BTQS3053 Project and Dissertation II

The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on The Construction

Industry in Malaysia Kuala Lumpur

BY
Tan Seak Boon

DEPARTMENT OF QUANTITY SURVEYING

FACULTY OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
KUALA LUMPUR

2021/2022
The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on The Construction Industry in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysian

by
Tan Seak Boon

Supervisor: Dr. Nor Hayati Hussain

Project dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the

award of Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours)

Department of Quantity Surveying

Faculty of Built Environment
Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
Kuala Lumpur

2021/2022

Copyright © 2021 by Tunku Abdul Rahman University College. All rights

reserved. No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior
permission of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.
 DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY

“The project submitted herewith is a result of my own investigations. All information that

has been obtained from other sources had been fully acknowledged. I understand that

plagiarism constitutes a breach of University College rules and regulations and would be

subjected to disciplinary actions.”

Signature

---------------------------

Tan Seak Boon

Date: 16/9/2021

2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I would like to express my immense gratitude to my University College,

Tunku Abdul Rahman University College for providing me this opportunity to undergo

this subject, Project Dissertation I as one of the requirements to graduate as the Bachelor

Degree (Honours) in Quantity Surveying.

Besides that, I would like to express my appreciation to my supervisor, Dr. Nor Hayati

Hussain for her commitment on guiding me on this dissertation. I would not complete my

dissertation on time without her advices and guidance throughout the progress. She also

provides encouragement to motivate me to work on this dissertation.

Furthermore, I would like to show my appreciation towards my friends who have helped

me by providing their advices when I faced difficulties in preparing this dissertation.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family who support me mentally and financially to

complete this dissertation.

3
 ABSTRACT

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the covid-19 outbreak is a

pandemic. Covid-19 is a global pandemic that changes the global economic. Many

countries adopted a complete national lockdown after an unusual spike in covid-19 cases.

This lockdown decision resulted in complete shut down in many businesses and sectors.

In the construction industry, the covid-19 pandemic caused projects delay in many

countries due to restricted movement of people and resulted completely shut down. Most

projects and developments are postponed until further notice by the government. The

covid-19 caused the suspension of projects, labour impact, job loss, time and cost overrun,

and financial implication. Therefore, this research aim is to investigate the effect of covid-

19 and the effect of the measures implemented by the government on the construction

industry in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The primary purpose is to identify the impact of

Covid-19 in the construction industry. The other purposes are to propose measure to be

taken in order to work during MCO/CMCO/RMCO and to identify the challenges faced

by the contractor, employer and architect. The findings will be benefit all the parties in

the construction industry to understand the situation today during the covid-19 pandemic.

4
 Table of Contents
DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii

ABSTRACT iv

LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF FIGURES viii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS x

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Information 1

1.2 Problem Statement 2

1.3 Research Questions 3

1.4 Research Objectives 3

1.5 Scope of Study 4

1.6 Significance of Study 4

1.7 Research Methodology 4

1.8 Summary 5

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 The impact of covid-19 pandemic on construction industry in Malaysia 6

2.2.1 Financial Impact 7

2.2.2 Construction Work Delay 8

2.2.3 Labour Contraint 8

5
2.3 What are the challenges faced by contractor, employer and architect 9

2.3.1 Contractor 9

2.3.2 Employer 11

2.3.3 Architect 13

2.4 Measure to be taken in order to reoperating during MCO/RMCO/CMCO 14

2.4.1 Covid-19 test, Body tempeture, Worker Sanitized and Social Distancing 15

2.4.2 Workers’ transportation/ Movement of Workers 16

2.4.3 If there are covid-19 positive cases Centralized Labour Quarter 16

2.4.4 Number of Workers/ Visitor 17

2.7 Summary 18

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 19

3.2 Research Method 19

3.3 Data Collection 20

3.4 Questionnaire Administration 20

3.5 Questionnaire Design 20

3.6 Pre-test 24

3.7 Population and Sampling 24

3.7.1 Population 24

3.7.2 Sampling 25

3.8 Technique for Data Analysis 26

6
3.9 Summary 27

CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

4.1 Introduction 28

4.2 Demographic of Participants 28

4.3 Pilot Study 29

4.4 Theme 1: Porject Progress Delayed 30

4.5 Theme 2: Extra Cost and Financial Issues 32

4.6 Theme 3: The Most Difficult Standard Operating Procedure That The Parties in The

Construction Industry Must Comply With 34

4.7 Section A-D of respondents’ feedback 36

4.8 Summary 51

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction 37

5.2 Discussion of Results 37

5.2.1 Project Progree Delayed 37

5.2.2 Extra Cost and Financial Issues 38

5.2.3 The Most Difficult Standard Operating Procedure That The Parties in The

Construction Industry Must Comply With 40

5.3 Objective Review 41

5.3.1 To Identify The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic in The Construction Industry 42

7
 5.3.2 To Identify The Challenges Faced By The Contractor, The Employer and The

Architect 42

5.3.3 To Porpose Measures To Be Taken In Order to Work During

RMCO/CMCO/MCO 43

5.4 Limitation of Study 43

5.5 Contribution of Study 44

5.6 Recommendation For Future Study 44

5.7 Conclusion 45

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Questionnaire

Appendix B: Respondents’ feedback

8
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1: Number of contractors in Kuala Lumpur………………………………..22

Table 4.7.1: Respondents’ Profile…………………………………………………..36
Table 4.7.2: Respondents’ feedback on Section B Question 1……………………..38
Table 4.7.3: Respondents’ feedback on Section B, Question 2 & 3………………..40
Table 4.7.4: Respondents’ feedback on Section B, Question 4 & 5………………..42
Table 4.7.5: Respondents’ feedback on Section C, Question 1 & 2………………..45
Table 4.7.6: Respondents’ feedback on Section C, Question 3, 4 & 5……………..48
Table 4.7.7: Respondents’ feedback on Section D, Question 1 & 2………………..49
Table 4.7.8: Respondents’ feedback on Section D, Question 3 & 4………………..51
Table 5.7: Discussion and Conclusion of the feedback results……………………..61

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Gross Domestic Product by kind of economic activity……………….......1

Figure 2.1: Covid-safe Worker Accommodation and Transport……...……………..12
Figure 2.2: Classification of contractors in Malaysian construction industry……….14

9
 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

G1 Grade 1
G2 Grade 2
MITI Ministry of International Trade and Industry
CMCO Conditional Movement Control Order
RMCO Recovery Movement Control Order
WHO World Health Organization
MCO Movement Control Order
SOP Standard Order Procedure
MKN Majlis Keselamatan Negara
CIDB Construction Industry Development Board
CLQ Centralized Labour Quarter
SPSS Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

10
 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Information

Construction industry is an important sector that helps or contributes the economic growth

of a nation. The construction industry plays a significant role in the Malaysian economy.

The construction industry is sensitive to the economic cycles. According to Department

of Statistics Malaysia (2018), the construction industry has contributed 4.6 per cent to the

Malaysian Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Figure 1.1: Gross Domestic Product by kind of economic activity

(Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2018)

According the Department of Statistics Malaysia Official Portal in the first quarter of

2020 of the economic performance, the construction industry has contracted -7.9 percent

from 1.0 percent. This is the lowest growth since second quarter of 1999. (Mahidin, 2018)

Many countries In Malaysia, the government call for the lockdown as known as

Movement Control Order (MCO) alternative starting on 18 th of March 2020. According

to The Minister, the construction industry in Malaysia suffered RM18.5 billion losses

1
during the first period of nation’s lockdown to prevent the covid-19 virus spread. (Yusof,

2020)

Therefore, this is research is to identify the impact of covid-19 on construction industry

in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia because construction industry is one of the important sector

to contribute Malaysia’s economic growth. Besides that, this research helps to identify

the challenges face by the workers such as the Contractor, Architect and Client in

construction industry in Malaysia which the pandemic like this did not happen before in

Malaysia.

1.2 Problem Statement

According to World Health Organization (WHO) (2020), the covid-19 is a disease causes

by latest discovered coronavirus. Besides that, Edward R Melnick (2020) mentioned that

the covid-19 is a high transmission pandemic and has contributed 250,000 deaths in 2020

June. Moreover, the person who is in construction industry meets the clinical and

epidemiological criteria which is suspected case of covid-19 infection. Especially the

epidemiological criteria because the workers working in an area with high risk of

transmission of virus. Therefore, the person who works in an area with high risk of

transmission of virus is an epidemiological-criteria, said WHO. He also agreed that

continue lockdown to slow the spread of covid-19. In the absence of a safe treatment,

effective vaccine, lockdown is the best option to slow the virus’s spread. (Melnick, 2020).

The issues mentioned above have brought a lot of difficulties to the construction industry

especially the when the MCO extended after every 14 days. According to the RHB

research, the MCO extension is negative to the construction and basic materials sectors.

Most of the construction companies will stop operating their work, said RHB research.

2
The implemented of lockdown have been causing many difficulties in many ways.

However, the covid-19 and lockdown have already plagued the construction industry for

a long time since 18 March 2020 until present. In order to tackle the issue highlighted

above, this research paper aims to propose measure to be taken during covid-19 pandemic.

1.3 Research Questions

The research questions of this study are the following:

a) What are the impacts of covid-19 pandemic to construction industry?

b) What are the challenges faced by the contractor, employer, and architect?

c) What measure to be taken in order to work during MCO/RMCO/CMCO?

1.4 Research Objectives

The research objectives of this study are:

a) To identify the impact of covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry.

b) To identify the challenges faced by the contractor, employer, and architect.

c) To propose measure to be taken in order to work during MCO/RMCO/CMCO

1.5 Scope of Study

The covid-19 pandemic has brought a lot of difficulties to the construction industry in

Malaysia. The construction industry can be categorized into several teams. For example,

the client, contractors, architects and engineers. One of the research objectives is to

identify the challenges faced by the contractors, architects, and the employer. Therefore,

the target respondent for this research paper will be the construction team members in the

construction industry in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The reason why scope of study will be
3
focused on construction industry in Kuala Lumpur because this city has been developed

numerous recently.

1.6 Significance of Study

The reason of conducting this study is to prepare measure to be taken during the covid-

19 pandemic in the construction industry in Malaysia in order to reduce the virus spread

among the construction industry. This research will be beneficial to the construction

industry in Malaysia. Besides that, this research helps the construction industry and the

government to identify the impact of covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry in

Malaysia. The research also will identify the challenges and the difficulties faced by the

contractors, architects, and employer. Therefore, this research voices out their difficulties

in this covid-19 pandemic and also to prepare measure to be taken during the covid-19

pandemic in order to continue their work.

1.7 Research Methodology

In this research, the data is obtained through the primary and secondary data collection.

The research achieves its objectives throughout these primary and secondary data

collections. The primary data is obtained through the interview while the secondary data

is obtained from the article, newspaper, internet and also books. The Statistical Package

for the Social Science (SPSS) helped to analysis the data collected by using appropriate

technique. Therefore, the research objective can be achieved. The meaning of frequency

analysis is analysis and independent sample t-test that used to analyse the data collected

in this research paper

4
1.8 Summary

The background of the covid-19 pandemic has been discussed in this chapter. The

problem of the situation of covid-19 pandemic were been discussed in the problem

statement. Besides that, the research questions and objectives also have been stated in this

chapter in order to achieve the research aim. The scope of study, significance of this study

and research methodology were explained in this chapter as well.

5
 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This chapter will explain on the impact of covid-19 pandemic in construction industry in

Malaysia. Besides that, the construction team members and the challenges faced by them,

and also proposal measure to be taken during the covid-19 pandemic. Last but not least,

the differences between MCO 1.0 and MCO 2.0 will also discuss in this chapter.

2.2 The impact of covid-19 pandemic on construction industry in Malaysia

The covid-19 is a newly discovered infectious disease and it can be transmitted easily

between person to person. For example, crowded places, close-contact settings, and

confined and enclosed spaces. Therefore, the government in Malaysia adopt a national

lockdown on 18 Jan 2020 onwards to prevent and slow down the covid-19 transmission.

However, the covid-19 lockdown has caused a lot of impact on construction industry in

Malaysia.

