Industrial Training

What Stuff Do They Need To Be Trained
(updated 24/06/07)

I need to start this topic for every now and then my company, Ivory Properties Group would accept new trainees from all colleges and universities as it is mandatory under their University to be trained under actual field or office work.

When they arrived at the site , I would be be asking the usual questions. What are you majoring in and is this your first or final year in the College or University?. After that what subjects have you been studying and "blah" "blah" all the way. From the normal conversation, I started to understand the subjects content of what they have been taught and the final question was how long is your training with us. Some mentioned 6 months and some only 3 months. Oh, what should I teach them in this short period or What Stuff They Do Not Learn in Engineering School? I always remember what my Eldest Brother told me before even after he has graduated from MIT,USA (Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management ,( being humble) I am still very fresh on the road and I will need to know a lot of things in this world. At this time, I was about to finish my external exam paper in UM ( University Malaysia) and about to go out into the world to work. After hearing what he has spoken, one thing flash across my brain, "Se liao,Wa Im Chai Oh Kao Boh Kao". ( I am death, have I learn enough to go out in the world to work?). Remembering what an old and very experience backhoe operator told before, do not need to worry and let face this world one thing at a time, as it come along .

Before leaving my room, I have to assign them to Captain,( Our safety manager ) who will brief them on Safety at Site as required by DOSH (Department of Occupational Safety and Health). After that I went straight over to Mr Ong, our Assistance Site Manager, for his opinion as to whom this trainee should be working under. When everything was in order, I went back to my table and start to read the notes that was left by the trainees.
I started to plan in order to train them correctly. Sometime I do not have so much choice that is to allocate them under the groups that will help them to refresh what they been studying but to send them into any section that would require extra helper.

Anyway, This was what I have planned for them.
1. Surveying work. This is basic of everything in construction.Levelling and Total station work.
2. Type of Drawings. How to relate all drawings from every sections .
Architectural, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical, Plumbing and any outsource drawings like Lift and LPG.
3. Actual construction work from Substructure ( pile caps and column stump and Superstructure Works ( Individual floors slab till typical floor slab construction using the system formwork).
4. Lab test (Mix concrete design from our concrete supplier) and and some soil test (CBR) lab in case they are in hill slope construction
5. Structural Design (Under Ir Chow). In case ,they are studying Civil or Structural Engineering. Sometime the trainee,who is not studying this course would ask my permission to be undergo this module and I normal agreed provide IR Chow agreed
6.And last to be under the Technical Department to learn Autocad Drafting. They are very lucky for the Trainers are normally Architect from Unversity.Why do they require this training? Well, after looking at all the drawings, I realise that a lot of drawings are not properly set in layers and basic compulsory commands are not highlighted in their course and the reason for do this and that. I have personally attended this class and found out why a lot of drafter made dangerous mistake that will affect the constructor.
7. Communication. The most important of the whole training is to speak,write and listening.

By the end of their training, I hope when they would be succeed in getting a good job after they have graduated. Recently, I met a trainee and he thanked me for the training for he has got a job. He told me that the interviewer asked from A to Z, Goodness Me , and he got through with flying colour. After leaving him I thought to myself that this trainee asked many questions when in doubt and that matter the most.


What are the stuff that they do not learn in School

Recently I overheard some people talking during the lunch break.

A to B: I report for work today and they are all calling me Mr. Engineer
B to A: You are very lucky for the company that I work do not border at all whether you are Engineer or not.
C to B: That is okay for we know nothing and only theories. My new company staff ask me to learn one thing at a time and ask if I do not know. Be hard working are their golden advice.
D to A: You are now in the "Real World" and there are a lot more that you all have to learn from now onwards.

I overheard that the next topic was on Salary but I left immediately for my break time was almost up.

The Real World.

Everyone of us are leaving in a cocoon for we are protected most of the time even when we are going through University. Once we are in the real world, "Jiang Wu", there are many questions and the most important is to realise that you have no control over the real world but have to control our behaviour and actions in dealing with the real world out there.
So have the college prepare you for the real world? Definition NO. I always remember what my mum would mention each time when she pray to Lord Buddha, Please let my son meet a lot of "Kwee Zin" (Good and helpful guidance) when working outside in the real world. The real world is not neat. First you have to know that you have to have initiative and do not wait to be shovel with answer. There are time when things just pop up and affect what you are trying to accomplish. Nevertheless you still have to get on and finish your assigned job and the worse is to complete on time. The final answer to everything is "Just Do It" as like a slogan under Nike.

