Malaysia Construction Services (MSC) has been in the construction industry and built environment since 2009, and we have served construction companies in various disciplines as well as providing professional services to design consultants with highly specialized design, reports as well as literature that formed part of the design philosophy.

Apart from spearheading highly specialized designs, MSC is taking another leap forward by providing some basic notes on Professional Engineer (PE) interview and ?Professional Engineer with Practicing Certificate (PEPC) examination. Our sincere contribution is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme to virtually assist freshly graduates and young engineers to achieve their goal as professional engineer. This is a tribute to all senior engineers who assisted us through our journey and hopefully this legacy will continue to aspire future generation in seeking for knowledge more than personal wealth.

Don't forget to read these sections main page for tips and more.


Recent Reviews

  • Sample of Geology and Pedology Report ** This kind of report usually forms the introduction before full geotechnical report and analyses. It also forms fundamental points which will be disseminated in various arguments or validations or parsimonious references; suitable when rendering contexts of discussion and summation.***Based on Soil Map of Sabah, the site is located within an area which consists of two types of main soil association which are; Tuaran and Kinabatangan where both soil types are of alluvium parental material. Nevertheless, the main component of the pedosphere would most likely consist of soil units from the Tuaran soil association. The location of the water intake sits on the meandering belt of the river and the treatment plant is likely sitting on the foot of terraces ...
    Posted Sep 8, 2019, 6:51 AM by jeffery jim
  • Beaufort (Sg. Padas) Flood Modelling I am about to conclude my conference paper on Beaufort flood modelling. It was a study I conducted close to zero-cent cost (except for my time) and yield a satisfactory result. The flood model calibration is quite close to the actual scenario without any bathymetric survey and so on. The flood level calibration is off by 0.07m or 70mm, so I can assume it is significantly accurate considering the model involves closed to 9,000 km2.The call?for paper took place a month ago and this is not my thesis, it is just a second paper for my second proceeding within a period of 5 days with two different organizers. I am not here to seduce you ...
    Posted Sep 8, 2019, 6:49 AM by jeffery jim
  • Slope Failure at Tanjung Bungah, Penang I just got a copy of the Commission of Enquiry Report which highlighted the culprit of the whole incident, the Principal engineer of KAA, Ir. Khoo Koon Tai. He committed gross negligence and could have remedied the problem for more than ten (10) occasions but he prefer to hang the skeleton in his closet.First, what he did is not value engineering. It is the opposite of value engineering for any cost saving design and exercise. After 4 landslip events, he did nothing. What really surprised me is his inability to call for interim monitoring before committing to any design change and slope rehabilitation. Leave alone the other basic engineering practice which he deliberately ignored.Dumbfounded by the whole case ...
    Posted Sep 8, 2019, 6:48 AM by jeffery jim
  • What ductility class structure do we really need? Back in 2015, the largest earthquake with magnitude of 6.0 Richter scale hit Kundasang, Ranau. This incident severely affect many of those residing at surrounding areas with multiple (almost or more than hundred shock waves) after killing many on its initial tremor early morning.One of the most structure that have been investigated ever since by many professionals and academicians is the teachers flat/quarters at SMK Ranau. I did use this as a case study during one of my talk when training Sabah State JKR personnel. It is a classic case study.After almost two or three years after my first article about this when i try to demystify the issue of the safety of the design for ...
    Posted Aug 10, 2019, 9:38 AM by jeffery jim
  • DBP Structural Integrity Isn't rehabilitation and repair possible? Yes, it is possible but it is also an obstinate thing to do. You definitely can change but all the temporary works, false works, form works and etc will be extremely high for preliminaries and generals section. Now, the other problem would be, where can the staging or platform for this rehabilitation work be secured to? None of the structure is sound for a safe working platform connection, shoring or other works.Now, clamps for typical tubular scaffolding system need at least 2 to 3 up to 6kN. With such delamination or dilapidation or worst, loss of surface; where can staging components secured to?Talking about galvanization, oxidation, rusting, corrosion or what so ever ...
