FM Paths of Malaysia to Achieve Energy Sustainability

Vol.1, No.2 – November 2010

Facilities Management: Paths of Malaysia to Achieve Energy Sustainability

Sheau Ting Low, Abdul Hakim Mohammed, Weng Wai Choong, Buang Alias

ABSTRACT

The world is haunted by sky high energy price and uncertain energy supply. With the ever increasing domestic energy demand but limited reserves, Malaysia that has long claim herself as a petroleum producer would become a net importer in less than 20 years. As buildings are among the major contributors to nation’s total energy usage, the professional of facilities management should take proactive role to manage building’s energy usage effectively and efficiently. The discussion in this paper focuses on four new dimensions of facilities management in managing energy: exploring alternative energy resources, embracing energy policies, implementing energy management and improving energy awareness and energy-use behavior. This paper endeavors to be a catalyst to alert the nation as well as the world on how the professional of facilities management can contribute a sustainable energy future.

Key words: Energy Sustainability, Energy Management, Facilities Management

1.0 Introduction

Energy problems has long became global concerns, nowadays, the world is racing to find energy solution as worry about energy shortage, sky high energy price, unsecure of energy supply, un-eco friendly use of energy and the issue of enormous wastage. To solve such energy issues, residents of the earth should think global and act local, or at least, act according to their expertise. Following discussion examines the current energy issues globally and locally.

1.1 Sky High Energy Price

The prices of oil and natural gas have gone through the roof and are expected to stay there. “Campbell and Laherrère (1998), once estimate that oil decline will begin before 2010.” However, in July 2008, international oil price already reaches new historic peak US$147.29 (RM470.87) a barrel level. The main cause of such increases was the existence of a tight market due to the small margin between production (83.0 million barrels per day (bpd)) and demand (82.5 million bpd), high demand for oil by China, India and the United States, uncertainly of supply in some OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries, adverse weather condition such as Hurricane Emily in Mexico which affecting oil production and speculation on oil prices (Economic Planning Unit Prime Minister’s Department, 2005). In late 2008 and early 2009, the oil price has responded strongly perceptions that the worst of the global recession is over with after reaching a low of USD$36 a barrel on 27th February 2009.

However, the oil prices started to rebound in March and climbed to USD$70 a barrel by mid of 2009 (IMF, 2009)

A continuous trend of high and unstable energy price have significant negative effects on global and local economy and society, this include recession, inflation and higher unemployment rate. Malaysian also being affected as the price of petrol and diesel sought a new hike in year 2008. The decision to increase the price of fuel was to overcome the impact of rising international crude oil prices and to curb the increase in subsidies paid by the government. In year 2009, the total amount of subsidies provided by government is RM3.4 billion for petrol and RM1.9 billion for diesel. In response to the hike of energy price in international level, Malaysia has reviewed and increased energy price in recent years. In year 2010, the price of petrol is RM1.80 for RON95 and RM2.05 for RON97. The price of diesel is RM1.70 per litre and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cost RM1.75 per kilo.

For June 1, 2006, the electricity tariff in the peninsula was rise by an average of 12% for the cost of generating electricity has increases tremendously. Recently, the government alarmed all Malaysian to be prepared for the raising in the electricity tariff again in 2010. Malaysian, already grappling with the impact of fuel prices increase is need to bear with higher electricity rates.

1.2 Unsecure Energy Supply

Continuous available of energy supply still remain as a big doubt for the world, as well as Malaysia. Energy demand is expected to rise worldwide with growth in developing nations hitting 90 percent. The rise of China and India boost up the energy demand where most of supply will come from outside its own borders. This poses a real and growing threat to the world’s energy future. Sustainable supplement of energy in the coming future remain as a great challenges.

Malaysia is still heavy dependence on oil as the primary energy supply. 50% of the total energy supply in Malaysia is from oil while the other sources of energy supply are still too little. Although Malaysia is well blessed with oil and gas deposits, there is a possibility that Malaysia could quickly become a net importer of oil. With heavy industrialisation programme, Malaysia is relying on the use of its energy resources. Malaysia therefore gives high priority in ensuring the security and sustainability of energy supply (Norhayati Kamaruddin and Yuzlina Mohd. Yusop, 2000). With current production at 650,000 barrels per day, Malaysia is expected to become a net importer of oil if we still do not conserve (Roy, 2001). In the past, Malaysia was over dependent on oil almost 80% was used in power generation. Presently around 60% of power generation is fuelled by natural gas. Soon or sooner, our country has to deal with oil shortage problems.