Speak, Listening and Writing

After going through with all the trainees, I realise that most of them in one way or another lack in this topic for most of them are quite poor in communication. Are they taught in nontechnical skill when in University? As many of my friend told me, there is a big different between an Engineer graduated in USA and Britain. and when I asked him why, the answer is the American students have to study Liber Arts and this is not so in other countries.
Anyway, all trainees were asked to speak in English regardless of their race so as to prepare them for better communication.

1.Writing

Most of their reports that they will be submitting will be in English. Hence they have to write in advance all their daily activities. The best way to improve English is to read more. Then when writing use simple, clear and direct language. The computer revolution has assist us with the spell check and that eliminates grammar mistake ,spelling and a lot more. Finally ask peer to go through what you have written and correct all the mistakes.You may feel uncomfortable asking but should not .

When I was a student, I made a lot of grammatical mistakes and even today. I once remembered that I have helped my parent to write a letter to my eldest brother in the United States and when the replied mail came back, I saw my brother correcting all the mistakes I have made with a red ink. I started to improve from that day onwards. In this family of us, all of my brothers and sisters are teachers other than my Eldest brother and I are having a different career. Sin Seh Ka Liao (All teachers) in the family.Other than this, my elder brother will be called upon by my English teacher to explain why my English was so bad. Maybe I did not read the English cartoon story books like Superman , The Green Lantern, Spiderman and so .......

2. Speaking

The first rule of speaking is to know the subject that you are going to talk. Secondly, you must know who your audience and what they expect to hear . The most important is not to be shy but just ask peers beside you to correct your mistakes.I remember once when I have to pick up my son from Primary school and immediately when he approached me at the Chinese school gate, he started to speak to me in English. Just then a friend of his who was passing by and was shocked to hear our English conversation. He quickly asked my son this questions. Xing Yi ,you speak to your father in English ? and my son answered yes. We speak English at home all the time.

3. Listening

For most of us, listening to other when they talk is the most difficult thing to do. Why? Sometime you could be listening to what the other person is talking but are you actually listening to what they are saying? Most of the time, our brain are constantly multitasking and for this reason , we will not absorbing hundred percentage of what are spoken. There are many way to improve our listening skills. First try to reduce any distraction and pay attention to what the person is saying and also their feelings, ideas and overall intent. Second,make sure you reassure the other person you are understnading what they are saying by responding with a nod or if you do not than don't hesitate to ask. The most important is do not interrupt while he is talking or complete the sentence for him for this is very annoying and frustrating to him

Kopitiam of Cukai, Terengganu

The famous Coffee shop

updated 14 June 2007

The Antique wall clock in the coffee shop

When we arrived in Cukai, I received an sms from my brother in law, Kong Heng, informing me not to miss the "Kopitiam" (coffee shop) of Cukai.and again we start to search for this shop .

All of us inside the Kopitiam in Cukai,Terrenganu

What our taste bud tell us : Ho Chiak

Fish cracker of Cukai,Terengganu

Fish Cracker (Keropok Lekur)

Sorry for the delay. Recently very tired due to two new Projects, Moonlight Bay and Island Resort. Trying to understand better the earthwork drawings and also all the feasibility of hill slope construction. Start carrying further research on type of walls to be used in these project and to avoid repeatitive problems, I have to read a book called Landslides in Practice ( Investigation, Analysis and Remedial/Preventative Options in Soil. Well,if there are any thing topics that I do not understand than I have to ask our appointed Geotechnical Expert/Consultant.


Back to Cherating.

After picking up my son, we left Cherating Club Med and took a right turn and drove to Kemaman. Along the way as we approached the town called Cukai, we saw alot of store selling the Fish Cracker. Everybody in the van started to get excited and we decided to stop the following day and see what was so famous of this food called "Keropok Lekur" ( Malaysian language for Fish Cracker.