According to the Laura Wood from Globe Newswire (2020), the covid-19 pandemic has

impacted the Malaysian construction industry output shrink by 14.9% from 2020 to 2024

(Wood, 2020) One of the reasons is the construction sites shut down due to covid-19,

while others continue work by limit exposure. Regardless of the strategy; sustained

operations or stoppage, the construction industry still faces the risk of serious cost or

project management implications said Matt Baker (2020) (Baker, 2020). The most

significant impacts of covid-19 were caused by financial issues, project delivery and

labour constraints said Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (Hana Naz

Harun, 2020).

6
2.2.1 Financial impact

According to Hana Naz Harun & Safwah Abdul Razak (2020), the construction industry

in Malaysia sustained RM18.5 billion losses during the lockdown between 18 March 2020

and 28 April. Total RM18.5 billion losses while RM 11.6 losses have been recorded

between MCO 18 March and 14 April, and RM6.9 billion were recorded according the

reoperating of 13 sub-sectors said Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof

(2020). Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed the present Minister in the Prime Minister’s

Department (Economy) (2020) said the workforce and labour wage contributes of 30%

of the loss which was RM 3.3 billion worth. Besides that, the ejected in use of the

construction material contributes by 42% which worth RM 4.6 billion Dato Seri Mustapa

Mohamed added (2020).

The Construction Industry Development Board found that there are 7,590 construction

sites in Malaysia from 20 April to 20 September. However, there are 149 sites still had

not resumed operations, Fadillah said (2020). He added 45 out of 149 were still closed

due to they were still in trouble with financial issues. The lack of funding and high

overhead cost affected the cash flow in the whole supply chain because of the covid-19

pandemic. It also contributed the decline of the construction industry, said Fadillah (2020).

According to Mustapa (2020), the construction industry has recorded the largest decline

this year 2020 at 44.5%.

2.2.2 Construction work delay

According to Malaysian Institute of Architects and PAM president Lilian Tay (2020),

before the construction work can be done in full capacity, it will still take time due to the

MCO is adopted due to covid-19. The covid-19 precautionary measures must be

7
continued even if the MCO is ended. Thus, the work progress is expected to slow down,

she added (2020) (Poh, 2020). The covid-19 caused the MCO and also global lockdown.

Therefore, the serious decrease of the production of materials is the one of the reasons to

significant delays in construction industry, said Foo Chek Lee, President of Master

Builder Association Malaysia (MBAM) (2020). China, one of the biggest suppliers of

construction materials. For example, China’s decreased in manufacturing output during

China lockdown caused by the covid-19 pandemic has impacted the construction industry

in the world. According to Foo (2020), most of the construction companies or project in

Malaysia imported materials from China such as structural steel materials, sanitary, tile

products, and some construction machinery and equipment. The decreased production

and logistic issues caused the shortage of materials supply available when needed at

reasonable prices, including a consistent supply for every construction industry. Thus, it

caused the construction projects and works delays, Foo added (2020) (Malaysia, 2020).

2.2.3 Labour constraint

According to the Bangladeshi MD Rayhan (2020), who have been working in

construction industry for seven years in Malaysia and Singapore, he has been stuck in his

country in Bhola district since March. In March 18 2020, Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

(2020) announced that to get first approval before travelling no matter existing or new

work pass holder. The reason of the additional border restrictions is to reduce the risk in

imported covid-19 cases. According to Mr Sim Kian Eng, an employer of a foreign

worker, said he is anxious for the foreign worker to return to work for him. They are in

desperate need of worker he added. Besides from foreign worker stuck in their own

country after going back for a break, even new workers have been slow down to enter due

to the border restrictions. According to Mr. Sim, due to the stress of the lack of manpower,

8
his workers are working longer hours than usual with overtime pay. Until today there is

no solution yet for the labour constraint. (Phua, 2020)

Summary

In this section 2.2 has discussed about the impacts of the covid-19 in the construction

industry. The construction economic dropped due to the project shut down and also nation

lockdown. The nation lockdown is forced the construction works stop and it causes the

project delay. Moreover, there is labour constraints problem when the construction works

reoperate because of the foreign workers went back to their countries or stuck in their

countries. Besides that, the section also stated the most remarkable impacts of the covid-

19 in the construction industry were financial issues, project delivery and labour

constraints.

2.3 What are the challenges faced by the contractor, employer, and architect

As mentioned earlier in this research in chapter 1, the MCO adopted by the government

has forced most of the business especially construction industry. According to the

Ministry of Works Malaysia, construction industry may continue during MCO period if

the work is critical. However, all the other construction works, maintenance works were

required to suspend.

2.3.1 Contractor

Workforce Problem

According to the Teh Athira Yusof form New Straits Times, the Malaysia government

allowed of some the construction work reoperating in June 2020. However, the Standard

9
Operating Procedures (SOP) is required construction company to be follwed. Datuk Lim

Kai Seng, the Penang Master Builders and Building Material Dealers Association adviser

said the SOP required construction companies to reduce up to 50% number of manpower

and this would limit the progress of a development project. We need majority of labours

on board and 100 to 200 labours depending on the workload day to day, He added. Besides

that, Datuk Lim said they even need some certified workers to standby if there were

anything happen as well. This is the problem Datuk Lim is faced, with that 50% number

of workers have halved. That will drag the construction progress. (Yusof, 2020)

High construction materials cost

According to the article from 27 group (2020), most of the construction materials in

Malaysia are imported from China and China provides more than 60% steel making

materials and also some key raw materials. The covid-19 pandemic arose the logistic issue

from importing the materials from China. This is to prevent the spread of virus globally.

Therefore, the construction activity will be reduced and it cause a huge reduction in

demand for materials from China. The reduction in demand for materials offsets the

increase price pressure. (27group, 2020)

Supply chain issue

As mentioned earlier in the 2.3.2 high construction materials cost, most of the

construction companies got their materials from China. Thus, many manufacture

companies in China closed due to quarantines. For example, production lines, and

materials stuck in port and cause no transportation for the materials. According to 27

group (2020), the supply chain is affected due to the covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of

manufacturing companies in China closed temporary due to nation lockdown. Therefore,

10
the China manufacturing companies have fallen and expected to remain depressed for

months. (27group, 2020) According to Global Supply Chain Disruption and Future

Strategies Survey Report by Foley & Lardner LLP and Assessing the Supply Chain in a

Post-Pandemic World by Accelerating Trends, there is 70% of the respondent agreed that

the supply chain management shifts due to covid-19. Besides that, the sourcing or

materials from the lowest-cost will be reduced because the companies will lessen focus

on it and there is 62% of respondents expect focus on just in time manufacturing models

will also decrease. (Ann Marie Uetz, 2020)

2.3.2 Employer

Cash Flow and Turnover Problem

Covid-19 caused significant disruption for example, supply chains, sites programmes,

workforce problem and etc. All these problems put a lot significant pressure to the cash

flow. According to Deloitte “The financial impact of covid-19” (2020), the employer of

the construction projects facing the slow sales and payment collections. However, the

employer the huge input taxes from paying the project funds cannot be deducted on time

and causes capital tied up. (Mohamed, 2020) According to the reported from The Star

News (2020), the developers clear their inventory to realize cash. The developers have

been desperate in clearing unsold units by giving promotion and offer discount and this

resulted the inventory level declined. The developer believed this is a positive move to

realize cash flow, the report added. (Star, 2020)

Worker accommodation standard

According to the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, the latest amendments

Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (ACT 1996), the employers are required to
11
provide adequate accommodation and proper housing facilities for foreign workers due

to the covid-19 pandemic. The table below shows the latest labour accommodation SOP.

Figure 2.1: Covid-safe worker accommodation and transport

Besides that, a temporary accommodation for a worker would probably cost RM270 and

the employers who fail to comply with these instructions can be fined not more than

RM200,000 or jailed not more than 3 years or both, said Employees’ Minimum Standards

of Housing. The new law required put additional pressure to the employers to arrange the

accommodation for the foreign workers to avoid fined by the government Malaysia.

According to the New Straits Times (2021), the fined is too extreme especially during

this current situation and it will disrupt the construction industry to prepare for new

initiatives. (Krishnan, 2020)

2.3.3 Architect

According to P Krishna Kumar (2020) a reporter from ETHospitalityWorld, the nation

lockdown left a lot of shadows to the architect and designers while the projects is stopped

in the drawing stages because lack of confidence if the project is still going in the future.

Besides that, Love Choudhary, an architect said projects which are in the design stage hit

12
the most due to many clients are shelving their started projects because the market

predictions of crashing. In the other hand, this is going to affect their business. For

example, the projects are being treated luxury spending and this will affect other projects

which have moved to tender stages, she added. Besides that, late deliver project will

ultimately affecting everyone. The late deliver project might due to the submission of the

relevant documentary to the local authority for approval and less efficient for example,

check on the drawing through computer or laptop and unable to visit to site to approve

the work. According to Abhigyan Neogi, an architect, only less percentage of the architect

willing to work and proof their designs and investing their time to prepare after the

lockdown over. However, up to 70% of architect find it is difficult to work as it has come

to a sudden halt and the cash flow issue arose. (Kumar, 2020)

Moreover, according to a survey by PAM showed that up to 90% of the Architectural

Consultancy Practices (ACP) could not pay their employees after 3 months MCO or more

than that. The survey also showed that the value of the unpaid invoices could probably

support the employees for 5 months during the MCO. Besides that, there will be resulted

a lot of unemployed architect after the MCO is lifted. (Mohamed, 2020)

2.4 Measure by the government to be taken in order to work during

MCO/CMCO/RMCO

According to the Chelsey Poh (2020), the MCO ends does not mean the construction

works to resume and progress normally. In the third phase of MCO period last year in

2020, certain construction works allowed to go back to construction site. For example,

projects with at least 90% completion, G1-G2 contractors as main contractor where the

projects are not exceeding RM500,000.

13
 Figure 2.2: Classification of contractors in Malaysian construction industry

The construction industry allowed 50% of workforce to resume work. Besides that,

construction industry needs to follow the instructions that have been given by the Ministry

of Works and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). According to the

CIDB (2020), the construction industry was the first nation’s economy reopened. The

Ministry of Works work together with CIDB Malaysia and Ministry of International

Trade and Industry (MITI), who created the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that

enable the construction industry operating safely, protect the workers and reduce the

spread of the virus.

2.4.1 Covid-19 test, body temperature, worker sanitized and social distancing

The latest SOP starting from 10 June 2020 according to CIDB Malaysia, it is compulsory

for all the foreign workers in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya to take the covid-19

test. Dato’ Sri Fadillah (2020) directed the contractors in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and
14
Selangor send their workers for covid-19 tests which offered by Social Security

Organization Malaysia (SOCSO). He said the foreign workers who has tested and waiting

for the results are allowed to work but must follow the SOP set by Majlis Keselamatan

Negara (MKN). Besides that, according to him, the body temperature checks must also

be done daily before enter to the construction site. The contractors must make sure every

foreign worker aware of the social distancing. All the new delivered materials, common

areas where the workers used to rest during their break time, equipment after use, and

workers’ transportation need to be sanitized every time after use or more than 3 times in

a day, Dato’ Sri Fadillah added

15
2.4.2 Workers’ transportation/ movement of Workers

According to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and Construction

Industry Development Board (CIDB), the contractors must make sure the movement of

their foreign workers limited. For example, from home to the construction site only.

Besides that, as mentioned earlier in 2.4.1 workers’ transportation, contractors or

company must provide transportation to convenient the movement of their foreign

workers with safety social distancing in the vehicle. However, the contractors or company

are no longer obliged to provide transportation for their workers during RMCO period.

The vehicle is just to transport worker within the distinct and zone concern. The vehicle

must fully sanitized and clean every before use to ensure that there is no virus.

2.4.3 If there are covid-19 positive cases in Centralized Labour Quarters (CLQ)

According to the SOP by the CIDB and MKN, the contractors shall follow the guideline

on Construction Worker Accommodation and Centralized Labour Quarter operation

during MCO period that issued by CIDB and related agency. Contractors shall relocate if

there is a worker in accommodation or CLQ tested positive for covid-19. The worker can

locate separately within the same CLQ to ensure he is away from other workers. The

worker is being monitored by the company to ensure he do not leave the CLQ while

having his quarantine. Besides that, the contractors shall bear with all the medicine cost

of the worker and give full cooperation to the Ministry of Health to conduct contact

tracing.

