet River Basin Studies carried out a National Water
decision of placing DID under the The objective of river basin studies Resources Study (1982) to develop a
newly formed Ministry of Natural is to draw up appropriate flood maps comprehensive and coordinated water
Resources and Environment, it is and also feasible projects for the resources development programme
envisaged that the chairmanship of respective basin areas so that their for the country. The study has
the Commission will be transferred to development is properly managed and formulated a long-term plan for flood
the new Minister of Natural Resources that water resources management, mitigation works in various flood-
and Environment.) including flood control measures, is prone areas in the country. This
includes improvement of 850 km of
river channels, construction of 12
multi-purpose dams, 82 km of flood
bypass, 12 ring bunds around urban
centres, and resettlement of about
10,000 people in flood-prone areas.
The whole plan was estimated to cost
RM2.55 billion (1982 estimate) over
a period of 20 years and will provide
protection to some 1.8 million people.
(However, the cost for future flood
mitigation works is now estimated to
be in the region of RM17 billion for
the next 15 years and the estimated
number of people affected by flooding
has now risen to 4.82 million.)
A number of studies have also
been carried out with the aim of
alleviating flood problems in various
locations in the country. These include

BULETIN INGENIEUR 39
feature

the Cukai Flood Mitigation Study, Malaysia Plan (1981-1985) with Bunding Of Rivers
Lower Perak Flood Mitigation Study RM141 million, the 5th Malaysia Plan Bunding of rivers prevents
and the Kangar Flood Mitigation (1986-1990) with RM155 million, the overtopping and flooding of the low-
Study, as well as drainage master plan 6th Malaysia Plan (1991-1995) with lying adjacent areas. This option may
studies for the towns of Butterworth RM431 million, the 7th Malaysia Plan give rise to problems of internal
and Bukit Mertajam, Kuala Lumpur, (1996-2000) with RM845 million, and drainage as a result of the bunding.
Alor Setar, Sandakan/Tawau/Kota the 8th Malaysia Plan (2001-2005) Bunding an urban area introduces
Kinabalu, Bintulu, Johor Bahru, with an allocation of RM2.7 billion. high flood damage potential, as any
Kelang and Port Kelang, Seremban, It is estimated that the cost for future occurrence of flooding as a result of
Melaka, Kuantan, Kota Bharu, Kuala river improvement and flood flood water overtopping or breaching
Terengganu, Port Dickson, Raub, mitigation works for the next 15 years the bund would be very damaging.
Kerteh, Teluk Intan, Penang, will amount to some RM17 billion.
Langkawi, Batu Pahat, Sungai Petani, Storage Ponds Of
Kuching, Ipoh and the Multimedia STRUCTURAL MEASURES Flood Attenuation
Super Corridor (MSC). (ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS) Ponds such as disused mining
pools can be used for flood storage.
Flood Mitigation Measures Structural measures are actually The objective is to divert the flood
From the studies that have been engineering methods which include water through such ponds and thus
carried out, various structural the following: regulate the outflow so that the flood
(curative) as well as non-structural peaks are attenuated. This strategy
(preventive) measures have been Flood Control Dams has been used in the case of Batu/
proposed to alleviate flood problems. These dams are constructed to Jinjang Pond Project in Kuala Lumpur
Under structural measures, retain flood water in order to protect where excess flood water is diverted
engineering methods are used to solve areas downstream of the dams. from Sg. Gombak to Batu Pond for
the flood problems. The river capacity Construction of storage dams solely temporary storage and from Sg. Keroh
can be increased to accommodate the for flood control purposes is generally to Jinjang Pond. Water in the pond
surplus runoff through channel economically not viable and such will be released slowly back to the
improvement, construction of levees dams are frequently utilised for other river after the flood flow has subsided
and embankments, flood bypasses, purposes such as water supply. In (See Figure 1).
river diversions, poldering, and addition, dams constructed for
construction of flood storage dams hydroelectric purposes also have a Poldering (Ring Bund)
and flood attenuation ponds, either portion of their capacity allocated for Poldering is the provision of a ring
singly or in combination. flood detention. bund surrounding the area to be
Non-structural measures, on the Among the dams specially protected. This is normally carried out
other hand, are proposed where constructed for flood mitigation are for an area which has high damage
engineering measures are not Batu Dam, Semberong Dam, Bekok potential but for which the cost on
applicable or viable, or where Dam and Macap Dam, while irrigation overall basin-wide protection would
supplemental measures are required. dams include Muda Dam, Pedu Dam, be prohibitive. It includes the
They include restriction of Timah Tasoh Dam, Bukit Merah Dam provision of internal drainage for the
development, land use zoning, and Beris Dam. Hydroelectric dams area to be protected and the
resettlement of population, flood built by Tenaga Nasional Berhad evacuation of flood water by pumping
proofing, and flood forecasting and include Kenyir Dam, Bersia Dam, during periods of high river flows.
warning systems. Kenering Dam, Temenggong Dam and The present strategy of using
Numerous major flood mitigation Sultan Abu Bakar Dam. structural flood control measures such
projects for urban areas have been The Klang Gates Dam is an as the above has proven effective in
executed. Apart from urban areas, the example of a dam built for water controlling floods and is usually the
aspects of flood mitigation and flood supply but also serves as a flood only option available for built-up
fighting have also been implemented mitigation dam. areas. However, structural measures
in fast-growing agricultural areas usually incorporate “hard”
such as the Integrated Agricultural Canalisation And Related Works engineering measures that result in
Development Project (IADP) areas, Canalisation works include the bigger channels conveying high flows
namely Perlis IADP, Western Johor widening and deepening of channels at high velocities. These measures
IADP, Ketara IADP, Kemasin Semarak as well as lining the banks and beds incur high costs as well as require
IADP and Samarahan IADP. of the channels. They also include the substantial land reserves for the
Under the 2 nd Malaysia Plan replacement of undersized structures channel.
(1971-1975), only a sum of RM14 such as bridges. These works are
million was spent for flood mitigation necessary, as the original channels Flood Diversion Channel Or Tunnel
projects. This was followed by the 3rd have become undersized as a result Certain river stretches especially
Malaysia Plan (1976-1980) with an of the increase in flood flows caused in major city centres, due to intensive
expenditure of RM56 million, the 4th by development. development along both riverbanks,