The process of making the Fish Cracker ( Keropok Lekur)

All this while, fish crackers are one my favourite tidbit. I would have a packet without fail when driving my family to any destination during the our trip. How are they made has been a question all this while. Looking at how they were made clear my doubt .Somebody whispered to me, Uncle, please do not "Lau Nuar" (drop your saliva!!. I quickly turned and to avoid embarrassment started talking to my wife on the other types of cracker, the Dry Fish cracker. There were many type of cracker. the common fish cracker and next the prawn cracker and finally the cuttle cracker in the individual bags. Everybody started to buy some to take home.

Once we were all in the van, we started to eat the cracker and all the comments on how good it taste started to prevail, " Chin Na Ho Chiak", " Beh Pai Chiak" and finally I told them not to finish it for I have only taken a very little. My son asked me not to worry for on our way back we could buy more.

Kuantan Trip (updated 2/07/07

Jimmy with her parent

All of us

Club Med Cherating. Kuantan. Malaysia (1st May 2007)

Where is Club Med? Why there? Well, my son who is studying in Taylor is having his training

there? Most of the time, we will hear these words from him, Dad, wa che hoay cha (English: I am on the train )to go back to the camp. when I reached there the line will be off. Club Med is so big ? I told my wife Club Med has a railway track for taking their guess to some where, maybe to the beach. Ah neh tua? ( SO BIG?) If only we could get a free 2 nights stay there before he leave the training, we could mention more in my blog. Definately, Dad and Mum, it is a SUPERB RESORT as commented by my son over the phone.

Two weeks ago we decided to take a trip to Club Med for my wife has a short holiday and I too have a stretch of holiday to take my trip to Singapore. So on Friday, my Senior Project Manager: Mr Tan ,M & E Manager: Jayson Teoh , Project Architect: Mr Ch'ng and I told a trip to KL for checking and witnessing the Building Automation System (BMS) at KLCC. The following day we went to a shopping complex in Bangsar to study the new District Cooling System (DCS) and after completing the visit, we checked out from the Prince hotel and I took a bus down to Singapore. Arrived Singapore at 10.30pm and took the MRT to my nephew's house at Tiong Bharu.

Singapore

The following day took a MRT to Simei and delivered something to a closed friend and also to David's house who unfortunately was not in but in Phillipine. Well passed some cake to his wife and left. Called Ah Keat and met at Bedok MRT interchange . Check with him on his job application and have breakfast with him .He looked tired. Left him and took a trip to Sim Lim plaza to search my Handphone. Siemens M75. Found it and but bought it on the next day. After completed the search , I took an MRT to Commonwealth MRT station and walked over to my niece house . Chic Chat with her for an hour and return to Orchard MRT station to meet my sister who was teaching in Singapore. My nephew, Eng Hun and family also met us there and all of us took our dinner in Orchard road. I took some snap of the destinaton where I used to sit when I was working back then in 1979.

Kuantan

Here we come, "CLUB MED"

Club Med Entrance in Kuantan

On Monday, I went over to Maybank and clear my transaction and after logging in , I left for Johore Bharu 's bus terminal for my trip back to KL to meet my wife who has travel to KL during the last 2 days. Once I met her, she told me that instead of 3 of us going to Kuantan to visit my son, 4 extra relative were also going for the trip. Well, I have to change from a small car , MYVI to Unser ( borrowed from my brother in law) to accomodate all of them .

Kuantan Trip

From Selayang, KL, to Kuantan town took us 4 hours and from Kuantan to Club Med, it took and extra 45 minutes. When we finally arrived, my son ,Xing Yi, was still in his room and yet to leave. Well searching for my son was quite difficult and he did not mention where to look for him . Even when reaching the staff camp, nobody knows him but we found out that his nicked name is "Papaya". Why? could he be eating alot of papaya in Taylor that ended up with this Nicked name? I wondered. Once entering the van, everybody started to ask him why Papaya. As far as I know my son, he is always search for unique name. I can remember during the Chinese New Trip to Koh Lipe ( Earlier blog), we met a Thai Super model called Pancake. and he was very luckyto have a picture taken with her.

Very Lucky!

In Malaysia, Papaya is one of the unique and the least expensive fruit. Other than that we always eat it when we have constipation. For medical value. the seed inside is very good for people having "pile" problem and the leaf is normally use to tanalise the meat ( if I can recalled what my son told me ). will post a picture later.