    Posted Aug 10, 2019, 9:15 AM by jeffery jim
  • Contract - Extension of Time (EOT) and Loss and Expense (L&E) It has been a while since I played contractual game and most of these issues are about to be deleted from my memory. I will only use these two clauses for some of my tactical planning work for exclusive clients. So here is a short write-up about both clauses in JKR Form 203 and Form 203A.First of all, before we enter into the agreement, all parties should understand the concept of "True Intent" which binds the whole covenant as mutually explanatory for all the avoidance of discrepancies and divergence which may frustrates the original contract. The lack of Instructions by Client is not deem valid if the Contractor acted badly by sitting on the issue or showed negligence ...
    Posted Jul 30, 2019, 8:04 AM by jeffery jim
  • Relationship; SS of FF? Question:You are tasked to designate the relationship between embankment fill and spot turfing at area with land compensation issues. Choose the appropriate relationship and justify why.(10 points)Answer:The key answer and determination of type of relationship depends on the plausible or possible complication during construction and the contractual issue bound to it for EOT purposes.When encounter possible delays caused by a predecessor, always highlight it and let other subsequent activities which are related tied to it be consequential. In this case, instead of using SS, it is best to use FF relationship. If you need additional 14 days for turfing to complete after embankment fill (it is a need to complete or cover the cut or ...
    Posted Jul 20, 2019, 7:57 AM by jeffery jim
  • Landslide and Quake Dam Not many people understood why about this phenomena which keep some people scratching their head when a sudden flood occurred during a sunny day. It happened during the great earthquake which affect areas around Ranau and Kota Belud as well as triggered the largest and devastating outcome after Greg Storm passed through Keningau.Landslide and quake dam is the outcome of built up which creates natural dam from natural flocculation and sediment load due?to various erosion (both banks and surface) and transportation types.The increasing height of debris and sediment create artificial wall(s) which retain and contain water until the point where the hydraulic pressure is greater than the wall (cohesion or friction angle or even combined) and ...
    Posted Jul 20, 2019, 7:55 AM by jeffery jim
  • Honeycomb Repair The second query for this morning is in regards to honeycomb repair - coming from Singapore. A Professional Engineer from Singapore requested the contractor to rectify concrete structure with honeycomb post concreting. Repair work is fairly or relatively easy but it comes with a set of questions like how durable, bonding issues and miscellaneous.The bonding between freshly repaired grout or concrete and the existing concrete infill and cover can be established by using bonding agent instead of using just cement slurry. There is a caveat to this context. The surface to receive both bonding agent and the fresh grout or concrete should have jagged surface and free from feather edge. The application should be based on MDS provided by ...
    Posted Jul 20, 2019, 7:54 AM by jeffery jim
  • Aggressive Soil - Steel and Concrete There is this query coming in about the use of DI pipe instead of MSCL pipe because of aggressive ground. Nevertheless, the site have to aggressive ground except for remote case where there is a lower pH reading close to a drain, garage and recycle collection center. After dismantling these structures, the source of such aggressive substance will no longer affect the underground pipe since by default, the original ground is not filled with possible pyrite. The other possibility is possible runoff from other areas contaminated with acidic compound(s) or substance(s).Pyrite is a byproduct from certain earth with acid sulfate composition which is mainly available around the coast line in Sabah and at times, it is ...
    Posted Jul 20, 2019, 7:54 AM by jeffery jim
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PEPC Exam - General Paper Notes

  • Sabah Enactments and Ordinances SABAH ENACTMENTSCountry Land Utilization Ordinance 1962Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Enactment 1997Drainage and Irrigation Ordinance 1956Environment Protection Enactment 2002Forest (Constitution of Forest Reserves and Amendment) Enactment 1984Highway OrdinanceHousing and Town Development Authority Enactment 1981Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Enactment 1978Land (Subsidiary Title) Enactment 1972Land Acquisition OrdinanceLocal Government Ordinance 1961Mineral Enactment 1999Mining Ordinance 1960Park Enactment 1984Park and Harbour Enactment 2002Public Health Ordinance 1960Railway OrdinanceSabah Land Development Board Enactment 1981Town and Country Planning OrdinanceWildlife Conservation Enactment 1997Under Local Government Ordinance 1961The Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council (Earthworks) By-Laws 1987The Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council (Planting) By-Laws 1982Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council ...