BULETIN INGENIEUR 40
feature

IRBM has been incorporated into and


will be implemented starting from the
8th Malaysia Plan.

Preparation Of Guidelines And


Design Standards
Suitable guidelines and design
standards have been prepared,
specifying clear requirements, both
physical as well as technical, for rivers
and their reserves, as well as flood
mitigation and urban drainage
projects. These guidelines and design
standards, if followed strictly by the
public and private sectors, will help
minimise the occurrence of floods.
The Department of Drainage and
Irrigation has published more than 20
Hydrological Procedures as well as the
Figure 1 – Structural measure using flood detention ponds Urban Drainage Planning and Design
Procedure No. 1 for use as reference
can no longer be widened or deepened Integrated River Basin materials and guidelines by all
to accommodate the increasing flood Management (IRBM) planners, consultants and other
discharges through the city. Under Under the concept of IRBM, the Government agencies throughout the
such circumstances, excess flood whole river basin is planned in an country.
water has to be retained upstream in integrated manner and all factors are Recently in the year 2000, a new
storage ponds or diverted downstream taken into consideration when a Urban Stormwater Management
through a flood diversion channel or certain development plan is proposed. Manual (MASMA) has been
tunnel. This is being implemented in Factors like zoning for river corridors, published by DID. The Manual has
Kuala Lumpur where the Stormwater riparian areas, natural flood plains, obtained Cabinet approval for
Management and Road Tunnel conservation of wetlands, storage implementation commencing
(SMART) Project has become a viable ponds, etc. will be taken into January 1, 2001 and is to be
and innovative solution. The SMART consideration when preparing flood complied with by all local authorities
system, when completed, will alleviate management plans. The concept of and the public and private sectors.
flooding in the Kuala Lumpur city
centre by diverting large volumes of
flood water from entering the city
centre. The tunnel is designed to
incorporate a stormwater channel and
a motorway for dual purposes. The
motorway section of the tunnel is
expected to ease traffic congestion at
the southern gateway to KL City near
Sungai Besi. This concept is believed
to be the first of its kind in the world
(See Figure 2).