Kemaman, Trengganu

cont later.............................................where are the good food? son

Sabai Sabai (Thai meaning relax and be comfortable)

Snorkeling

Where are all the fun young men?


Cheers ..............German,Japanese and Malaysian
........................in perfect Harmony

Singing in public place!...........Well behave?...............Chiak Beiliao

(He must be drunk)............................................(Future Blog)

Happy Hours. Memories are not to be forgot. The Japanese made us all at home.

Asian Bintulu Fertiliser Plant

Khun Thai's Friends

With my Project Manager and Project Director

Khun Thai Friends
(My Thai friends)

Every countries that I went, I met good and sincere friends. Singapore's friends that recommended me to go for oversea job ( one could earn extra income when working in oversea jobs) Mr Chai Kum Fook, a Heartly thank to you and your family for taking me in as your close family friend and especially for the recommendation to work in Iran and so fo....
Mr Siemian ( Agar Siemian: Farsi language) , your help when I was there in Iran. I will also mention in this blog of mine for the rest of friends that have in one way or another helping me in everything I have done. Before I go further, we will talk about my Khun Thai ( Thai Ko Lan) friend

The staffs (part) involved with the Project.

Left to Right ( Mr. Teh, Khun Sakun,Khun Pon,Khun Buay, Khun Mahidol, Khun Mam,Khun

Lixin,Khun Vitaya and Khun Chen.)

Khun Prasat. A Thai and Chinese mixed blood. Very hardworking supervisor and always
being jealous by most Thai staff for he always carry my company Mobile handphone
when at site. Very convenient for him to order concrete whenever he needed it
on top of the building.
Khun Mahidol. Our company driver. He knows most of the area in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand for he has been working in a transporter company
Khun Mam. Our housekeeper . Still working with the present company. as a clerk during my last visit to Bangkok on 2005
Khun Porn. Our storekeeper. She is at present in US. A storekeeper who taught me how to use the bike transport when in Bangkok. Can you imagine how all of sat on the bike.( the rider,she and me?Hee hee!!)

Mr. Wen Lixin. China Architect and is the presently attached to an Australian Architect Firm

having it base in China

Mr Chen Yao Hui. An engineer from China and is presently attached to Consultant Company in Bangkok

Khun Buay. A secretary and is presently attached with UN in Bangkok.

Khun Vitaya. A foreman in the construction site.

Life In Thailand

Chatcuchak Market

Where Do I Stay when in Bangkok

(Ratchadapesik Road)

When I arrived at the Penang Times Square site today, my college engineer Mr. Saw and Augustine told me of the good new that was our boss has reshuffled their itinerary on the June trip to Bangkok. There will be a trip to Chatcuchak Market (open only on weekend). Well, it will be good trip for those on it. A place for shopping from Clothing to Animals, everthing is there, and one should not miss it. Not to forget, my very favourite place during every Sunday where I could find good secondhand English books and a week old magazine like Newsweek and Time. Ah ha!, my wife favourite place to shop for very cheap and good quality children panties (for her eldest sister 7 daughter, hee! hee!)Chatcuchat is now so easily reach by taking a Skytrain to Mo Chit station. My youngest son always mentioned this favourite word, Mummy ko beh teh ko(English word meaning, mum went again to buy underwears)

Where do I stayed when I was working in Bangkok. During my first day, I was sent to a place along Phra Ram 9 and for that I have to wake up very early in order to reach my office on time for the traffic started to jam after 7.30am ,the rush hour for every people going to work. On the first day after my work, I went straight to Sukhumvit road and search for a English book shop called Asia Book for I need to get myself orientated( I was here during my earlier days ( 1980) on my trip to Iran. I found this book shop and from there I took a Tut Tuk, a carriage on 3 wheels (Thai people called it " Sum Low")to Rex Hotel. This hotel was patronised by most Jurong Engineering staffs during their transit to Arabic countries. I was staying here when I went to the Iranian Embassy, situated along Wireless Road, to get my Iranian visa for the first time.
By the time I found my orientation, I started to realise that it was almost 9.00pm. I flagged a Tut Tuk and told the driver to take me to a place called Mona Lisa, a place very famous for Thai Massage. I have no choice but to mention it to him this place because my apartment was a few blocks behind this building and I forget to get name of this apartment from my roommate. During the journey, the driver tried communicating with me in English. Well the conversation between me and the driver was liked a chicken and duck case. The driver telling me that it was expensive and there were cheaper places to go than there. My answer to him was I was going back to my apartment beside there to sleep. but he got a shock that I was going to sleep at the massage parlour. My broken Thai and his broken English. We reached there and when he was about to turned into Mona Lisa, I asked him to turned into the Soi (Thai word meaning lane) beside it and he turned his head in surprise and realised that I was only using Mona Lisa as a landmark to direct him to my apartment. He and I started to laugh loudly. Both of us are "Siau Lang" (craze people)