    Posted Jun 16, 2018, 7:08 PM by jeffery jim
  • Juridicial Acts ACT 56 Evidence Act 1950 An Act to define the law of evidence.ACT 67 Civil Law Act 1956 An Act relating to the civil law to be administered in Malaysia.ACT 88 Official Secrets Act 1972 An Act to revise and consolidate the law relating to the protection of official secrets.ACT 91 Courts of Judicature Act 1964 An act relating to the superior Courts of Judicature.ACT 92 Subordinate Courts Act 1948 An Act relating to the inferior courts in Peninsular Malaysia.Section 1(2) This Act shall not apply to Sabah and Sarawak.ACT 345 Criminal Justice Act 1953* An Act relating to penal servitude, methods of imprisonment and whipping; and for purposes connected therewith. Section 1 ...
    Posted Jun 16, 2018, 7:06 PM by jeffery jim
  • Employment and Management Act ACT 4 Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 An Act to provide social security in certain contingencies and to make provision for certain other matters in relation to it.?ACT 53 Income Tax Act 1967 An Act for the imposition of income tax.ACT 62 Audit Act 1957 An Act to make provision for the audit of the accounts of the Federation, of the States and of certain the authorities and specified bodies.ACT 64 Sales Tax Act 1972 An Act to make provision for the charging, levying and collecting of sales tax.ACT 135 Partnership Act 1961 An Act relating to partnership.ACT 155 Immigration Act 1959/63 An Act relating to immigration. *This Act applies throughout Malaysia subject to ...
    Posted Jun 16, 2018, 7:06 PM by jeffery jim
  • Supplementary Acts ACT 117 Architects Act 1967 An Act to provide for the registration of architects, sole proprietorships, partnerships and bodies corporate providing architectural consultancy services, interior designers and building draughtsmen and matters connected therewith.ACT 120 Government Contracts Act 1949 An Act for the making of contracts on behalf of the Government, and the Governments of the States, and for matters connected therewith.ACT 129 Geological Survey Act 1974 An Act to regulate and control geological surveys, to establish geological archives and to provide for matters incidental thereto.ACT 136 Contracts Act 1950 An Act relating to contracts.ACT 207 Explosive Act 1957 An Act relating to the manufacture, use, sale, storage, transport, import and export of explosives.ACT 231 Highway ...
    Posted Jun 16, 2018, 7:04 PM by jeffery jim
  • Acts related to other engineering ACT 341 Fire Services Act 1988An Act to make necessary provision for the effective and efficient functioning of the Fire and Rescue Department, for the protection of persons and property from fire risks and for purposes connected therewith. Section 1(2) This Act shall come into operation on a date to be appointed by the Minister by notification in the Gazette; and different dates may be appointed for the coming into operation of this Act, or of different provisions of this Act, in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak respectively.ACT 447 Electricity Supply Act 1990An Act to provide for the regulation of the electricity supply industry, the supply of electricity at reasonable prices, the licensing of any electrical ...
    Posted Jun 16, 2018, 7:03 PM by jeffery jim
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PEPC Exam - Civil Engineering Paper Notes

  • Theory of Structure - Questions Most of the time, some of the basics or fundamentals in regard to theory of structure will be tested and gauged in both objective and subjective paper.?For objective paper, most of the questions require you to demonstrate understanding and solve simple equations and key concepts.?As for key concept, it is always about the likely shape of a diagram or a graph correspond to the question. Usually objective paper requires an efficiency of answering each question in 2.5 minutes. Hence, all possible questions are those questions which require around 5 minutes without proper training or skill.The following paper is the subjective paper. If theory structure is one of the main questions, it evolves around a few other ...