NON-STRUCTURAL MEASURES
(NON-ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS)

Non-structural measures are


employed more for preventing floods
from occurring and with the aim of
minimising losses due to flooding.
These measures are broadly aimed at
reducing the flood magnitude through
the management of catchment
conditions as well as reducing the Figure 2 – Structural measure using a combination of diversion tunnel and detention
flood damage. These measures ponds as in SMART project in Kuala Lumpur (stormwater tunnel also functions as
comprise the following: motorway)

BULETIN INGENIEUR 42
feature
Figure 3 – MASMA concept using control-at-source solution

The Manual provides control-at- Flood Forecasting And Since 1980, flood warning boards
source measures and Warning System have been erected in the major river
recommendations on flood fighting The provision of flood forecasting systems. Levels marked on these
by utilising detention/retention, and warning system is an important, warning boards are correlated to the
infiltration and purification practical and low-cost measure to levels at the observation point and
processes. This will result in a more minimise flood losses. Flood forecasts they enable the residents of the
harmonious urban environment given early will enable people living villages to assess for themselves what
thereby enhancing the aesthetic in flood-prone areas to be warned so the situation would be like in their
value of the surroundings as well as that they can evacuate themselves and areas, upon receiving information on
property values (See Figure 3). their belongings before the arrival of the water level through radio
the flood. This can considerably reduce broadcasts, village heads and/or
Resettlement Of Population flood loss and damage and above all, police. In recent years, a web-based
One positive measure to reduce the loss of human lives. Following the information system on flood warning
damage potential as well as loss of 1971 flood, telemetric forecasting and flood information can be readily
life in flood-prone areas where floods systems have been installed in the obtained through http://
would not be significantly reduced major river basins, namely Kelantan, infobanjir.moa.my.
by structural measures is to resettle Pahang, Perak, Sadong, Kinabatangan,
the population. Since 1971, 1,672 Klang, Terengganu, Besut, Dungun and CONCLUSION
families and 2,715 families have been Johor, which are susceptible to major
resettled in the states of Kelantan and floods from time to time. A similar Based on the experience
Pahang respectively. system was recently installed in the accumulated over the years in
Muar river basin in Johor and more implementing flood mitigation works,
Flood Proofing are being planned for another 20 river DID is today more conscious of the
This measure consists of systems. VHF flood forecasting need to carry out such projects on a
implementation of protective works systems have been established in river basin basis rather than on a
to prevent the entry of flood water smaller basins. In river basins which piecemeal approach. This kind of
into individual houses and specific are subjected to flash floods, little lead approach will involve a shift from the
places, for example, by bunding a time is available for effective warning. traditional thinking in terms of
building with a wall so that the floor Therefore flood warning sirens, which controlling flooding through
is not submerged during a flood, automatically trigger once the flood expensive engineering structures to
thereby reducing flood damage. In level reaches a critical point, have been the more comprehensive approach of
flood-prone cities like Kuala Lumpur installed at strategic locations along viewing the solution in terms of
and Penang, entrances to basement certain urban rivers to alert the local managing flooding by incorporating
car parks should incorporate some residents of impending floods with the structural as well as non-structural
flood proofing measures. aim of minimising flood damage. measures. BEM

BULETIN INGENIEUR 43
feature

What Is WaterManagement
Water Resources Policy AndIn
What
Malaysia Is Its
– The WayPurpose?
Forward
Compiled by Lee Koon Yew, Honorary Secretary General, Malaysian Water Association

P
olicy is a plan or a set of on promoting the optimum use of
principles established by a water. As pressure on the resource
Government entity to grows, this will require that we give
provide direction on a public as much attention to limiting water
issue. Hence, water policy is a widely use as to supplying it. We are also
used term that has different meanings required to be able to make water
in different states or applications. In available for new users without
general, however, water policy is the harming the interests of existing users.
broadest general statement with New approaches to water
respect to water, which serves as the management will be needed. These
foundation for a State’s water laws will have to focus on the way in which
and institutional arrangements. water is used (efficiency, effectiveness
Water policy recognises the and demand management) in each
importance of water resources and user sector rather than simply on
sets forth the Government’s intentions in Malaysia. “Water policy predicting, planning and supplying its
with respect to water, whether the statements” are found primarily in the water needs. It will also require a
approach is or is not to actively various legislations related to water systematic approach to resource
manage water resources. In fact, lack where policy statements often precede conservation, linked to the resource
of a water policy probably indicates the description of powers and duties protection policy which need to be
that a state does not have of various water resources agencies spelt out in the new water policy to
comprehensive objectives for its water and programmes. See Institutional be formulated.
resources. The objective of managing Arrangements for Water in Table 1. This focus on individual sectors
the quantity, quality and reliability of Equally important, current and future requires a framework for intervention
the nation’s water resources is to water sector policy and service which, without trespassing on the
achieve optimum, long-term, delivery environment in Malaysia are underlying autonomy of the user
environmentally sustainable social also spelt out by the goals and sector, guides its water related
and economic benefits for society objectives of the National Outline activities towards an optimum and
from their use. Perspective Plan and the five-year sustainable path and promotes a spirit
The essential purpose of a water Malaysia Plans. of resource conservation.
policy is to change water use Thus, the historic function of the The key sectors include:
behavior. No matter what approach Public Works Department and/or the ● agriculture, (both irrigated and
is taken, policy ultimately intervenes State Water Supply Departments, rain-fed agriculture as well as
somewhere in the public and/or State Water Boards or Corporations, forestry) which is currently the
private making decision process. the Department of Irrigation and largest user of water although it
Drainage and the Department of the does not demand as high a
What is the existing water policy Environment, among others, was to reliability as other sectors;
in Malaysia? meet the needs of those water users ● industry (including manufacturing