The following day, after assessing the project, I realised that I have to shift out from this apartment and to be near my work place and the best was to stay in the same apartment as my cousin. My boss mentioned that I should not worry staying at the present apartment for he has arranged for me to have a car . I sat down and explained to him that that this project of his needed full attention and I would have to stay near by and be accessible to it. He agreed and finally got me a room in an apartment called Deluxe Apartment at Soi Ratchadapesik 3 just behind The Embassy of China.

To some people, it was a bad choice shifting out to Deluxe Apartment for it does not have the facilities like the one I was staying during my first few days in the Bangkok. Well my judgement was right for as time passed I have to work even until 3.00 to 4.00am with the rest of the China Engineers and Architect. I stayed in this apartment until the end of the project. Apart from this, I normally window shop arround The Fortune Tower. Here you can find the former Yaohan Supermarket, present called Lotus. During one of my trip back there, the hawkers along the SOI were so happy to meet me again.
My project, the present Telecom Tower, was situated at Rachadapesik Road just opposite the Chinese Embassy and was very near to Grande Mercure Fortune Hotel.

My Thai language

To start off, all the Thai words that I learned were mostly vulgar as they were taught by the construction workers. I do not know of these until my adopted Thai /Chinese(Hainam) sister, Buay, told me. She started to correct all the words that I have learned and censoring them without further questioning. As usual I started to mix with her family and some of University friends at APAC unversity.Her Grandpa,Granny, mum and the rest of the family helped me alot for they cannot speak in English and directly I have to grap the meaning of the words immediately. Only my wife could understand a bit whenever they speak to her in Hainam dialect. Until today, whenever I am in Thailand or meet any Thai people in Malaysia, I would practise my Thai with them. One of my Ivory staff is Mr. Thalwin, a Malaysian who stays near to the Thai border. At time when I knew that people was scolding me in Thai language, I have to pretend that I do not under whatever were mentioned, smile and turn a deaf ear walk away to avoid confrontation.
I cannot write in Thai for I realised that it is very tough. Normally, Buay would help my whole family to buy whatever things in Thailand.The best place to buy things was definitely in Supermarket where the prizes were fixed. The cheapest are along the road, "Thannon" or "Soi" where the Thai people leave

Getting Married

My Wedding Photo

East AsiaTour and at the traditional wedding ceremony

in Ayer Tawar.

International proposal

Each time I left for Iran, in 1980, I would always remember the song, I Am Leaving On The Jet Plane, for I have always tell my wife to wait for me. The main reason was that I have to ensure that I have a secured and stable career before getting marry.
When alone I would always think of how to propose to her. Roses in the hand ,Give her a candle light dinner and whatever method I could get hold off. How How How!!!
It came as a surprised one day when I was about to leave Iran for my R & R , I called her on an international line to inform her of my arrival time in Singapore. Before I could speak further she informed me that my Grandmother who was in China has passed away and my parent wanted me to follow the traditional method that was "Either I Get marry within 3 months ( starting from Grandmother death date)or after 3 years".Chinese Tradition,Tradition . The main reason was my Grandmother always take care of me when I was a small boy when she was here in Penang. She would always feed me when she was seated on the "Bak Lay" (a raised platform) eating her meals. Well, I am the youngest and the pampered one, Ha! Ha!
Immediately after my wife has spoken ,I proposed to her asking whether she want to marry me and she answer YES.
That was my International Proposal. I asked her to inform my parent back in Penang and at the same time I asked her to book her earliest flight to Bangkok. She arrived 3 hours after I have landed . We went to Pattaya for our short honeymoon and had our first memorable pizza at Pizza Hut in Pattaya. When arrived back to Singapore, we went to the photo studio to have my wedding photo taken and just for information I have to stand on a Bang Koo, ( Bench in Hokkien)to look a bit taller in the picture. Well she is taller than me by 1 inch!! Hee Heee........... After the photo shot, we went over to my Elder Brother house and enjoyed our dinner cooked by my sister in law. Not to forget the present given by both of them. The following day we went back to Penang and upon arrival my parent gave us some money and asked me to go to town and buy rings for ourselves. We did not celebrate in Penang for my parent wanted all of us to respect my Granny. Two days later, my dad told us that on the day I flew out of Penang, he will publish in the Chinese Newspaper that we were married. After we left Penang for Singapore, some of the local folks called my dad asking why we did not celebrate and the reason he gave them was that I was very busy and the most important reason was our respect for My Grandmother who has passed away in China.
I would say that I saved a lot over my wedding and by the next R & R trip back,I went over to my wife home town and have a closed family wedding ceremony and a few tables for the dinner.
We went for our honeymoon,21days East Asia tour,Japan,Korea,Hong Kong and Taiwan after I retreated permanently from Singapore When we were in Hong Kong, we visited my sister in law's sister ( oop forget her name )while staying at Holiday Inn.