16
2.4.4 Number of workers/ visitors

According to CIDB and the contractor shall reduce the workers number to a minimum

level or at least 50% from the project stage needed. Contractor shall allow workers who

are not involved with the construction activities on the site shall work from home. Besides

that, the number of visitors shall reduce to a minimum level also. The contractors shall

limit the number of visitors in a day. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Majlis

Keselamatan Negara (MKN) encourage company conduct meeting through online for

example virtual meeting. (CIDB, 2020)

According to Dato’ Sri Fadillah, some of the contractors come up with their own

initiatives to prevent the virus spread from his observation. He had observed that many

contractors prepared several resting areas for the workers instead of one to prevent

workers crowd together in one area, he added. Besides that, Dato’ Sri Fadillah said some

of the contractors even created their apps to track the movement of their workers to ensure

nobody venture out of site area during working hour. In the other hand, the CIDB

Malaysia had inspected total 7,699 construction sites from 20 April to 14 June 2020.

However, there are 17 construction sites forced to temporarily stop due to failing to

comply with the SOP, he stated. Conclusion, 17 out of 7,699 it is still considered good.

(Malaysia, 2020)

2.5 Summary

In this chapter, the basic impact of covid-19 pandemic on the construction industry has

been discussed. Apart from that, the classification of contractors in the Malaysian

construction industry has been shown in a table. In addition, the challenges faced by the
17
contractor, employer and architect has been identified in this chapter also. Furthermore,

the measure that the contractors and other members in the construction industry to be

taken are discuss in this chapter as well in order to reoperating their projects.

18
 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter in this research paper is going to discuss the research methods. There are

include the skill, techniques for the data collection, questionnaire population,

questionnaire administration and design.

3.2 Research Method

There are two methods of data collection, primary source and secondary source. This

research paper is required these; two primary data and secondary data to conduct. The

secondary data mainly are from documents such as Government publish, earlier research,

census, personal records, client histories and service records. While the primary data

collection is from questionnaire, interviewing and observation.

The secondary data will be reviewed in the Chapter 2 Literature Review which includes

the impact of covid-19 on the construction industry, the challenges faced by the contractor,

employer and the architect and also the measure to be taken in order to operating during

MOC/RMCO/CMCO. However, the primary data collection will be adopted qualitative

research method in this research paper. A qualitative research was chosen also because

qualitative method is especially useful in discovering the meaning that people give into

an event that they experience. The qualitative research method can be recognized as

interviewing method. The data will be collected through the questionnaire in the

Appendix. Minimum four respondents who has a sufficiently common knowledge and

experience in the industry for example, project manager, contractor, employer, architect

and quantity surveyor. Primary data will be data related to the impact of covid-19 on the

19
construction industry, the current situation in the construction industry, the measure to be

taken if there is worker tested positive for covid-19. These data will be obtained through

the questionnaire.

3.3 Data Collection Methods

In this research paper, the primary method of data collection was the qualitative

interviews. The qualitative interviews were chosen for several reasons. First, according

to (Kvale, 1996), qualitative interviews is frequently used when studying people’s

understanding of the meaning in their lived world. Means, interviews method is the best

to use when to find out those things we cannot directly feels.

In this research paper, all the interviews were conducted by email for the convenience of

the respondents. The email interview is efficient and effective ways. This makes it

possible for the interviewees with busy schedules to participate in this study. An

unstructured interview was adopted in this qualitative interview. Unstructured interviews

give respondents more ways to answer.

3.4 Questionnaire Administration

The respondents of the questionnaire survey are targeted to the person in the industry who

has sufficiently common knowledge and experience. In this research paper, the

questionnaire will be distributed to the respondents for example, 2 Contractors, 1

Architects, 1 Project Manager/Employers who are in the industry more than 1.5 years.

The questionnaire will be distributed by email and it allows respondents to take their time

to reply.

20
The targeted respondents will be 3 Contractors, 2 Quantity Surveyors, 2 Site supervisor,

1 Architect and 1 Client with minimum 1.5 years in the construction industry. The

targeted respondents will help to analysis the results and help to achieve the research

objectives.

3.5 Questionnaire Design

The questionnaire will be divided into 4 sections. Section A will be the questions related

to the respondent profile. Section B, C and D will be the problem of the pandemic, the

challenges they are facing, measurement to be taken in order to reoperating during the

tough period and the lesson learned from this covid-19 pandemic.

Opened ended questions are selected to design the Section A, B, C and D where the

respondents have to answer in their own words and it can be vocally or written. Besides

that, respondents can answer in their own personal experience or others experience

through their observation. Respondent is required to provide name card to ensure their

professionally and the knowledge are at least in the industry 1.5 years. The distributed

questionnaire sample will be attached in the appendices.

21
 Measure to be taken or implemented in
the construction industry Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia

Impact of the covid- Measure to be taken The lesson that the

Respondent Profile 19 in the in order to operate interviewee learns
construction industry usually during from this covid-19
in Kuala Lumpur RMCO/CMCO/MCO pandemic

Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1

Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2

Q3 Q3 Q3 Q3

Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4

Q5 Q5

22
Section A- Respondent Profile

Section A will be the respondent profile. For example, respondent’s name, age,

experience in the construction industry, company, current position and etc. The purpose

of section A is to understand and get to know well the respondent and also increase the

degree of credibility of the interview content.

Section B- Impact of the covid-19 in the construction industry in Kuala Lumpur

Section B will be the impact of the covid-19 in the construction industry. The reason of

this section is to figure out the current problems and the problems at the first nation

lockdown of the respondent are facing. Besides that, this section also to understand the

problems in the construction industry.

Section C- Measure to be taken in order to operate during RMCO/CMCO/MCO

Section C will be the measure to be taken in order to operate usually during

RMCO/CMCO/MCO. The purpose of this section is to investigate the measurement the

respondent takes or follows in order the work usually and also to understand the

government’s SOP for the construction industry.

Section D- The lesson that the respondent learned from the covid-19 pandemic

Section D will focus on the lesson that the respondent learned from covid-19 pandemic.

The purpose of this section is to investigate the lesson that the respondent has learned

and also the preventions they will prepare to reduce the risk if the pandemic comes. For

example, prepare class to manage pandemic.

23
3.6 Pre-test

Pre-test is required the researcher to go through after the questionnaires have been drafted

and prepared. The purpose of pre-test is to reduce to error and identify error if there is

any or any mistake found in the questionnaire. It allows researcher to correct the mistake

or error before the questionnaire send out to the targeted respondents.

1 selected respondent will be the pre-test respondent of the questionnaire. The respondent

can be any one in the industry without any working experience for example, friends doing

internship in the industry, family member who is studying about construction course and

lecturers. During the pre-test, the research shall take note on the questions that the

respondent could not understand the question or take long time to answer. This could

probably cause by unclear question or any other reasons, such as question need to be

improved and straight forward.

3.7 Population and Sampling

3.7.1 Population

In this research paper, the contractors in the Kuala Lumpur are chosen as population and

sampling. According to the CIDB (2018), the population of medium size and large size

contractor in Kuala Lumpur is 4844 and 3261 respectively.

24
 Contractor Medium Large

G4 1395

G5 2708

G6 741

G7 3261

TOTAL 4844 3261

Table 3.1: Number of Contractors in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3.7.2 Sampling

The method of sampling in the qualitative research is non-probability sampling. In non-

probability sampling the selected individual in the sample is unknown. There are various

types of the non-probability sampling such as purposive, snowball, quota and

convenience. The purposive sampling in no-probability sampling will be adopted in this

research. When it comes to time and cost consideration, the purposive sampling is the

better selection because purposive sampling allows the researcher seeks out the

participants with the specific characteristics.

In this research, the targeted population is the person in the construction industry with

experience more than 1.5 years and knowledge in the industry. Therefore, the purposive

sampling allows the researcher to select the participant in favour of the researcher is more

25
accurate information for the questionnaire. The purposive helps to save a lot of time and

cost because it eliminates unnecessary participant.

3.8 Technique for Data Analysis

There are two types of method for the data analysis available, description analysis and

inferential analysis. The SPSS software is being used in appropriate methods to analysed

the collected data from the respondent to obtain the output to achieve the research

objectives.

The description analysis also called as description analysis and it is use for provide

summary in a large amount of quantitative data. The summary provided by the description

analysis helps the researcher in decision making and conclusion making. The mean and

standard deviation is commonly used to measures in the description analysis. The mean

will show the average of the score of the whole data while the standard deviation column

will show the gap between the mean score and the data.

Besides that, the inferential analysis is commonly used to investigate the result if the

researcher can generalize to represent a larger population. The inferential analysis helps

to determine and compare the mean of the two different groups by using independent t-

test.

In this research, there are three phases to analyse the data. First, the interview transcripts

were reviewed several times, highlight the phrases from the interviews and looking for

the similarities or differences and the categories will be developed. Besides that, the coded

or highlighted interviews or notes and look for relationship within across the data source

and finally the categories will be refined and integrated until the themes are solidified.

The descriptive and inferential analysis will be adopted to analyse the data collected from
26
the respondent via the questionnaire. Moreover, the frequency analysis will be used to

analyse the Section A while the mean and standard deviation analysis was used to analyse

the data in Section B, C and D.

3.9 Summary

In this chapter, the research method used for this research paper has been identified which

is qualitative research method. The questionnaire survey will be distributed to all the

targeted respondents through email. Last but not least, this chapter has discussed the

techniques to prepare questionnaire and the population of the questionnaire.

27
 CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

4.1 Introduction

This chapter in this research paper is going to discuss and analyze each data that was

imputed by the respondents using the unstructured interview method which the question

types will be open-ended questions where do not restrict respondent to preconceived

options. The primary purpose is to identify the impact of Covid-19 in the construction

industry. The other purposes are to propose measure to be taken in order to work during

MCO/CMCO/RMCO and to identify the challenges faced by the contractor, employer

and architect. In order to achieve the objectives. The questionnaire is sent out to the

respondents via email. Thus, this chapter is dedicated to answer the following stated

research objectives and research questions in this research study.

4.2 Demographic of Participants

The results of this research paper are based on interviews of the construction industry in

Malaysia. All participants voluntarily participate in this research paper. The ten

participants in this research paper were chosen in 4 main parties in the construction

industry such as Client, Architect, Quantity Surveyor and Contractor/Site Supervisor in

Malaysia. Some participants are from different construction company in Malaysia and

each participant have experienced 1.5 years in the construction industry. Total

participants there are five participants have experienced more than 10 years in the

construction industry and two participants have experienced 3 years and two participants

have experienced two years in the construction industry. Each participant was interviewed

through email and whatsapp, Email and whatsapp was an effective and efficient especially

during this Covid-19 pandemic. A prepared interview questions will be sent out to all the
28
participants through email and whatsapp. All interviews were conducted between 7 th July

and 20th July 2021 and data was collected between 7th July and August 2021.

4.3 Pilot Study

According to (Yin, 2009), pilot study used when to develop relevant lines of questions

before the actual interview is conduct and to help the process in refining data collection

plans and procedures. In this research paper, the intent was to locate impact of Covid-19

pandemic in the construction industry. However, the participants were hard to find. Thus,

a pilot study was not conducted to the actual interviews. It was known that the interviews

answer might be different during the actual interview. This flexibility proved the

unstructured qualitative interview methods has been adopted for the data collection.

Research Questions

Three primary research questions guided this study:

a) What are the impacts of covid-19 pandemic to construction industry?

b) What are the challenges faced by the contractor, employer, and architect?

c) What measure to be taken in order to work during MCO/RMCO/CMCO?

Research Results

Three different themes turned up from the research data. The three themes identified from

the results of this study included:

a) The construction industry experienced the project progress delayed.

b) The parties in the construction industry experienced the extra cost and

financial issues.
29
 c) The most difficult Standard Operating Procedure that the parties in the

construction industry must comply with given by the government in order to

work during the MCO/CMCO and etc.

The theme 1 “project progress delayed” answered the first research question; “what are

the impacts of covid-19 pandemic to construction industry?” Besides that, the theme 2

“cost and financial issues” answered the second research question; “What are the

challenges faced by the contractor, employer, and architect?” Where theme 3 “follow the

Standard Operating Procedure” answered the research question; “What measure to be

taken in order to work during MCO/RMCO/CMCO?”

4.4 Theme 1: Project progress delayed

10 out of 10 respondents actually experienced with the project progress delayed.