which the Government wanted to and power generation) users


In Malaysia, rivers were seen as assist. Attention was focused whose total consumption is not so
being resources that belonged to the primarily on the development of great but whose requirements for
nation as a whole and were available water sources, and, more recently, on quality and reliability as well as
for common use by all citizens, but the maintenance of water quality to whose impact on quality through
which were, under the Federal meet the requirements of water users. land use and waste discharges
Constitution, controlled by the state As Malaysia progresses to become impose considerable pressures on
Governments. The water policy issues an industrialised nation, water the resource;
and goals affecting water resources management in the future will be ● domestic and municipal users,
development in Malaysia are well more complex since it will no longer whose water use and impact on
recognised by the federal and state be possible simply to meet the water quality is growing rapidly
Government. However, until today, demands of users or to ignore the due to the expansion of services
a separate and comprehensive demands of any particular group. and the improvement of services
national water policy does not exist Water management will focus instead standards;

BULETIN INGENIEUR 44
feature
● recreational and eco-tourism uses, Government’s privatisation policy) Resources Council) was circulated
which are growing and have was made to Taliworks Consortium for comments by the various
high quality standards to protect for the operation and management Bovernment agencies responsible
human health and sometimes of the Semenyih water treatment for water.
require large allocations as well plant. Subsequent privatisation ■ In 2001, due to legislative
as controls to protect habitat in followed down the years, constraints, the Government
the case of eco-tourism including the corporatisation and decided to have two separate
development. privatisation of entire utility’s central commissions: one for water
water supply services on a state- (National Water Commission) and
Looking Back: Malaysia’s Water wide basis. another for sanitation (National
Policy Development Process ■ In 1990-1992, rising concerns Sanitation Commission). The
for the water supply situation in Ministry of Works was given the
The policy process identifies, some states led to the abortive responsibility for the former and
defines and addresses issues at some attempt to establish a National the Ministry of Housing and Local
(or many) levels of Government; Water Board, with legislative Government for the latter.
solutions are then formulated, policy changes to powers over water ■ In 2001, the second National
decisions are made and they are supply. Water Resources Study (2000-
implemented. ■ In 1996 a study by the National 2050) was completed together with
Policy development process is Economic Research Associates, the a recommendation for a National
complex. It involves: consultants under the Economic Water Policy to be adopted to
i. multiple layers of Government; Planning Unit of the Prime ensure the sustainable development
federal, state and local Minister’s Department of the nation’s water resources in
ii. multiple arenas of Government; recommended the setting up of a the long term.
legislative, judiciary and Sanitation Services Commission, ■ In 2002, the Ministry of Works
executive a National Water Council and also appointed the International Islamic
iii. pre-existing laws, institutions, a central regulator for water University to conduct further
momentum, related policies supply, the National Water studies and recommend the
iv. complex, inter-related and Commission. establishment of the National
competing interests Water Commission which the
v. uncertain information; Government had decided to be set
inadequate time and funding to up through administrative means.
collect data The Water Supply
Branch of the Public Works
To appreciate the complexity of Department Headquarters is to form
adopting a national water policy, it the core of the new body. The
may be prudent and, perhaps, recommendation was put on hold
educational to review where we have following new developments (see
been in the past 20 years or so. following item).
■ In July 2003, the National Water
■ In 1982, the National Water Resources Council met to discuss
Resources Study – the first the state of the nation’s water
comprehensive study of its kind – supply and arrived at the decision
was conducted by JICA where to transfer the responsibility
recommendations in regard to ■ In April 1998, at the height of for water from the state
the development of a National the water shortages due to the el Governments to the federal
Water Policy and a National Water nino phenomena, particularly in the Government. The draft framework
Council were made (besides for Klang Valley, the National Water of the National Water Policy was
staged investments in water Resources Council was established, also agreed to in principle by the
resources infrastructure to meeting with the Prime Minister as Council and details are to be
water demand requirements to chairman. discussed further at the officers’
2000). A draft framework was ■ In 1999-2000, a task force was level of Government agencies
proposed and even though established at the Ministry of responsible for water.
some of the infrastructural Housing and Local Government to ■ In 2003 to now, a main committee
recommendations of JICA have look into the establishment of a and various sub-committees under
been implemented in the National Water and Sanitation the Ministry of Works are
intervening years, less emphasis Commission to act as the central coordinating on-going discussions
has been given to the regulator for water supply, on the takeover of water from the
recommendations in respect of wastewater and solid waste. state Governments and the
water legislation, policy and ■ In 2000, a new draft framework of National Water Policy.
administration. the National Water Policy by the
■ In 1987, the first water supply Ministry of Works (as the Even though one of the primary
privatisation (under the Secretariat for the National Water natural resources of Malaysia is its