In this post, I would like to mention that one of my closest friend, Miss Ng Ah Moi (RIP), whom I got to know during my college day has passed away .She was one of my witnesses during my marriage, registration in the year January 1981 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

(edited on 13 May 2007)

Thailand,Sawasdee.

Telecom Tower under construction in 1991


The Telecom Tower,
(formerly called as Tongkah Tower)
Rachadapesik Road. Thailand.
1991



Mr. Teh, my cousin dropped by my house one day and told me that he was going to Thailand to assist his uncle to construct a 32 storey building for he has encountered many problems over there. I told him whether he needed me and he mentioned that he will ask his Uncle once over there. A few days later I received a call and he asked me to sent my CV over. Within a week time, I went to his Uncle house in Penang was immediately interviewed and was on the same flight with him and his family back to Bangkok.
Initial, the apartment I stayed was quite near but then due to the traffic jam, very normal over there, I have to leave for work before 7.00am in the morning and arriving 8.00am. If I left later than that I would reach the site office late.
Here all the workers speak Thai and I have definitely have the same communication problem. After going through so many oversea projects, I am prepare to over come this communication problem. The best solution to everything in the construction is by sketching out the immediate problem. The first day in the field, I was called by the carpenter to go up the building that was under construction and looking at the problem, I started to sketch the solution on the wall with my favourite 0.9mm technical pencil. Why carry such a big pencil lead? Well, normally when I am on site it will be very hard to find a proper piece of paper and the best piece of paper will be the leftover cement bags. In order to avoid disappointment, I would just start writing and sketching on any rough concrete surface and for that you cannot use a 0.3 or 0.5 for they will break easily but not a 0.9mm technical pencil. The bad point of using this 0.9mm pencil was that the lead will finish quite fast and it is costly. Anyway, by the time I finished my sketch, the Thai Foremen would have understand what I wanted them to do. Mission accomplished.
Thai are friendly people and in fact very soft spoken. The main problem with some of them( construction workers) are whenever they receive their salary, they would go all out drinking, " Kin Lao" and for SAFETY MEASURE, I have to give strict order to them that if they find themselves a bit tipsy the following day, please do NOT go to work.. I would also be SABAI SABAI for that day not full force will turn up for work. Sometime very tired for in this project we have to work until 3.00am in the morning for the hollow core slab cannot be deliver during the day except after 10.00pm each night. Traffic Jam!