According to the respondent 2 and respondent 4 who has more than 20 years in the

construction industry, “a lot of the projects stop operating due to the first nation lockdown,

MCO” and “project work stopped” respectively, they mentioned. Respondent 10

mentioned “the works completely closed and stop during the first lockdown and the

progress must be delayed for sure”. Besides that, respondent 3 mentioned “the project

progress delayed is the significantly impact of the covid-19 pandemic.” In addition,

respondent 1 noted that “we were not allowed to go back to office”. He had experienced

different phases of lockdown for example, MCO, CMCO, RMCO, EMCO. He reported

different phases of lockdown has different SOP to follow. Even though there is MITI

Approval Letter but they got no right to continue their work as usual during MCO period.

This makes their work progress of completion date delayed very much, he added.

30
Back in 2020 March, Malaysia adopted a complete national lockdown after an unusual

spike in covid-19 cases. This lockdown decision resulted in completely shut down in

many businesses and sectors. However, during the middle of the year 2020, the covid-19

cases were under control by the government of the Malaysia and some of the essential

business and sector such as restaurant, supermarket and also construction industry slowly

resumed operate as usual. However, respondent 7 noted “all parties must follow SOP to

operate as usual” and he mentioned those SOPs as follow; reduce daily working hour and

reduce labour/worker in site cause project progress delayed also. There are a lot of

unexpected conditions would happen in the construction industry, due to the working time

daily, the project progress would be affected too, he added.

Furthermore, respondent 3, respondent 6 respondent 9 noted that a lot of the China

manufactural companies closed due to the serious covid-19 pandemic in the early year in

2020 which the material imported from China would be delayed due to the decreasing

manufacturing output being exported. Respondent 3 said that “the materials need to

import from China delayed due to the serious pandemic outbreaks in China last year. Thus,

it causes our work progress delayed”. Respondent 5 added even though in Malaysia, there

are a lot of the material supplier company could not open during the first lockdown and

it causes him could not commence his work during that time and causing work progress

delay. Besides that, due to the SOPs from the government, interstates are not allowed.

Therefore, his projects in the other States cause delayed also, he added. The covid-19

pandemic has caused all parties in the industry experienced project progress delay.

Therefore, the covid-19 pandemic reduced the effectively and efficiency of the parties to

contribute with their works. This is proved by the feedback of the respondent 8. She

reported “the impact of the covid-19 pandemic is Working from home situation creates

difficulties in checking of drawings and meetings, unable to visit the construction site or
31
supervise works on-site, submission purposes and all liaisons with local authorities at a

minimal and efficiency of running an office is reduced but overheads are maintained”.

4.5 Theme 2: Extra cost and financial issues

The cost and financial issues are always here and they are always faced by the contractor

and employer due to the covid-19 pandemic. According to respondent 1, “the contractor

and employer need to overcome the cashflow and expenses such as rental, labour cost,

and materials have been purchased on site”. Besides that, he also said that the foreigner

labour burden such as accommodation like CLQ is one of the financial issues because

contractor or employer need to provide a proper CLQ to the foreigner labour or else they

are not allowed to start their work. Respondent 3 added, “the company have to provide

Centralised Labour Quarter (CLQ)”. Centralised Labour Quarter (CLQ) is a building with

gated and guarded accommodation for the worker to improve workspace safety.

Furthermore, the respondent 10 mentioned, “the CIDB required all the construction

industry have to provide CLQ to their workers for the ease of monitoring the workers and

control the virus spread” and “the company have to provide all these CLQ which is very

costly”, he added.

Moreover, according to respondent 4 and respondent 6 “we need to provide SWAB test

for them and it is costly” and “company has to bear with the medical fees such as SWAB

test”. Respondents 9 has the same point of view when it comes to extra cost issue. He

reported “extra cost on the foreigner labour for example, SWAB test, face masks and so

on.”.

According to the respondents, the labour burden is one of the financial issues to the

contractor and employer. Also, in respondent 7, he suffers with the cost of the face masks,

32
sanitizer and SWAB test for the labour. He also suffering with the financial issues of the

increased material price. “The construction material price increase due to the covid-19”,

he added. Besides labour burden, the increased material price is also one of the significant

financial issues to the contractor. According to (Loo, 2021), the cost of steel bar increase

started in November 2020. The cost of the bar Y10, Y12, Y40 have increased 25% and

Y16, Y20, Y25, Y32 have increase almost 27%. On the other hand, he reported “we need

to bear with the cost of rental like plant and all these plant and machinery we still have to

pay for the rental even though we cannot operate as usual”. Moreover, the respondent 10

which is the Director of the WYT Construction, he reported the works progress delayed

cause him a lot of damages. He said “The works progress delayed causes the lost revenue

and profit and losses for tax or investment incentive. It also causes additional project

administration costs”.

According to the respondents, the cost and financial issues is 100% on the contractor and

employer. However, that is not 100% on the Architect. From the respondent 8, she did

not mention on the cost and financial issues she is facing. However, she understands the

situation of the contractor and employer and she reported that “I understand additional

cost had to be borne to accommodate the strict SOP required on-site and Covid-19 testing

to be carried-out”. Besides respondent 9 (Ar Shahira Shaharuddin), the respondent 2 there

is no significant cost and financial issues he involves. The only issue he faces related to

the cost and financial is the salary has been reduced due to the MCO. In the conclusion,

according to the respondents, the most significant financial issues are caused by the labour

and work delayed. 100% of the contractor and employer faced these issues. However,

other party like site supervisor and Architect they did not really feel the financial pressure

compared to the contractor and employer.

33
4.6 Theme 3: The most difficult Standard Operating Procedure that the parties in

the construction industry must comply with

The construction industry is allowed to go back to work after the first nation lockdown

on March 2020. However, the parties in the construction industry have to follow the

Standard Operating Procedure given by the government or the CIDB.

From all the data from the respondents, all the respondents reported almost the same SOPs

in order to operate the works as usual. However, some of them have different point of

view on the difficulties SOPs to follow. Respondent 1 mentioned on the SOPs, he said

“parties are required to do swab test (negative as the result) and scan Mysejahtera and

also temperature scanning before allowed to enter site to work.” Besides that, he added

“workers are required to do swab test monthly to ensure the site are safe. Once detection

of positive case. Site will close directly for further action. Site will having sanitize daily

to reduce the possibilities to having positives case. Other than that, workers are force to

wearing mask during working”. The other 9 respondents reported almost the same SOPs

such as wear face mask, scan Mysejahtera, social distancing, swab test, MITI letter,

reduce worker on the site, for example, the respondent 2 clearly description on the SOP

which they have to comply with is control the amounts of workers on the construction

site.

The respondent 1 reported on the most difficulties SOPs to follow “Wearing mask at all

the time when expose to other people. Due to the environment are very bad for ventilation

with work under sunny day”. Besides that, respondent 2, he feels wearing face mask is

the most difficulties SOPs to comply due to the foreigner workers refuse to wear face

mask because they do not see the covid-19 is a serious disease. Respondent 6 supported

wearing face mask is the most difficult SOP to comply with. He mentioned, “wearing

34
mask is the most the difficult to comply with due to the construction site is full of energy

work and worker has to carry all heavy staff it will makes them difficult to breathe”.

Moreover, the respondent 7 and respondent 9 have the same point of view with the

respondents agreed the most difficult SOP to comply with is wearing face mask.

Respondent 7 reported that it is very hard to follow because the weather is hot and

respondent 9 reported “it is hard to work with face mask”.

Furthermore, respondent 3 reported “Carry out swab test periodically to ensure there is

no worker get infected and follow SOP when carry out the work and not allowed workers

leaving site”. It is clearly mentioned the workers have to comply with the SOP also and

the company is required to control the foreigner labours for example not allowed their

labour to leave the site in order to work as usual. Among all the SOP, he reported that

“social distancing is the most difficult SOP to comply with because some of the works in

the construction site have to carry out in close distance between two people”. At the same

time, the respondent 5 also reported that the social distancing is the most difficult SOP to

follow. He said, “keep social distancing 1 meter is very hard in the construction site

because we need to work together within 1 meter sometimes”.

On the other hand, the respondent 4 reported the require of MITI letter to process the

construction work. “For example, some projects are not allowed to work during MCO

period due to the work progress at construction site are under 30%”, she added.

Last but not least, the respondent 10 reported “every SOPs is hard to follow”. In

conclusion, up to 50% of the respondents reported that wearing face mask is the most

difficult SOP to comply with and the reasons are it is hot, hard to breathe and the labour

do not see the covid-19 is a serious disease. Half of the respondents reported the same

results and it should be the significant of study example to focus.

35
4.7 Section A-D of respondents’ feedback

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1. Name & Q2. Name of Q3. Job Title Q4. Years of
Age Company experience in
the industry
Respondent 1 Tan Long PLYTEC Project 4.5 years
Heng Formwork Executive
System
Industries Sdn
Bhd
Respondent 2 Tai Yee Chuan YDI Synergy Site Supervisor 3 years
Sdn Bhd
Respondent 3 Chuah Ching YDI Synergy Site Supervisor 3 years
Hong Sdn Bhd
Respondent 4 CP CSCE Sdn. Quantity 20 years above
Bhd. Surveyor
Respondent 5 Ng See Hup Ng & Chiok Main More than 10
Enterprise Contractor years
Respondent 6 Chan Jia Jun Hup Soon Site Manager 8 years
Construction
and
Renovation
Work
Respondent 7 Tan Kim Fatt CPI Land Main 20 Years and
Contractor above
Respondent 8 Ar Shahira Ira.ruddin Principal 27 years
Shaharuddin Architect
Respondent 9 Wong Chee Wong Huat Site Quantity 8 years
Lam Construction Surveyor
Respondent 10 Wu Soon Seng WYT Director More than 10
Construction years
Table 4.7.1: Respondents’ Profile

36
Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1. How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction
industry?
Respondent 1 During Covid-19, there are several phases are applying with different
SOP. The most affected part is, even the site is having the approval
of MITI Approval as mentioned in CIDB. They have also no right to
being operate during MCO. Some of the team will check on qualified
CLQ in site and approval on the related parties to allowed site
operation. During site close, as per supplier parties we are affected
on the cash flow due to most of the site are being close for few months
without operation. Therefore, we didn’t receive payment on time
while we need to overcome the expenses on company. For site
parties, they are the one who most affected. Their progress of
completion work is delay much. Somehow, they also need to
overcome the cash flow and expenses such as rental, labour cost &
material have been purchasing on site (Plywood). Without progress,
it will affect the time of handover to client and the consumer of the
property.

Respondent 2 Due to Covid-19 pandemic case become serious in Malaysia. As I’m

one of site supervisor, have many site activities need to be stop and
our salary has been cut because of MCO. It was caused many delayed
works at construction industry.
Respondent 3 Significantly cause the delay for overall progress due to the strict
SOP by the government. Also, the materials need to import from
China delayed due to the serious pandemic outbreaks in China last
year. Thus, it causes our work progress delayed.
Respondent 4 Yes, project stop work In MCO 3.0.
Respondent 5 Yes, no works we can start. The client keeps delaying the commence
date due to lack of the capital. Besides that, lots of material supply
company cannot open and no material to start works also. Also, a lot

37
 of works in the other states we cannot commence our work also due
to the SOPs from the government.
Respondent 6 Cashflow problem, supply of material chain affected since most of it
import from China and shortage of skilled worker (Went back
hometown)
Respondent 7 Works delay, the government reduce the working house and want to
reduce worker in the site also and all parties must follow SOP to
operate as usual. It causes works delay. Also, the construction
material price increase due to the covid-19 and we need to bear with
the cost of rental like plant rental etc. All these plant and machinery
we still have to pay with the rental even though we cannot work as
usual. Suffering with all these issues till today.
Respondent 8
1. Working from home situation creates difficulties in checking of
drawings and meetings.

2. Unable to visit the construction site or supervise works on-site

3. Submission purposes and all liaisons with local authorities at a

minimal

4. Efficiency of running an office is reduced but overheads are

maintained
Respondent 9 Construction works delayed due to the supplier companies closed
especially materials need to import from China. The China first
nation lockdown caused the lack of materials.
Respondent 10 Affect a lot, of course works delayed and financial issues. The works
progress delayed causes the lost revenue and profit and losses for tax
or investment incentive. It also causes additional project
administration costs.