    Posted Jul 24, 2019, 9:41 AM by jeffery jim
  • BS1377 Methods of Test for Soils for Civil Engineering Purposes BS1277: 1990 consist of 9 Parts: Part 1: General requirements and sample preparation; Part 2: Classification tests; Part 3: Chemical and electro-chemical tests; Part 4: Compaction-related tests; Part 5: Compressibility, permeability and durability tests; Part 6: Consolidation and permeability tests in hydraulic cells and with pore pressure measurement; Part 7: Shear strength tests (total stress); Part 8: Shear strength tests (effective stress); Part 9: In-situ tests. ? 3.1.1 Part 1. General requirements and sample preparation Part 1 of this standard contains general information relating to the tests, common calibration and specification requirements and general requirements for testing laboratories and field work. It also includes details of procedures for the preparation of disturbed and undisturbed samples, where ...
    Posted Jun 16, 2018, 8:07 PM by jeffery jim
  • UBBL Part 5 - Structural Requirements The followings are comments for structural requirements as per Part 5 of the UBBL versus in-place British Standards.Part 5 By-law 53: Building materialsParagraph (1) Any material used –(a) In the erection of a building;(b) In the structural alteration or extension of a building;(c) In the execution of works of the installation of fittings, being works or fittings to which any provision of these By-laws applies or?(d) For the backfilling of any excavation on a site in connection with any building or works or fittings to which any provision of these By-laws applies shall be(aa) of a suitable nature and quality in relation to the purpose and condition in which they ...
    Posted Jun 16, 2018, 8:00 PM by jeffery jim
  • General Tips on Technical Paper 1 & 2 The technical papers are far from the actual exercise in weighing your ability as a great engineer with in-depth knowledge in various disciplines and good in troubleshooting technical issues; instead it is a true test to see if you are able to perform accordingly and diligently as a chartered engineer. I was wrong for I actually think the evaluation is something similar to ICE format which emphasizes on trouble shooting as a sound civil engineer. Not in this case and not within the provided time limit.Therefore, it is best for all senior engineers to prepare themselves with the basic of engineering design which can be executed manually. The drawbacks for many experienced engineers in this exam will be ...
    Posted Jun 16, 2018, 9:23 AM by jeffery jim
  • Part B - Examination scopes The candidates who are sitting for the Civil Engineering are expected to have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the latest relevant Acts, Regulations, By-Laws, Standards, Codes of Practices, good engineering practices in Malaysia. ?There will be questions set on the application of engineering judgement and solving engineering issues in the local practice.Proficiency and good working knowledge and experience of Civil engineering practice in Malaysia covering general matter, geotechnical works, structural works and civil works as follows:(A) GENERAL MATTER (A1) Procurement & Contract (Pre and Post) administration(A2) Regulatory practice and submission procedure for civil engineers??? ??? ?(a) "Street, Drainage & Building Act" and the Uniform Building By Law Malaysia (UBBL) where it pertains to the civil engineer as:?? ??? ??? ?(i) submitting ...
    Posted Jan 13, 2018, 9:45 AM by jeffery jim
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PE Interview Guide

  • Professional Engineer - What to capture in your log book By now, if you are a Graduate Engineer; you have a log book with you which you need to fill. Many young greenhorns asked me what to jolt inside this log book. A log book is merely a diary which you need to show to your mentor or sponsor what you have learned for each month. It is an essential 'diary' which tracks and records your finding(s) at work.The main thing you need to capture in a log book are special events which somehow increased your understanding of engineering and construction work, anything that shows some progress in your learning curve. Moreover, you need to capture lesson learned or diagnosis-prognosis or postmortem. That is the key to ...