BULETIN INGENIEUR 45
feature

bountiful supply of surface and Table 1


groundwater, users have begun to
experience freshwater shortages and/
or supply depletion. We need to
recognise that the economic
development and well being of the
state is inextricably connected to the
use of freshwater – from surface and
aquifer sources. The authorities and
the public need to realise that water
is a limited resource and that its
beneficial use must be regulated in an
equitable way when the demand
becomes as great as the supply. When
future studies indicate the need and
scope, it may be necessary to control
the use of water through appropriate
legislation.

So, where are we?

I have to conclude we are basically


where we were in the 1980’s. We lack
a legislatively-mandated national
water policy and water conservation
tools with which to manage one
ofour most important resources,
WATER.

Where are we going from here?

The last time we were considering


a national water policy for water
management for the country was in
the late 1980’s. Frankly, I don’t believe
we (policy makers, law makers, water
users, and the general public) can
afford to wait another 20 years.
It is without doubt that the country
need to quickly adopt a national water
policy and agree on the manner in
which the policy should be
administered, including its relationship
to the several state agencies presently
having responsibilities in the field of
water resources. BEM

REFERENCES
1. History of proposed water policies in
Lousiana by Zahir “Bo” Bolourchi, P.E.
Chief, Water Resources Section LA
DOTD
2. Why does South Africa need a new
water law, and one so different from
the old one? by Tami Sokutu, Deputy
Director General, Water Policy &
Resources, DWAF, S. Africa
3. White Paper on Water Policy: South
Africa April 30, 1997
4. National Water Resources Study:
2000 – 2050 (Prepared on March
2000)

BULETIN INGENIEUR 46
feature

Getting To Know The National


Sewerage Concessionaire
Series 1

By Ir. Haniffa Hamid and M.Narendran, Indah Water Konsortium Sdn. Bhd.

S
ewerage management in Malaysia prior to 1993 Category B Local Authorities
was under the jurisdiction of local authorities.
The level of expertise and financial capabilities
for sewerage management varied widely between
10%
local authorities nation-wide. Thus, the standard of sewerage Connected Services

services was not consistent throughout the country. 52% 38%


Septic Tanks
Others
In realizing the needs to upgrade the sanitation level in
the country, the Malaysian Government took a bold step in
federalising the management of the sewerage services in Beginning of Concession