Table 4.7.2: Respondents’ feedback on Section B, Question 1

38
Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q2. What are the actions your Q3. Did you experience work
company takes when the first delays caused by Covid-19?
lockdown has been announced? Were you or the company
claiming for the delay damage
/ extension of time?
Respondent 1 For our suppliers’ part, we are For my company, we are no
60% of employee were WFH rights to claim EOT or delay
mode during pandemic. In case we damage for site. But site will
have any emergency issues need to request waiving of rental and
held on office, we are not allowed replacement of damaged
to back office. During MCO, we material on rental product.
are carry out daily meeting on the
morning to have sharing section
by row to explain on different
product and site scope and
progress update. Instead of that we
are still having our nature of task
as usual such as proposal, design,
quotation and all those reports to
fill up the day.
Respondent 2 Work from home. Yes. My company will be
claims about the delay damage/
extension of time caused by
Covid-19. We will issue some
formal letter example like: Site
force to stop works due to Site
permit haven’t approve by
government, suppliers cannot
be deliver the construction
materials to site, etc.

39
Respondent 3 Trying to apply the approval to Yes, company will claim the
start work during MCO, expertise extension of time.
the working speed to catch up the
delay once the approved to start
work
Respondent 4 Apply work permission. Write in the letter to SO for
claim EOT’s and Cost.
Respondent 5 Apply MITI letter Yes, I did experience works
delay but we did not claim for
extension of time because the
client did not blame on us and
understand our situation.
Respondent 6 Cut-pay of salary Yes. I manage to claim EOT
therefore no LD was imposed
for my project.
Respondent 7 Apply Extension of time and Yes.
arrangement work for the
foreigner workers.
Respondent 8 Enable meetings and Delays were caused to
communications via on-line completion of works on-site,
inspections to be carried-out
by authorities. EOT was
applied for by the contractor
due to the MCO
Respondent 9 Work from home, and stop work Yes. And yes, we applied EOT
on site. to extension the completion
date.
Respondent 10 Cannot works and have a few Yes for sure, the contractor
meetings to plan our project will apply EOT to extension
schedule. the construction date.

Table 4.7.3: Respondents’ feedback on Section B, Question 2 & 3

40
Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q4. Will a force majeure clause Q5. What are the labour burdens
relieve you of your contractual you are facing? For example, their
obligation? transportation, accommodation
and etc.
Respondent 1 Not really. Depends on owner of In site, accommodation like CLQ
the property decision. is the most critical part they need
to solve. Without a proper CLQ,
they are not allowed to start
operation. Besides, they also face
the burden of compulsory to have
unpaid leave to reduce the
expenses of company.
Respondent 2 For the force majeure clause Due to my general workers is
part, my company still need living at site, our company have
processing to issues the letter provided accommodation &
and try to claims the delay canteen at site area before the
damage/ extension of time. So covid-19. So the labour issues will
this answer I can’t answers yet at not be the one of burdens by our
this moment. site.
Respondent 3 Yes, because force majeure like Company for provide Centralised
natural catastrophes is not under Labour Quarter on side for the
control by contractor. workers. Besides that, the
workers salary is paid according
to the daywork, so no salary pay
to workers while site is stop
working.
Respondent 4 Yes in PAM Cause 23. 8 (a) Affected, when we need to
provide SWAB test for them and
it is very costly.
Respondent 5 Yes No any extra burden because
cannot work in the first lockdown.

41
 However, after the first lockdown
need to prepare masks and
sanitizer for them.
Respondent 6 No. Yes. Company has to bear the
medical fees for labour such as
swab test.
Respondent 7 Yes, we used that as the reason Yes, for example, buy face masks,
to apply extension of time. SWAB test and sanitizers.
Respondent 8 This question is better answered
Further clarification
by a contractor. But I understand
and justification with
additional cost had to be borne to
supporting
accommodate the strict SOP
documentation would
required on-site and Covid-19
still need to be
testing to be carried-out
submitted to ascertain.
Respondent 9 Yes. Yes, extra cost on the foreigner
labour for example, SWAB test,
face masks and so on.
Respondent 10 Yes of course. Yes, firstly the accommodation
CLQ. the CIDB required all the
construction industry have to
provide CLQ to their workers for
the ease of monitoring the
workers and control the virus
spread and it is very costly. Next
is the covid-19 testing. All the
labour need to go though the test
every week.

Table 4.7.4: Respondents’ feedback on Section B, Question 4 & 5

42
Section C: Measure to be taken

Q1. What precautions from the Q2. Which Government's SOPs

Covid-19 are required at the are the most difficult to comply
construction site? with?
Respondent 1 Site NSC and all the related Wearing mask at all the time
parties are required to do swab when expose to other ppl. Due to
test (negative as the result) before the environment are very bad for
allowed to enter site to work. ventilation with work under
Worker are required to scan sunny day, some of the worker
Mysejahtera and having will having heatstroke.
temperature scanning at entry.
Besides, worker are required to
do swab test monthly to ensure
the site are safe. Once detection
of positive case. Site will close
directly for further action. Site
will having sanitize daily to
reduce the possibilities to having
positives case. Other than that,
worker are force to wearing mask
during working.
Respondent 2 Periodic SWAB test, and control Wear mask. Due to some general
the outsider workers, make sure workers are lack of education.
amount of labour control and They don’t even know the case of
rules are can be achieved at site Covid are very serious. So our
with the Government site Safety officer need to keep
requirement. warning every week in toolbox
meeting to discuss about this
issues. So we also will take some
actions like penalty if some
workers are not wearing the
mask.

43
Respondent 3 Carry out swab test periodically Social distancing, some of the
to ensure the no worker getting work will cause workers.
infected. Follow SOP when carry
out the work and do not allow
labour workers leaving site.
Respondent 4 Beware of social distance, wear Require MITI letter to process the
face mask, temperature check and construction work. For example,
provide hand sanitizer at site some project are not allowed to
work during MCO period due to
the work progress at construction
site are under 30%.
Respondent 5 Follow government SOP, wear Keep social distancing 1 meter it
mask all the time and scan is very hard in the construction
mysejahtera. site because we need to work
together within 1 meter
sometimes.
Respondent 6 Reduced workforce, mask must Wearing mask is most difficult to
be worn at construction site, comply with. Construction site is
temperature check before enter full of energy work and worker
site and scan Mysejahtera to track has to carry all heavy staff it will
Covid-19. makes them difficult to breathe.
Respondent 7 Follow government SOPs and Wear face mask all the time
MITI letter. because it is really hot in the
construction site.
Respondent 8 Air Selangor / SYABAS
1. Covid-19 negative test result

2. Face mask and proper PPE

3. QR scan

4. Cleanliness – hand sanitizer,

washing hand facilities

5. Social distancing especially

during work on-site

44
 6. Reduced percentage of
workers on-site during any
one time/type of work

Respondent 9 Limit workers and social Wear face masks because it is

distancing. In conclusion, follow hard to work with face masks.
SOPs.
Respondent 10 Scan Mysejahtera, follow SOP. Every SOPs is hard to follow to
be honest.

Table 4.7.5: Respondents’ feedback on Section C, Question 1 & 2

Section C: Measure to be taken

Q3. What do you do Q4. What are the Q5. Are there any
with the employee who measures to be preventive measures
worried about the taken in the case of such as temperature
safety of a worksite Covid-19 in the check, free mash, etc
that once exposure to worksite? provided freely to
Covid-19? the workers?
Respondent 1 Those who are related Site will be close Temperature
in the case will have to and having swab checking will be
quarantine for 14days test with the worker provide at the entry
by its own to avoid and report to KKM and required to scan
contact with other once having for each worker
people during the positive case. before enter site.
incubation period Quarantine will be Mask freely to
apply for 14days to workers are
avoid close contact alternative, depends
for others people on employer willing
and spread it out. to provide or not.

45
Respondent 2 What should I do is to In this year January Yes, everything
prevent site outsider (2021), our site have preventive measures
coming to site. If have outsiders are come are provided.
some outsider are in for site walk.
request to visit site, we After one week, this
will discuss is this guys had been test
outsider need positive. So our site
necessary to come to manager received
site or can change to this notices and call
online meeting, if the KMM and the
really need to site government will
walk, we will request give us some
for Swab test report in instruction, and do
24hours. the whole labours
swab test at site. At
the moment, our site
all staff and labours
also force to
quarantine at hotel
or self quarantine at
home. After 0 case
positive had been
test by KKM.
Government
approved us to
continues work at
site.
Respondent 3 To install them to Carry out swab test Company do
protect themselves periodically and provide free mask to
with following the ensure all the staff all the workers,
SOP to reduce the risk and workers follow temperature check
of infected. SOP while carrying before start work.
out the work All the supervisor

46
 for each tread also
help their worker
buying any necessity
and food while all
the workers were not
allowed to leave
construction site and
centralized labour
quarter.
Respondent 4 Enforce the work staffs Stop work Yes
and contractors do RT- immediately,
PCR test disinfect the whole
site and wait for
KKM release letter
Respondent 5 Still follow SOP and Make sure everyone Yes we did provide
keep sanitizing and wears their mask them face mask
wear mark. and go for SWAB always and ask them
test. to change a new
ones after lunch.
Respondent 6 Carry out swab test Stop the work Yes. It is
among the labour. immediately and compousaly to
carry out swab test implement such
among workers. measures as comply
Next, the worksite to Government SOP.
should be sanitized.
Respondent 7 Ask them to go for Close operation, Yes, face masks and
SWAB test. sanitize site and sanitizers.
SWAB test for
everyone.
Respondent 8 Make sure they strictly Stop work and close Yes
adhere to the SOP. If the site. Inform the
they are very relevant authorities.
uncomfortable, to have Testing on all

47
 them communicate workers and to
with the worksite via sanitize the site.
on-line or video Comply with
authorities
instructions.
Respondent 9 Provide face masks, Stop the works on Yes.
hand sanitizers and etc. the site and
to them. everyone go for
SWAB test.
Respondent 10 We provide SWAB Everyone takes Yes, free face masks
test every week. covid-19 test and for the workers.
stop working and
sanitize the site.

Table 4.7.6: Respondents’ feedback on Section C, Question 3, 4 & 5

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1. Would you or your company Q2. Could risk management be

fully use the digital technologies applied during the Covid-19
such as Google Meeting, and etc. outbreak?
as the digital technology proved
the positive solution for large
number of employees?
Respondent 1 Yes, we are using Microsoft Yes, it can list out the risk and
Team to held meeting with client problem with several solution
or internal team to managed each on this special case.
other on the productivity and
solution. In the other word, there
are the trend of digitalize being
implement among the global. We

48
 should step forward on this to
make the work more efficiently.
Respondent 2 As I as a site supervisor, major of In my company, my answer is
works are required to work at site, no. We just follow the rules/
so just meeting with some client Sop set by government required
will choose to online meeting. In and make sure our site are
some site works like concreting achieved all the requirement.
works, installation works are That’s all.
fully required to work at site.
Respondent 3 During MCO, all the meeting is No, need new risk management
carry out by online meeting. for Covid-19 with following
SOP.
Respondent 4 Yes Yes
Respondent 5 No Yes
Respondent 6 No. Small firm usually didn't Yes
practice it.
Respondent 7 Sometimes we use google Definitely yes, but we do not
meeting to discussing to reduce provide risk management
the people in the site. classes to the foreigner works.
Respondent 8 Only if required
Depending on the situation, best
to have a worst case scenario
plan on hand
Respondent 9 Yes Yes. It helps to give basic
knowledge to the company on
managing the risk on anywhere.
Respondent 10 We will use computer for Probably. I am not really sure
meetings to reduce the number maybe big company like
we meet on site. Sunway construction and
Gamuda only can tell the
differences.

Table 4.7.7: Respondents’ feedback on Section D, Question 1 & 2

49
Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q3. Will you or your company Q4. Will you or your company
provide risk management classes issue a new person hygiene
for their employee once in a safety controls/rules on their
quarter year? Where that can site after the pandemic ends?
improve employees know how to
allocate the risk.
Respondent 1 Currently still at the stage of To be confirm. Depends on the
implementation. From my pandemics situation. There
opinion, yes. This will assist our might have a 6 month of
employee to having the proper remain SOP to be apply after
way to overcome the risk and able pandemic ends to ensure all are
to self-manage on it. work in the safer place and
environment.
Respondent 2 Due to this year January, our site The answer is YES. In the
have been tested by some positive covid-19 happens in world, we
case.We provided the awareness notice how the important about
of Covid-19 pandemic are very the hygiene factors. So our site
serious and will force them to will keep to maintain the rules
follow the rules/sop at site. Our like washing hand after site
labours also known how serious of works and wearing mask.
the covid-19 and they also very
cooperate with staff and try to
avoid the covid-19 case happen in
our site again.
Respondent 3 Yes, risk management class carry Safety and health are the
out frequently for example during responsible of all personal that
weekly toolbox meeting. To related to the construction site,
improve basic risk knowledge of so we shall let all the workers
the workers. have well knowledge on safety
and health and control it

50
 together instead of control by
certain people.
Respondent 4 No Yes
Respondent 5 No because we are small company No
will decide after in the future.
Respondent 6 No No
Respondent 7 Yes of course. Yes, probably.
Respondent 8 Maybe for new employees to A Safety Health Officer (SHO)
the office or or a Security Supervisor is a
construction/work site. This is requirement on aconstruction
already available on-site site, depending on the scale of
the project.
Respondent 9 I cannot make decision on that. I Probably, I hope my company
hope my company does. does also.
Respondent 10 Probably, depends on the Not sure on this.
company if they want to provide
those classes for us.