Penang Projects.June 1984 to August 1991

The Prestigious Hotel Equatorial of Penang,Malaysia

Hotel Equatorial

5 Star hotel on the top of the Golf course

The "Kek Chan" (Hotel) was constructed in Penang and it was built on top of a golf course. My first day at the site was with my boss and also Project manager. Looking at the site, I asked my boss who was to carry out the survey and he mentioned that he has no contracted out the job yet. I told him in that case, I would carry out the survey job and he asked me what do I need? Well, I said 2 Theodolites (calibrated) and one standby in Kuala Lumpur, Head Office,. He answered ok . The following day with the surveyor plan in my hand, I started demarcating all the boundary stones and also the grid set by the License Surveyor. After that I started offsetting all the control points and also the Main grid of the Hotel. Final when the piler turned up, the excavator operator asked me where is the first piling point and I pointed at the peg that was the edge of the slope. The Piling supervisor told me that the excavator will be cutting a path to enable the piling frame to move to it piling location . So when the 1st piling platform was completed, piling started and have to stop for we encountered border below. Well construction for hill slope will always be encountering border most of the time. Not to worry for the experienced excavator, Ah Beng , started to expose and remove all the borders for every piling position before we move in. The next recommended person worth mentioning was the piling foreman, "Lau Chang", who has saved the piling frame from running into the golf course. This incident happened so sudden without the slighted warning and the witty foreman, "Lau Chang",shafted a Schedule 80 pipe into the sprocket of the piling rig to stop it. The piling rig swayed forward and backward before came to tremendous halt. When everything was back to normal, "Lau Chang"asked the operator to park the rig properly and then suspended the job for that day.

Constructing this hotel was very tough and all the survey points must be set once the piling stop. That mean when the operator stop piling at 6.00pm of each day, I have to peg new points immediately so they could continue piling the following day. On points that the piling frame failed to drive in the piles, micropile will be used to replaced them.

This project moved very smoothly except for the reccession. During the project, Mr. Ong Lye Seng, the Project manager guide me very well. Our boss who always turn up taught me what is hotel,from concept to finishing. He would always reminded me not to carry mud with my safety shoe into the hotel once it was in operation. Not to forget the Architect from William,Tong,Goo USA. and also the M&E clerk of work, Mr Chong Kok Mun, who assisted and guide me on the M & E services inside the hotel.

I might have the experience of heavy industries job but Hotel Equatorial was totally different and I have to start fresh, learning on the Architectural and ID work. When Hotel equatorial was completed I found out from the surveyor of the License Surveyor company that his boss was wondering who is this Kang that was carrying out the survey works by himself. He commented that his boss was very pleased with my work after they have completed the 'as built' survey of the whole job. Before I left Hotel Equatorial, I would like to thank, Hon Kee, for being so concern of my daily safety in the field work. He would stay back each day until I have returned to the site office normally around 7.15pm from the bottom of the hill.

There was a period of time before I went over to construct Inventec and during this period , I have managed to learn how hotel was operated and also assisted on the maintenance. Things that you build wrongly will be a problem to them (operation )when they took over the building.

Inventec Electronic Factory, Bayan lepas,Penang

.

The Inventec Factory ( Taken on 2007)

This factory was constructed within 5 months, if I am not mistaken. Mr Ong was talking to me one day on the new job that I will be constructing and I told him that the new project Excel Logistic factory will be very tough and has to be completed in 6 months time. He asked me not to worry for I have completed Inventec factory within 5 months. Do not worry for you would be able to do it was his last comment before leaving me in the coffee shop.

The first thing in my mind was that I have to start and finish this job as soon as possible for this a tendered job and not like Hotel Equatorial , an in house job. Somehow, I am quite confident I could get it done for I have the best of both Heavy and Building industries experience after completing Hotel Equatorial. As usual, I have do everything, from survey to completion ( Pao Sau, Pao High )but not to miss Mr. Ong who assisted in area that I missed and went wrong.

The tough part about this job was the reflection of the sunlight from the sand floor for this is a reclamation site. The fastest steel erection time that I have achieved. This was because I have done it in my oversea job and I personally ensured the bolts for the steel structure were casted and aligned and levelled properly.

The most memorable things of the job was when the Boss of Inventec, a Taiwanese, Mr Wu was standing beside me with an umbrella. He asked whether I need an umbrella and I said no and thanked him. About a few years, I asked my Eldest brother whether he knew of a person called Mr Wu in Inventec and he mentioned that he knows him. Well wishing ,Mr Wu, the very best in his business. I do not have so much remembrance of Inventec except the road which is 1 km .

Penang Development Corporation Town Centre

(PDC) Bayan Baru, Penang

Bayan Baru Town.

As for this township project, there was nothing special and after completing this job,I went back to Hotel Equatrorial. Continue helping the Hotel maintenance team for the defect works Left Lim Kah Ngam Sdn Bhd on August 1991