the country. The Sewerage Services Act (SSA) was enacted


in 1993 to empower the Federal Government to regulate
the sewerage industry. The Department of Sewerage Services
(SSD) was formed under the Ministry of Housing and Local 29.5%
Government (now under Ministry of Energy, Water and Connected Services
Septic Tank
Communications), as the regulator of the sewerage industry.
70.5%
The SSA enabled the federalisation and privatisation of
Sewerage Services. A National Concession Company by End of Concession
the name of Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) was
formed in April 1994 to undertake the management of the
sewerage services throughout the country.
The target in terms of coverage of sewerage systems IWK is now 100% owned by Minister of Finance
under the concession was set as follows: Incorporated under the Ministry of Finance. To date, IWK
has taken over the management of sewerage services in
(a) for the larger local authorities, the percentage of the local authority operational areas of the entire
coverage for connected sewerage systems would reach Peninsular Malaysia with the exception of Majlis
84.3%, with the remaining 15.7 % using individual Bandaraya Johor Bahru and Kelantan. IWK is responsible
septic tanks; to operate and maintain public sewerage systems in these
(b) for the smaller local authorities, 29.5 % of the areas, as well as planning and manage the implementation
population would be served by connected sewerage of national sewerage projects. IWK also assists the
systems, while the remainder 70.5% would use septic tanks Government in controlling sewerage systems built by
developers via approval and certification process.
Category A Local Authorities- The current Institutional framework of sewerage
management in federalised areas of West Malaysia is
depicted in Figure 1.
As at April 2004, IWK operates and maintains over
11%

45% Connected Services


13,000km of sewer network, 7,500 sewage treatment plants
Septic Tank
Others
and 400 network pumping stations as well as provide
44%
scheduled desludging services to over 350,000 individual
septic tank customers.
Beginning of Concession Since privatisation, the country benefited as treatment
plants taken over were refurbished to comply to design
intent, the implementation of capital works for large
sewerage infrastructure were taken aboard, proper
15.7%

Connected Services
sewerage planning and certification works were initiated
Septic Tank for long term sustainability, environmental concerns were
84.3% taken seriously and improved methods on Operation
End of Concession
and Maintenance of Sewage Treatment Plants were
introduced.

BULETIN INGENIEUR 48
feature
Federal
Government

Ministry of Housing and Local Ministry of Finance


Government (now under Ministry of (MoF)
Energy, Water and Communications)
100 % equity

Sewerage Services
Department (JPP)
Regulator under Indah Water
concession agreement Konsortium (IWK)

Concessionaire for the


Control of National provision of Sewerage
Sewerage Development Policy Services

Development & Control of


National Sewerage
Infrastructure Works and
Services

Figure 1: Institutional framework of sewerage management in Malaysia

ASSET PROFILE

Among the assets managed by IWK include various types and sizes of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), which
engage a wide range of technologies.
The sewage treatment plants can be classified as follows

Type 1
Communal septic tanks 60% of Total STPs
And Imhoff Tanks 9% of Population Served

Type 2
Oxidation ponds 7% of Total STPs
18% of Population Served

Type 3
Aerated Lagoon 2% of Total STPs
15% of Population Served

Type 4
Mechanical Plants 31% of Total STPs
58% of Population Served

BULETIN INGENIEUR 49
feature

Apart from STPs, IWK also operates approximately 400 The following are some of the operating statistics
network pumping stations ranging from capacity as low relating to current IWK operations:
as 100 PE to the largest PE of 450,000 (ultimate capacity),
which is Kuyoh Pump station in Puchong. IWK also Resources Current status
operates dedicated sludge treatment facilities throughout Staffing 2,050 staff
the country ranging from simple trenching, sludge lagoons Vehicles (tankers, lorries, vans) 500
and drying beds to a more sophisticated treatment facilities Central Laboratory facilities 3
such as dewatering facilities and digestors. No. of samples /year 35,00
Response to complaints: > 90 % within 24 hours
IWK’S KEY BUSINESS FUNCTIONS 95 % within 48 hours

Over the past 10 years of operating the public sewerage


system in Peninsular Malaysia, IWK has built up a
comprehensive organisation with expertise and capabilities
in the whole range of activities involved in Sewerage
Management. This includes Planning, Certification
Services, Engineering, Operation and Maintenance,
Refurbishment, Project Management, and various other
support services.

Operation & Maintenance


As often stated, the real work of sewage works starts
when the construction of facilities is finished. Among the
range of capabilities relating to operation and maintenance
of sewerage systems are:
Refurbishment
(a) Sewage Treatment Plants Indah Water Konsortium also carries out refurbishment
• Treatment Technology and Process Optimisation of plants taken over for operation and maintenance. This
• Housekeeping, cleaning, aesthetic, safety applies to all plants taken over in block from local authorities
• Repair works structures, fences, internal road at the time of privatisation of sewerage services, those left
• Operation & equipment monitoring over plants approved by local authorities and taken over
• Routine preventive maintenance subsequently. Refurbishment is intended to improve existing
• Laboratory analysis of effluent and sludge sewage treatment plants to meet the intended design
performance.
Refurbishment programme will include activities to
repair/replace equipment, improve safety and operability
to substantially reduce occupational health and safety
risks, improve working conditions for plant personnel,
address defects and further improve the reliability of plant
operations.
Shown below are categories involved for
Refurbishment of STPs and Sewer Network.