Table 4.7.8: Respondents’ feedback on Section D, Question 3 & 4

4.8 Summary

This chapter showed the results from the interviews of 10 parties in the construction

industry with working in the industry for a least 1.5 years. Findings were presented in

four sections that corresponded with the three primary themes that emerged from the

results. The data analyse within each theme helped to support and provide insight into the

themes.

51
 CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction

This chapter in this research paper is going to discuss the results collected from the

Chapter 4 of this study. This chapter also concludes with recommendations for future

research in the area of the impact of the covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry

in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

5.2 Discussion of results

In Chapter 2 of this research study, three themes were presented the impact of the covid-

19 in the construction industry in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The respondents’ feedback

related to the three themes delineated in Chapter 2 will be descripted. The three themes

are the project progress delayed, extra cost and financial issues and the most difficult

Standard Operating Procedure that the parties in the construction industry must comply

with

5.2.1 Project progress delayed

Based on the results from the respondents’ feedback, all parties in the construction

industry agreed and experienced the project progress delayed. The reason of the project

progress delayed is due to the stop of work. From the results, all parties forced to stop the

project progress when the first lockdown has announced by the government on March

2020 to prevent the virus spread. The China is the first country explored the covid-19 and

the government in China announced the nation lockdown in the January 2020 while the

Malaysia is still being normal. Due to the China nation lockdown, 40% of the respondents

experienced project progress delayed because of the China manufactural companies

52
closed due to the lockdown and the decreasing manufacturing output being exported. Due

to the project progress delayed is caused by the covid-19, 8 out of 10 respondents which

is 80% of the respondents applied to the Extension of Time and able to claimed for the

Extension of Time. However, respondent 5 and respondent 10 did not apply Extension of

Time. The respondent 5 reported “I did not apply Extension of Time because the client

understands our situation and he did not blame us”.

From the feedback of respondent 5, he also experienced the work progress delayed but

no apply to the Extension of Time because of the understanding client. In the construction

terms, the Ex Gratia Extension of Time is given to the respondent 5 by the client. Ex

Gratia Extension of Time means the employer ex gratia waives voluntarily the application

of liquidated and ascertained damages otherwise applicable under the Contract in respect

of delay in completion. Besides that, according to the respondent 10, he experienced

work progress delayed also and no apply to Extension of Time because he is the director.

He reported “yes, the contractor will apply Extension of Time”. From the feedback result

of the respondent 10, the work progress delayed and claim for the Extension of Time has

been enforced.

5.2.2 Extra cost and financial issues

Based on the results from the respondents’ feedback, there are 8 out of 10 which is 80%

of the respondents’ extra cost and financial issue is from the foreigner labour. The seven

respondents have the same comment on the extra cost and financial issue on the foreigner

labour such as SWAB test and provide face mask for the foreigner labour. The foreigner

labour has to conduct SWAB test weekly due to the covid-19 is a serious disease. The

SWAB test is generally cost RM 300-RM 400. It will be a huge amount of money due to

53
the construction industry may has a lot of foreigner labour. Besides that, the construction

site always has to provide face mask to the foreigner labour. According to the respondent

5 (Ng See Hup), he provides face mask to their foreigner labour and ask them the change

a new face mask after lunch break or whenever after they eat. Based on the comment, the

face mask could be expensive and costly due to it is a daily essential to prevent the virus

spread.

Besides that, the respondent 1, 3 and 10 have more comment on the foreigner labour CLQ.

The CLQ for the foreigner labour is the biggest extra cost and financial issue compare to

the SWAB test and provide face mask. It is an extra cost to them because their need to

provide CLQ for the foreigner labour to control their movement and activities. The CLQ

has to follow the SOP of the government for example, the distance between bed and etc.

Every of the CLQ’s SOP cost extra money compare to the previous labour hostel. For

example, if the hostel could fit 10 foreign labours in a room but the CLQ can only fit 4 of

them. They need an extra cost to build or provide more CLQ for the foreign labour and

the larger the area the utilities bills such as electrical bill will be increase too.

Furthermore, the respondent 7 (Tan Kim Fatt) has also comment of the extra cost and

financial issue he has to bear with besides the extra cost on the foreign labour. From the

result of his feedback, he reported the construction materials price increase. The increased

construction materials are also the additional cost and financial issue to the party in the

construction industry. In Chapter 2, the high construction materials have mentioned the

contractor has to bear with the high construction materials due to the world nation

lockdown and cause the reduction in demand for materials offsets the increase price

pressure.

54
From the results of another two respondents, respondent 2 (Tai Yi Chuan), he does not

bear with any extra cost and financial issue due to the covid-19 pandemic. He reported

“my general workers are living on the site and our company provided accommodation &

canteen at site area before the covid-19”. From the feedback, the respondent 2 does not

have any extra cost and financial issue on the foreign labour. Besides that, respondent 8

(Ar Shahira Shaharuddin), she does not have any cost and financial issue. However, she

agreed with that the contractor and employer will have most extra cost and financial issue

than architect.

5.2.3 The most difficult Standard Operating Procedure that the parties in the

construction industry must comply with

From the results of the respondents’ feedback, there are 5 out of 10 respondents which is

half of the respondents have the same thought on this theme. The five respondents agreed

the wearing face mask is the most difficult SOP to comply with due to many reasons.

Based on the results, the reason one is the weather in Malaysia is hot and the labour on

the site difficult to carry out heavy duty because it causes the labour difficult to breathe.

Besides that, the reason two is the labour do not comply with wearing face mask because

they do not treat the virus seriously. They see the virus is just a normal flu.

Besides that, social distancing is the second difficult SOP to comply with from the results

of the respondents’ feedback. 2 out of 10 respondents reported the social distancing is

hard to comply with because the worker in the construction site have to work together

closely. The government SOP is at least 1 metre social distancing between both parties.

The workers have to work together within 1 metre sometimes. In Chapter 2 of this

research paper, the parties in the construction industry have to follow the given SOP in

55
order to operate usually. From the results above, there is 70% of the respondents reported

wearing face mask and social distancing are the first and second difficult SOP to comply

with. Therefore, the 70% of the respondents must comply with the two SOP even though

it is hard to comply with in order to continue work as usual.

Based on the results, the construction works required MITI letter to process the

construction work and the work progress in the construction site under 30% is not allowed

to work during MCO. The comment of her proving the strictly of the SOP and this is the

reason she would say that is the most difficult SOP to comply with. In conclusion, based

on the results from the respondents’ feedback, all the SOPs is not easy to comply with

and there must be some of the SOP is difficult to comply with especially in the

construction industry.

5.3 Objective Review

The research proposal is aimed to prepare the measures in order to operate as usual in the

construction industry and corporate between government and construction industry to

minimise the cases in construction industry. However, the higher the cases in the

construction industry, the higher chances to lockdown and this will cause the financial

issues to the construction industry. Therefore, this research aim is to identify the impact

of the covid-19 and help the construction industry operate as usual to maintenance their

financial. There are three research objectives has been stated in the chapter 1 in order to

reach the research goal. The research objectives are:

a) To identify the impact of covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry.

b) To identify the challenges faced by the contractor, employer, and architect.

c) To propose measure to be taken in order to work during MCO/RMCO/CMCO.

56
5.3.1 To identify the impact of covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry

This objective will be asked in the interview questions and it will show in section B of

the questionnaire. The questionnaire is use to collect data concerning to identify the

impact of covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry. In Chapter 2, there are 3 main

impact of the covid-19 pandemic which are the financial impact, construction work delay

and the labour constraint. The questionnaire is use to collect data concerning to identify

the impact of covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry. The data collected are the

mean data that examined the data collected are the mean data that examined and the data

source and finally the categories will be refined and integrated until the themes are

solidified. The descriptive and inferential analysis will be adopted to analyse the data

collected from the respondent via the questionnaire.

5.3.2 To identify the challenges faced by the contractor, employer, and architect

This objective will be asked in the interview question and it will show in section B of the

questionnaire. In Chapter 2, there are three main categories challenges faced by the

contractor and there is workforce problem, high construction materials cost and supply

chain issue. On the other hand, there are two main categories challenges faced by the

employer are cashflow turnover problem and worker accommodation standard. Besides

that, the challenges faced by the architect also stated in the Chapter 2. Based on the results

from the feedback of the respondents, the challenges faced by the contractor is 100%

similar to the objective 2. Besides that, the challenges faced by the employer has the 100 %

similarity on the foreigner labour accommodation. For the architect, the challenges faced

by the architect has similarity also for example, unable to visit site and checking drawing
57
through computer. The questionnaire is use to collect data concerning to identify the

impact of covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry. The data collected are the mean

data that examined the data collected are the mean data that examined and the data source

and finally the categories will be refined and integrated until the themes are solidified.

The descriptive and inferential analysis will be adopted to analyse the data collected from

the respondent via the questionnaire.

5.3.3 To propose measures to be taken in order to work during

RMCO/CMCO/MCO

This objective will be asked in the interview question and it will show in section C of the

questionnaire. In Chapter 2 of this research study, this objective has been discussed.

Compare with the results from the respondents’ feedback, the respondents mentioned on

the SOP of the government. This is match with the objective in the Chapter 2 where the

parties in the construction industry have to comply with the SOP in order to work during

MCO/RMCO/CMCO. The questionnaire is use to collect data concerning to identify the

impact of covid-19 pandemic in the construction industry. The data collected are the mean

data that examined the data collected are the mean data that examined and the data source

and finally the categories will be refined and integrated until the themes are solidified.

The descriptive and inferential analysis will be adopted to analyse the data collected from

the respondent via the questionnaire.

5.4 Limitation of Study

This project and dissertation have limitation in some extent. The limitations of the study

are:

58
 (a) Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the researcher missed the opportunity to interview

all the respondents face to face. The face-face interview would probably visit to

their places and have more understanding on this situation in the construction

industry now.

(b) Also, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the researcher distributed the interview

question to only ten respondents. It would be great if the research could walk-in

to the construction site to have interview and it could cause more respondents

participate and the result will be more accurate.

(c) Due to the limitation of time period, the researcher conducted the research in the

Kuala Lumpur (West Malaysia) only. It would be better understanding on the

construction site in the whole Malaysia if the time period given is longer.

5.5 Contribution of Study

This study discusses the impact of covid-19 pandemic on the construction site in Kuala

Lumpur, Malaysia. Therefore, it can contribute to the parties who in the construction

industry by giving the knowledge and significant on the impact of covid-19. This can help

and as a guideline to allocate the risk and the manage the potential affection. Moreover,

it helps the construction industry have a clearer understanding on the government SOP to

prevent the fine in the case they fail to comply with.

5.6 Recommendation for Future Study

For future study, the researchers are recommended to carry out this study for West and

East Malaysia to compare the impact of the covid-19 between West and East Malaysia.

Researcher also can focus on more parties to get the results more accurate. Besides that,

the research can also have this study according to the severity of the covid-19. This can
59
help to researcher target the impact of covid-19 pandemic in the different severity of the

covid-19. Moreover, the researcher could go in details about different lockdown has

different SOP to follow. This could help the researcher achieve more accurate results.

However, it requires more time to complete due to there is a lot of lockdown patterns in

Malaysia such as MCO, CMCO, RMCO, FMCO and EMCO.