    Posted Aug 15, 2019, 5:45 PM by jeffery jim
  • Career path meets professional engineer accreditation There are several career routes available for those who are interested to be a professional engineer in Malaysia. Many fresh graduates are in cross-road when it comes to career path, especially those who are in civil engineering. Before you greenhorns go out and seek for a job, it is best to consider the experiences you could amass in the next three (3) years.?The minimum requirement in order to be qualified as a PEI candidate, one have to fulfill twelve (12) months of site supervision and another twelve (12) months in design office. The current Form IEM/PI allows candidate to spread their experience in man-month basis in Section 12 which is divided into 5 groups; D1 to ...
    Posted Jun 23, 2018, 7:31 AM by jeffery jim
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Undergraduate Career and Employment Guide

  • Structural Integrity & Investigation Many engineers asked me what is the hardest discipline in civil and structural engineering. The answer is quite easy, everything is very hard to masters within the period of 5 years. But if you insist on a single answer, it would be structural integrity and investigation which is required for professional diagnosis and prognosis of a degraded or dilapidated structure.This particular discipline is the mother of all disciplines in civil and?structural engineering. It involves relevant interpretations in material science, construction method, and others which answer evidences retrieved and tell-tale signs. Further to that it involves all sort of perspectives during planning, execution, testing and reporting. There is no definite answer but it involves learned estimation in order ...
    Posted Jul 20, 2019, 7:43 AM by jeffery jim
  • Fresh Graduate's Resume I hope this article benefits students, diploma or degree or even master’s degree graduates especially in engineering course or program. It is definitely absurd to write proper curricular vitae (CV) or worst, a resume when you are a fresh graduate. Forget about tailoring words and phrases which hot-sell yourself like some in LinkedIn; you don’t even have anything to offer except for your result in an academic transcript.I saw a lot of online resume templates after all these years as I give career talks around, from the old school dot-your-‘I’s-and-cross-your-‘t’s to modern minimalist infographic styled. None of these formats is wrong and none of these formats is a ...
    Posted Jul 20, 2019, 7:40 AM by jeffery jim
  • Geotechnic Engineering - Use your imagination Many geotechnical engineers are well verse with all sort of calculations but there is one thing lacking; imagination.The biggest problem in geotechnical engineering is the operator or the designer who often use their right brain in computing a result. Traditionally, geotechnical is not that empirical when it comes to result. It is based on the closest or proximate situation when making presumption.Similar to its close cousin, geology; no one can exactly predict the exact behavior of soil especially in chaotic geological condition. Unless we are talking about monolithic engineering fill, geotechnic requires raw information to be interpreted into a shrewd manner when executing analyses.For example, when designing for slope stability.Most of the time engineer will just ...
    Posted Jun 10, 2019, 7:57 AM by jeffery jim
  • Resolution Writing a new year resolution is something a 4-years old can do; what Santa often get and elves have to work on by October. To peruse through it all year long, that will take a man with guts, bloods and tears.1. You often get advice to write down challenging or pragmatic goals. Is there something wrong to this advice? It depends on the magnitude and the path you take. Most of the time, it will be something challenging or at times, fucking unrealistic. Should you halt your dream or continue to pursue it regardless of hindrances?2. The key in achieving your goals is trying not to achieve your goals. What you did for your new year resolution ...
    Posted Jun 10, 2019, 7:56 AM by jeffery jim
  • Being a Resident Engineer For those who are in construction industry, the Resident Engineer (RE) is known as the most hated person in the site. He is the person who changed designs and making important calls when it comes to contractual or technical know-how. Sounded like an individual who deserves a lot of credit but in many case they are not. Why?Usually REs are known as con-setan (contractor's devil) who makes life difficult, especially for Chinamen or even incompetent Bumiputra contractor. The problem with REs and Clerks-of-Work (COWs) or Inspectors (IOWs) is nothing more than the lack of humane and leadership skills.Knowing contractors who are majority basketcases when it comes to quality, REs try to use ...
    Posted Jun 10, 2019, 7:48 AM by jeffery jim
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