Refurbishment of STPs:
(b) Sewer networks (a) Category 5:
• Clearing of blockages, cleaning, desilting and Safety & aesthetics
• Repair of sewers. (b) Category 4:
• Manhole cleaning Mechanical works
• High pressure jetting (c) Category 3:
Electrical works
(c) Sludge (d) Category 2:
• Desludging ISTs, STPs and transportation Civil works
• Treatment of Sludge (e) Category 1:
• Disposal of Treated Sludge To Landfill Major Treatment Performance (process)

(d) Laboratory Refurbishment of Sewer network:


• Monitoring of Effluent Quality for all public (a) CCTV investigations
Sewage Treatment Plants (b) Rehabilitation

BULETIN INGENIEUR 50
feature
Planning and Developer Services Developer Services Section has been officially
IWK offers Planning Services, and has prepared Accredited by UKAS under ISO 9001:2000 effective
Sewerage Catchment Strategies covering all major urban December 17, 2002, for Provision of Certification Services
and growth areas of the country where federalisation has in Reviewing Sewerage Development Submission for the
taken effect. These guides development of new sewerage Malaysian Government (Certificate No: 15507).
infrastructure by the Government as well as private sector
development, and also identification of land required Engineering and Project Management Services
for sewerage facilities. This unit offers a broad range of engineering works,
Planning objectives include: which consists of survey works up to detailed process
(a) develop a sustainable sewerage infrastructure design and project management services for the following:
(b) avoid mushrooming of sewage treatment plants via (a) investigation works for capital works
• rationalisation (b) design brief, detailed design and tender documentation
• upgrading for all kinds of sewerage projects.
• construction of new facilities (c) process and engineering reviews
(c) increase regionalisation (d) EIA/EA , HAZOP studies for sewerage infrastructures
(d) reduce ineffective and inefficient systems (e) sewerage development quality systems
(e) effectively plan and implement capital projects
(f) develop and manage asset database and information The Unit
(a) Comprises a wide range of professionals - project
managers, design engineers, environmental &
Refurbishment Replacement chemical engineers and contract administrators.
Works Works
(b) Managed capital works of total value of RM1000
million and the amount of works completed to date is
RM 700 million
Concession & Backlog Compliance
Works Works (c) Managed engineering consultants for the above works.
(d) Managed full range of project management activities
Fully Integrated
Centralised Sewerage from conceptual design, EIA, procurement of
System
consultancy and construction contract up to testing
Private
and commissioning.
Sludge Treatment Works
Plants (e) Ensures high quality health, safety and environment
practice in design and construction practices.

Developer IWK
New Plants Plants

Over 90 catchment strategies have been completed to


date.
Developer services provide consultancy service to the
Government (JPP) by processing and vetting all
submissions of development proposals by private
developers, and recommending approvals to JPP.
Inspection of works up to final inspection and handover
is also carried out.
The main stages of certification are:
(a) Review of Planning Application
(b) Review of Design Application Research and Development
(c) Intermediate Inspection The evolution and development of the Malaysian
(d) Final Inspection and Recommendation for CF sewerage industry depended on foreign technologies. The
main sources of these technologies are from the developed
nations especially from the USA, Europe and Japan. There
is a need for local research and development to come up
with locally developed treatment technology and locally
developed equipment, to ensure appropriate and fit for
purpose technologies are being utilised in the Malaysian
content.
The design parameters used in Malaysia are based on
findings and development in the developed countries. As
the nature of sewage, climate and micro-organisms differ

BULETIN INGENIEUR 51
feature

from most developed nations, there is a need for local Before the privatisation, research and
research to develop local design parameters based on local development works on sewerage related issues are
conditions and local sewage characteristics appropriate for being carried out on case to case basis. One of the
local applications. thrusts of privatisation is to initiate a more focused
One of the ways for Malaysia to be able to develop its research and development effort in the sewerage
own technological advancement is to extensively embark industry.
upon research and development in the sewerage industry. Collaborative research and development has been
Only through research and development, can the technology, carried out between the National Sewerage
skills and knowledge be developed and enhanced. The Concessionaire (IWK) and local university (UTM) on
development outputs will be very relevant to many other topics related to treatment technology and design
countries of the world with similar climate conditions. criteria. Areas of research include:

• Determination of Per Capita Load And Water Computer and data


Consumption in Sewage Treatment Design logger was use to
monitor daily flow
rates

• Inflow and Infiltration in Sewage Systems Saturated condition


at laboratory

• Magnetic Technology Assessing Sedimentation of Series of permanent


Particles in Sewage magnets for single
and circulated
magnetic treatment

• Application of Bio-Chemical Product in Assisting/


Water sampling for
Improving Treatment Performance Capability of Sewage
laboratory Analysis
Treatment Plant (STP)
at Taman desa
Skudai OP

• Cost Effective Methods Upgrading Municipal Front view of Baffle


Wastewater Stabilisation Ponds System

• The Self-Purification Capability of Malaysian Rivers and location of Sungai


Sewerage Loading-Purify or Pollute Skudai Water Quality
Sampling Station

• Sewage Effluent Reuse – Potential Application In successful


Malaysia application of
sewage effluent for
landscaping in UTM

BULETIN INGENIEUR 52
feature
Collaborative research and development has also been • Environmental issues, including effluent standards,
carried out between the National Sewerage Concession HAZOP, biological standards.
and local university (UPM) on topics related to sludge • Septic tanks, including improvement in design, and
management and reuse. Areas of studies include: its performance.
• Utilisation of sewage sludge as fertiliser for various • Refurbishment, including Imhoff Tanks and Communal
crops Septic Tanks conversion, Biosoil upgrades and
• Utilisation of sewage sludge as soil amendment Oxidation Ponds upgrades.
• Co-composting of sewage sludge and municipals solid • Effluent recycling, including its application in
waste industries, agriculture and landscaping.
• Effectiveness of sludge lagoons in Malaysia • Industrial wastewater, potential discharges into public
• Application of sewage sludge in forest rehabilitation sewerage systems and tariff.
and regeneration • Materials, including studies on corrosion, equipment
• Dewatering of waste sludge by Two Stage Integrated selection and materials selection.
Technique • Community issues, including sewerage charges, billing,
• Sludge thickening and dewatering with a Natural Local financing and public awareness.
Polymer
• Drying of sludge for building material application Accreditation and Training
This unit develops training facilities to the waste
water/sewerage industry. It creates appropriate guidelines
to develop and prepare a comprehensive technical training
programme. The Training programmes will provide
a broad-based, global understanding of sewerage
system management, as well as operations and
A closer look at hand-moulded clay bricks amended maintenance. The scope for training includes developing
with different proportions of sludge Technical Training Modules, grading systems for technical
personnel, establishing Technical
Skill Training Center, providing an effective voice on the
syllabus for the sewerage industry and having the capacity
to implement agreed code of practice and standards.
Fertilizer
Support Services
Besides the above, several support services are also
available for smooth operation, including: -
• Billing, collection, information technology, customer
and support services.
• communications , public awareness, legal, financial
and administrative support

Co-composting Sludge Lagoons THE FUTURE OF THE NATIONAL SEWERAGE


INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

IWK will formulate the Sewerage Development Plan (SDP)


which is the development strategy to improve the sewerage
Forestry infrastructure in the country. The SDP is formulated in order
to recommend efficient disbursement of capital funds in
accordance to the sewerage needs. This plan consists of
definition of each target to be fulfilled by the end of the
planned time starting from 2004 up to 2035. The target at
Other potential areas of research and development the end of the planned period, namely in 2035, is to serve
areas include: 80% of the population with connected services.
• Studies on wastewater characterisation. A total number of 292 urban areas, in 81 districts, were
• Planning issues on siting, cost and land management. selected for incorporation in the proposed SDP. The SDP
• Studies on sewers including rehabilitation, inflow and addresses an urban population and population equivalent
infiltration and sewer modelling. base of 13,421,824 and 16,543,431 at year 2002 and
• Treatment technology as appropriate and fit for purpose 27,541,419 and 38,398,482 at year 2035 respectively. The
in Malaysia. strategy is to meet operational objectives in the short term,
• Sludge management, including treatment, dewatering, environmental improvement and improved service
disposal and reuse. efficiencies and social needs in the long term. BEM

BULETIN INGENIEUR 53
engineering nostalgia

That which was...

B U L E T I N I N G E N I E U R 56

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