5.7 Conclusion

In conclusion, all parties in the construction industry in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia have

been affected by the covid-19 pandemic. From the research, the parties suffer with the

work progress delayed, foreigner labour burden, extra cost and financial issue, difficult

SOP to comply with, the labour constraint due to reduction of 50% of the foreigner labour

on site and high construction materials cost. The results from this research show the

contractor and the employer have to suffer more than other parties like architect, site

supervisor and quantity surveyor. The reason these two contractor and employer suffer

more than other parties is they both are the promise and promisor in the construction

contract. Furthermore, based on the results, all parties suggested all those measures to be

taken in order to work as usual. This is one of the objectives of the research paper and

this objective has been discussed in the Chapter 2. From the results of the respondents,

the measures to be taken are all these government SOP such as required of MITI letter,

social distancing, face mask on, scan Mysejahtera and etc.

Last but not least, the covid-19 pandemic has affected the usual work progress of the

construction industry. This has been almost two years where the construction industry has

been affected by the covid-19 pandemic. I believe this is going to improve and the parties

in the construction industry will find ways to live with the covid-19.

60
Project progress delayed Extra cost and financial The most difficult
issues Standard Operating
Procedure that the
parties in the
construction industry
must comply with
100% (10 out of 10) of the 80% (8 out of 10) of the 50% (5 out of 10) of the
respondents experienced respondents agreed the respondents have the same
project progress delayed extra cost and financial thoughts. They reported
issues are from foreigner wearing face mask is the
labour. most difficult SOP to
comply with
40% (4 out of 10) of the 7 of the respondents 20% (2 out of 10) of the
respondents experienced reported the extra cost and respondents reported social
project progress delayed financial issues on the distancing is the most
because of the China foreigner labour are SWAB difficult SOP to comply
manufactural companies test and provide face mask. with
closed due to the lockdown
and the decreasing
manufacturing output
being exported
80% (8 out of 10) of the 3 of the respondents From the result, the most
respondents able to claim reported the CQL is the difficult SOP to comply
their Extension of Time. biggest problem compared with is wearing face mask,
to SWAB test and provide second is social distancing.
face mask.
20% (2 out of 10) of the 1 of the respondent Other than that, the other
respondent no Extension of reported the extra cost and respondents reported apply
Time because one of them financial issues are from MITI letter is the most
is Director/Employer and the increased materials difficult SOP.
another one is contractor price.
where the client gave the
Ex Gratia Extension of
Time.
Table 5.7: Discussion and Conclusion of the feedback results

61
 REFERENCE

Chelsey Poh (2020), “Let’s share the burden of Covid-19 construction delays, say PAM”,
Edgepro, viewed 10th March 2021,
https://www.edgeprop.my/content/1675230/let%E2%80%99s-share-burden-covid-19-
construction-delays-says-pam

Deloitte (2020), “The financial impact of COVID-19”, Deloitte, viewed 15th March 2021,
https://www2.deloitte.com/my/en/pages/financial-advisory/articles/financial-impact-of-
covid-19.html

Department of Statistics Malaysia Official Portal (2020), “Malaysia Economic

Performance First Quarter 2020”, Department of Statistics Malaysia, viewed 6th March
2021,
https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=100&bul_id=R0
9wdGZSektvNmw5T1VCeVphNXRqdz09&menu_id=TE5CRUZCblh4ZTZMODZIbm
k2aWRRQT09

Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan (2020), “Worker accommodation standards: Construction

industry appeals for grace period”, New Straits Times, viewed 20th March 2020,

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/02/669226/worker-accommodation-

standards-construction-industry-appeals-grace-period

Dublin (2020), “Malaysian Construction Industry Market Forecasts 2020-2024- Industry

Output is Forecast to Shrink by 14.9% in 2020 as Construction Activity Has Been
Impacted by COVID-19 Containment Measures”, Global News, viewed 7th March 2021,
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/11/17/2128636/0/en/Malaysian-
Construction-Industry-Market-Forecasts-2020-2024-Industry-Output-is-Forecast-to-
Shrink-by-14-9-in-2020-as-Construction-Activity-Has-Been-Impacted-by-COVID-19-
Containment-.html

62
Dr. Foo Chee Hung, Brandon Loo (2021), “Would the rising of construction materials
lead to house price hike?”, Edge Property, viewed 14th August 2021,
https://www.edgeprop.my/content/1857228/would-rising-cost-construction-materials-
lead-house-price-hike

Edward R Melnick, John P A Ioannids (2020), “Should governments continue lockdown

to slow the spread of covid-19”, thebmj, viewed 7th March 2021,
https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1924

Esa Mohamed (2020), “COVID-19: Analysis of the situation for the construction sector

in Malaysia”, UIA, viewed 20th March 2021, https://www.uia-

architectes.org/webApi/uploads/ressourcefile/666/interview_covid_19_esa_mohamed.p

df

Fadillah Yusof (2020), “Malaysia’s construction industry records $6b losses in first three
lockdown phases”, New Straits Times, viewed 6th March 2021,
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-construction-industry-records-s6-
bil-losses-in-first-three-lockdown-phases

Foley & Lardner, “Accelerating Trends: Assessing the Supply Chain in a Post-Pandemic
World”, Foley, viewed 15th March 2021, https://www.foley.com/-
/media/files/insights/publications/2020/08/accelerating-trends-report-2020_final.pdf

Foley & Lardner, “Global Supply Chain Disruption and Future Strategies”, Foley,
viewed 15th March 2021, https://www.foley.com/-
/media/files/insights/publications/2020/09/foley-2020-supply-chain-survey-report-1.pdf

Hana Naz Harun, Safwah Abdul Rahman (2020), “Malaysia’s construction industry
suffers record deadline”, New Straits Times, viewed 10th March 2021,
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/09/626530/malaysias-construction-industry-
suffers-record-decline

63
Matt Bakker (2020), “Coronavirus and construction site: Build on or shut down?”,

REjournals, viewed 10th March 2021, https://rejournals.com/coronavirus-and-

construction-sites-build-on-or-shut-down/

Kvale, Steinar (1996), “An introduction to qualitative research interviewing”, Thousand

Oaks, CA: Sage Publication, Inc.

P Krishna Kumar (2020), “Covid-19 Impact: Architects, Designers feel the heat as

projects face uncertain future”, ETHospitality World, viewed 20th March 2021,

https://hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/operations/architecture-and-

design/covid-19-impact-architects-designers-feel-the-heat-as-projects-face-uncertain-

future/74894149

Rachel Phua (2020), “Migrant workers stuck overseas amid border restrictions;

contractors struggle with labour crunch”, Channel News Asia, viewed 10th March 2021,

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/migrant-workers-stuck-overseas-

work-permit-construction-covid-19-13652032

Teh Athira Yusof (2020), “MCO: ‘Reducing construction workforce will affect projects’,

New Straits Times, viewed 15th March 2021,

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/04/586175/mco-reducing-construction-

workforce-will-affect-projects

64
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Construction Industry Development

Board (2020), “Standard Operating Procedure for Construction Industry to Operate

During Movement Control Period (MCO)”, Zul Rafique & partner, viewed 20th March

2021,

https://www.zulrafique.com.my/ckfinder/userfiles/files/SOP%20for%20Construction%

20Industry%20to%20Operate%20During%20MCO.PDF

Yin, R.K (2009), “Case Study Research: Design and Methods”, 4th edition, Vol 5. pp. 1-

219, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.

27 group (2020), “Aftermath of Coronavirus in the Construction Industry”, 27 group,

viewed 15th March 2021, https://27.group/aftermath-of-coronavirus-in-the-construction-

industry-2/

65
 APPENDICES

Appendix A: Questionnaire

This questionnaire is meant to gather relevant information for a research title “The Impact

of Covid-19 Pandemic in The Construction Industry in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia”.

_____________________________________________________________________

Section A: Respondent Profile

1. Name
2. Age
3. Company
4. Department
5. Position / Designation
6. Years of Experience in the company / Industry

Section B: The Impact of Covid-19 in The Construction Industry

1. How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
2. What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been
announced?
3. Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company
claiming for the delay damage / extension of time?
4. Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
5. What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc?

Section C: The Measures to Be Taken in Order To Operate As Usual During

RMCO/CMCO/MCO

1. What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
2. Which Government's SOPs are the most difficultest to comply with?
3. What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite
that once exposure to Covid-19?
4. What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
5. Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc
provided freely to the workers?

66
Section D: The Lesson That Interviewee Learns from This Covid-19 Pandemic

1. Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google
Meeting, and etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large
number of employees?
2. Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?
3. Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee
once in a quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate
the risk?
4. Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on
their site after the pandemic ends?

67
 APPENDICES

Appendix B: Respondents’ Feedback

This feedback is meant to gather relevant information for a research title “The Impact of Covid-

19 Pandemic in The Construction Industry in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia”.

______________________________________________________________________________

Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Tan Long Heng, 25

Q2: Name of Company: PLYTEC Formwork System Industries Sdn Bhd
Q3: Job title: Project Executive
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: 4.5 years

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
During Covid-19, there are several phases are applying with different SOP. The most affected part
is, even the site is having the approval of MITI Approval as mentioned in CIDB. They have also
no right to being operate during MCO. Some of the team will check on qualified CLQ in site and
approval on the related parties to allowed site operation. During site close, as per supplier parties
we are affected on the cash flow due to most of the site are being close for few months without
operation. Therefore, we didn’t receive payment on time while we need to overcome the expenses
on company. For site parties, they are the one who most affected. Their progress of completion
work is delay much. Somehow, they also need to overcome the cash flow and expenses such as
rental, labour cost & material have been purchasing on site (Plywood). Without progress, it will
affect the time of handover to client and the consumer of the property.

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
For our suppliers’ part, we are 60% of employee were WFH mode during pandemic. In case we
have any emergency issues need to held on office, we are not allowed to back office. During MCO,
we are carry out daily meeting on the morning to have sharing section by row to explain on
different product and site scope and progress update. Instead of that we are still having our nature
of task as usual such as proposal, design, quotation and all those reports to fill up the day.

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
For my company, we are no rights to claim EOT or delay damage for site. But site will request
waiving of rental and replacement of damaged material on rental product.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
Not really. Depends on owner of the property decision.

Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
In site, accommodation like CLQ is the most critical part they need to solve. Without a proper
CLQ, they are not allowed to start operation. Besides, they also face the burden of compulsory to
have unpaid leave to reduce the expenses of company.

Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Site NSC and all the related parties are required to do swab test (negative as the result) before
allowed to enter site to work. Worker are required to scan Mysejahtera and having temperature
scanning at entry. Besides, worker are required to do swab test monthly to ensure the site are safe.
Once detection of positive case. Site will close directly for further action. Site will having sanitize
daily to reduce the possibilities to having positives case. Other than that, worker are force to
wearing mask during working.
Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Wearing mask at all the time when expose to other ppl. Due to the environment are very bad for
ventilation with work under sunny day, some of the worker will having heatstroke.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
Those who are related in the case will have to quarantine for 14days by its own to avoid contact
with other people during the incubation period

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
Site will be close and having swab test with the worker and report to KKM once having positive
case. Quarantine will be apply for 14days to avoid close contact for others people and spread it
out.

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Temperature checking will be provide at the entry and required to scan for each worker before
enter site. Mask freely to workers are alternative, depends on employer willing to provide or not.

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
Yes, we are using Microsoft Team to held meeting with client or internal team to managed each
other on the productivity and solution. In the other word, there are the trend of digitalize being
implement among the global. We should step forward on this to make the work more efficiently.

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Yes, it can list out the risk and problem with several solution on this special case.
Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
Currently still at the stage of implementation. From my opinion, yes. This will assist our
employee to having the proper way to overcome the risk and able to self-manage on it.

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
To be confirm. Depends on the pandemics situation. There might have a 6 month of remain SOP
to be apply after pandemic ends to ensure all are work in the safer place and environment.
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Tai Yi Chuan, 25

Q2: Name of Company: YDI SYNERGY SDN BHD
Q3: Job title: SITE SUPERVISOR
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: 3 YEARS
Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
Due to Covid-19 pandemic case become serious in Malaysia. As I’m one of site supervisor, have
many site activities need to be stop and our salary has been cut because of MCO. It was cause
many delay works at construction industry.

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Work from home.

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
Yes. My company will be claims about the delay damage/ extension of time caused by Covid-19.
We will issue some formal letter example like: Site force to stop works due to Site permit
haven’t approve by government, suppliers cannot be deliver the construction materials to site,
etc.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
For the force majeure clause part, my company still need processing to issues the letter and try to
claims the delay damage/ extension of time. So this answer I can’t answers yet at this moment.
Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
Due to my general workers is living at site, our company have provided accommodation &
canteen at site area before the covid-19. So the labour issues will not be the one of burdens by
our site.

Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Periodic SWAB test, and control the outsider workers, make sure amount of labour control and
rules are can be achieved at site with the Government requirement.

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Wear mask. Due to some general workers are lack of education. They don’t even know the case
of Covid are very serious. So our site Safety officer need to keep warning every week in toolbox
meeting to discuss about this issues. So we also will take some actions like penalty if some
workers are not wearing the mask.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
What should I do is to prevent site outsider coming to site. If have some outsider are request to
visit site, we will discuss is this outsider need necessary to come to site or can change to online
meeting, if really need to site walk, we will request for Swab test report in 24hours.

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
In this year January (2021), our site have outsiders are come in for site walk. After one week,
this guys had been test positive. So our site manager received this notices and call the KMM and
the government will give us some instruction, and do the whole labours swab test at site. At the
moment, our site all staff and labours also force to quarantine at hotel or self quarantine at home.
After 0 case positive had been test by KKM. Government approved us to continues work at site.

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Yes, everything preventive measures are provided.

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
As I as a site supervisor, major of works are required to work at site, so just meeting with some
client will choose to online meeting. In some site works like concreting works, installation works
are fully required to work at site.

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

In my company, my answer is no. We just follow the rules/ Sop set by government required and
make sure our site are achieved all the requirement. That’s all.

Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
Due to this year January, our site have been tested by some positive case.We provided the
awareness of Covid-19 pandemic are very serious and will force them to follow the rules/sop at
site. Our labours also known how serious of the covid-19 and they also very cooperate with staff
and try to avoid the covid-19 case happen in our site again.

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
The answer is YES. In the covid-19 happens in world, we notice how the important about the
hygiene factors. So our site will keep to maintain the rules like washing hand after site works and
wearing mask.
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Chuah Ching Hong, 25

Q2: Name of Company: YDI Synergy Sdn Bhd
Q3: Job title: Site Supervisor
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: 3 years

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
Significantly cause the delay for overall progress due to the strict SOP by the government. Also,
the materials need to import from China delayed due to the serious pandemic outbreaks in China
last year. Thus, it causes our work progress delayed.

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Trying to apply the approval to start work during MCO, expertise the working speed to catch up
the delay once the approved to start work

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
Yes, company will claim the extension of time.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
Yes, because force majeure like natural catastrophes is not under control by contractor.

Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
Company for provide Centralised Labour Quarter on side for the workers. Besides that, the
workers salary is paid according to the daywork, so no salary pay to workers while site is stop
working.
Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Carry out swab test periodically to ensure the no worker getting infected. Follow SOP when
carry out the work and do not allow labour workers leaving site.

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Social distancing, some of the work will cause workers.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
To install them to protect themselves with following the SOP to reduce the risk of infected.

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
Carry out swab test periodically and ensure all the staff and workers follow SOP while carrying
out the work

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Company do provide free mask to all the workers, temperature check before start work. All the
supervisor for each tread also help their worker buying any necessity and food while all the
workers were not allowed to leave construction site and centralized labour quarter.
Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
During MCO, all the meeting is carry out by online meeting.

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

No, need new risk management for Covid-19 with following SOP.

Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
Yes, risk management class carry out frequently for example during weekly toolbox meeting. To
improve basic risk knowledge of the workers.

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
Safety and health are the responsible of all personal that related to the construction site, so we
shall let all the workers have well knowledge on safety and health and control it together instead
of control by certain people.
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: CP, 50

Q2: Name of Company: CSCE SDN BHD
Q3: Job title: Quantity Surveyor
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: 20 years above

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
Yes, project stop work In MCO 3.0.

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Apply work permission.

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming for
the delay damage / extension of time?
Write in the letter to SO for claim EOT’s and Cost.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
Yes in PAM Cause 23. 8 (a)

Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
Affected, when we need to provide SWAB test for them and it is very costly.
Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Beware of social distance, wear face mask, temperature check and provide hand sanitizer at site

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Require MITI letter to process the construction work. For example, some project are not allowed
to work during MCO period due to the work progress at construction site are under 30%.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
Enforce the work staffs and contractors do RT-PCR test

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
Stop work immediately, disinfect the whole site and wait for KKM release letter

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Yes

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
Yes

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Yes
Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
No
Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
Yes
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Ng See Hup, 47

Q2: Name of Company: Ng & Chiok Enterprise
Q3: Job title: Main Contractor
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: More than 10 years

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
Yes, no works we can start. The client keeps delaying the commence date due to lack of the
capital. Besides that, lots of material supply company cannot open and no material to start works
also. Also, a lot of works in the other states we cannot commence our work also due to the SOPs
from the government.

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Apply MITI letter

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
Yes, I did experience works delay but we did not claim for extension of time because the client
did not blame on us and understand our situation.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
Yes

Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
No any extra burden because cannot work in the first lockdown. However, after the first
lockdown need to prepare masks and sanitizer for them.
Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Follow government SOP, wear mask all the time and scan mysejahtera.

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Keep social distancing 1 meter it is very hard in the construction site because we need to work
together within 1 meter sometimes.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
Still follow SOP and keep sanitizing and wear mark.

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
Make sure everyone wears their mask and go for SWAB test.

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Yes we did provide them face mask always and ask them to change a new ones after lunch.

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
No

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Yes
Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
No because we are small company will decide after in the future.

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
No
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Chan Jia Jun, 26

Q2: Name of Company: Hup Soon Construction and Renovation Work
Q3: Job title: Site Manager
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: 8 years

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
Cashflow problem, supply of material chain affected since most of it import from China and
shortage of skilled worker (Went back hometown)

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Cutpay of salary

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
Yes. I manage to claim EOT therefore no LD was imposed for my project.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
No.

Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
Yes. Company has to bear the medical fees for labour such as swab test.
Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Reduced workforce, mask must be worn at construction site, temperature check before enter site
and scan Mysejahtera to track Covid-19.

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Wearing mask is most difficult to comply with. Construction site is full of energy work and
worker has to carry all heavy staff it will makes them difficult to breathe.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
Carry out swab test among the labour.

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
Stop the work immediately and carry out swab test among workers. Next, the worksite should be
sanitized.

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mask, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Yes. It is compousaly to implement such measures as comply to Government SOP.

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
No. Small firm usually didn't practice it.

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Yes.
Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
No.

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
No.
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Tan Kim Fatt, 42

Q2: Name of Company: CPI Land
Q3: Job title: Main Contractor
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: 20 Years and above

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
Works delay, the government reduce the working house and want to reduce worker in the site
also and all parties must follow SOP to operate as usual. It causes works delay. Also, the
construction material price increase due to the covid-19 and we need to bear with the cost of
rental like plant rental etc. All these plant and machinery we still have to pay with the rental even
though we cannot work as usual. Suffering with all these issues till today.

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Apply Extension of time and arrangement work for the foreigner workers.

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
Yes.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
Yes, we used that as the reason to apply extension of time.

Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
Yes, for example, buy face masks, SWAB test and sanitizers.
Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Follow government SOPs and MITI letter.

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Wear face mask all the time because it is really hot in the construction site.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
Ask them to go for SWAB test.

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
Close operation, sanitize site and SWAB test for everyone.

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Yes, face masks and sanitizers.

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
Sometimes we use google meeting to discussing to reduce the people in the site.

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Definitely yes, but we do not provide risk management classes to the foreigner works.
Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
Yes of course.

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
Yes probably.
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Ar Shahira Shaharuddin, 52

Q2: Name of Company: Ira.ruddin Architect
Q3: Job title: Principal
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: 27 years

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?

1. Working from home situation creates difficulties in checking of drawings and meetings.
2. Unable to visit the construction site or supervise works on-site
3. Submission purposes and all liaisons with local authorities at a minimal
4. Efficiency of running an office is reduced but overheads are maintained

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Enable meetings and communications via on-line

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
Delays were caused to completion of works on-site, inspections to be carried-out by
authorities. EOT was applied for by the contractor due to the MCO

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?

Further clarification and justification with supporting documentation would still need to
besubmitted to ascertain.
Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
This question is better answered by a contractor. But I understand additional cost had to be
borne to accommodate the strict SOP required on-site and Covid-19 testing to be carried-out

Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?

1. Covid-19 negative test result

2. Face mask and proper PPE
3. QR scan
4. Cleanliness – hand sanitizer, washing hand facilities
5. Social distancing especially during work on-site
6. Reduced percentage of workers on-site during any one time/type of work

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Air Selangor / SYABAS

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
Make sure they strictly adhere to the SOP. If they are very uncomfortable, to have them
communicate with the worksite via on-line or video

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?

Stop work and close the site. Inform the relevant authorities. testing on all workers and
to sanitize the site. Comply with authorities instructions
Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Yes

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
Only if required

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Depending on the situation, best to have a worst case scenario plan on hand

Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
Maybe for new employees to the office or construction/work site. This is already available
on-site

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
A Safety Health Officer (SHO) or a Security Safety Supervisor is a requirement on
aconstruction site, depending on the scale of the project.
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Wong Chee Lam, 32

Q2: Name of Company: Wong Huat Construction
Q3: Job title: Site Quantity Surveyor
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: 8 years

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
Construction works delayed due to the supplier companies closed especially materials need to
import from China. The China first nation lockdown caused the lack of materials.

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Work from home, and stop work on site.

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
Yes. And yes, we applied EOT to extension the completion date.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
Yes.

Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
Yes, extra cost on the foreigner labour for example, SWAB test, face masks and so on.
Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Limit workers and social distancing. In conclusion, follow SOPs.

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Wear face masks because it is hard to work with face masks.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
Provide face masks, hand sanitizers and etc. to them.

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
Stop the works on the site and everyone go for SWAB test.

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Yes.

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
Yes.

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Yes. It helps to give basic knowledge to the company on managing the risk on anywhere.
Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
I cannot make decision on that. I hope my company does.

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
Probably, I hope my company does also.
Interview Questions

Section A: Respondent Profile

Q1: Name and Age: Wu Soon Seng, 47

Q2: Name of Company: WYT Construction
Q3: Job title: Director
Q4: Years of experience in the industry: More than 10 years

Section B: Impact of Covid-19 in the construction industry

Q1: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect you or the construction industry?
Affect a lot, of course works delayed and financial issues. The works progress delayed causes the
lost revenue and profit and losses for tax or investment incentive. It also causes additional project
administration costs.

Q2: What are the actions your company takes when the first lockdown has been announced?
Cannot works and have a few meetings to plan our project schedule.

Q3: Did you experience work delays caused by Covid-19? Were you or the company claiming
for the delay damage / extension of time?
Yes for sure, the contractor will apply EOT to extension the construction date.

Q4: Will a force majeure clause relieve you of your contractual obligation?
Yes of course.

Q5: What are the labour burdens you are facing? For example, their
transportation, accommodation, etc.
Yes, firstly the accommodation CLQ. the CIDB required all the construction industry have to
provide CLQ to their workers for the ease of monitoring the workers and control the virus spread
and it is very costly. Next is the covid-19 testing. All the labour need to go though the test every
week.
Section C: Measures to be taken

Q1: What precautions from the Covid-19 are required at the construction site?
Scan Mysejahtera, follow SOP.

Q2: Which Government's SOPs are the most difficult to comply with?
Every SOPs is hard to follow to be honest.

Q3: What do you do with the employee who worried about the safety of a worksite that once
exposure to Covid-19?
We provide SWAB test every week.

Q4: What are the measures to be taken in the case of Covid-19 in the worksite?
Everyone takes covid-19 test and stop working and sanitize the site.

Q5: Are there any preventive measures such as temperature check, free mash, etc provided freely
to the workers?
Yes, free face masks for the workers.

Section D: Lesson learned from this Covid-19 pandemic

Q1: Would you or your company fully use the digital technologies such as Google Meeting, and
etc. as the digital technology proved the positive solution for large number of employees?
We will use computer for meetings to reduce the number we meet on site.

Q2: Could risk management be applied during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Probably. I am not really sure maybe big company like Sunway construction and Gamuda only
can tell the differences.
Q3: Will you or your company provide risk management classes for their employee once in a
quarter year? Where that can improve employees know how to allocate the risk.
Probably, depends on the company if they want to provide those classes for us.

Q4: Will you or your company issue a new person hygiene safety controls/rules on their site after
the pandemic ends?
Not sure on this.