1.3 Environment Degradation and Disturbance

Environmental degradation - improper and unfriendly use or harvest energy bring disturbance to the environment, one of the critical issues is green house effect or better known as global warming. Presently, the amount of green house gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing fast and most of it comes from burning fuels for energy supply. These have significantly affect ecology, ecosystems and public health associated with global climate change.

Undoubtedly, the heat is continuous to rise. Human activities have overloading the atmosphere with carbon dioxide (CO2) and this result as significant climatic consequences. International Energy Agency (2008) projected that the current energy-related emissions trend will pushing up average global temperature by 6°C in long run. The Outlook also forecast the global energy related CO² emissions will peak in 2025. Several studies carried out revealed that fossil energy combustion and production is the

largest, single and main contributor to the greenhouse gases emissions and higher global temperature which negatively damage the vital ecosystem (WEO, 2007; Malla, 2009; Yang, 2009; Moriarty and D. Honnery, 2009 and Halicioglu, 2000). Although global warming is now a reality and most discussed by the public, anyway, the public is still not aware about how their daily activities could affect the climate changes.

Another energy-environmental issue is the pollution resulted from improper use of energy harvesting technology. In some cases, technology itself that used to harvest energy resources can generate environmental disturbance and social repercussion. For example, construction of mega hydroelectric projects such as Bakun Dam in the eastern Malaysian State of Sarawak has brings environmental and social impact. The Bakun dam requires the relocation of indigenous people. Also, a total of ecological destruction on 69,640 hectares of forest ecosystem and unique geographical feature has been reported (Keong, 2005).

2. Energy Sustainability

The word ‘sustainability’ embraces the meaning of to keep in existence and maintain. The classic definition of sustainability is given by the World Commission on Environment and Development in their report, Our Common Future, that sustainable development is development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (WCED, 1987)” Basically, sustainability can be understood as the continuously available, present and the future.

‘Energy Sustainability’ refers to the continuous availability of energy, in sufficient quantities, and at reasonable prices. Most of the time, energy sustainability also refer to energy security, which has many aspects. These two terms has been used interchangeably. It means limited vulnerability to transient or longer disruptions of imported supplies. It also means the availability of local and imported resources to meet, over time and at reasonable prices, the growing demand for energy (Khatib et al., 2001).

No doubt that our world has achieved a great success in making our life easier and comfortable, from the aspect of technology, transportation, communication and entertainment. However, behind this fantasy is inefficiency and wastage of energy that has brings disturbance to the environment, economy and social. The choice of what our society make today will affect the future of tomorrow’s generation, the issues of energy sustainability must be seriously considered before it is too late.

Critical energy issues: sky high energy price, unsecure energy supply and the environmental degradation indicates that the world energy sustainability has been threatened. Energy is the principle of sustainability as it is the main contributor and driver to achieve total sustainability. The various energy issues arise provided considerable evidences that human are on an unsustainable path. Malaysia, as a developing country is not been excluded from the wave of energy sustainability challenges. Hence, to achieve sustainability, Malaysia must ensure the sustainability of energy in terms of its supply, availability and usage pattern. For that reason, it is important to identify the various paths towards energy sustainability and appropriate efforts must be actively placed. Only then, we are able to sustain energy future.

As a professional from the discipline of facilities management, facilities manager should take proactive role to help nation to achieve energy sustainability rather than passively manage the building. It is important that the facilities manager act and serve as the role model to other professional. Moreover, contribute to this field brings a lot of advantage to facilities professional, especially in monetary saving and cost cutting. The following discussion listed and discussed various paths to achieve energy

sustainability. Contemporaneously, the role of the professional of facilities management in each of strategy will be stressed.

3. Role of Facilities Management

Refers to the definition of facilities management given by International Facility Management Association (IFMA), facilities management is “a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology.” It is a key function in managing the working environment, facilities resources and support services to support the core business in long run (Sarich Chotipanich, 2004). The core business means the central or main activities of an organization while the support services are those services which must be in place to support the functionality of the core business. For instance, core business of a university is education and its support services include accommodation, property maintenance, energy management, etc.

The facilities management professionals play a vital role in providing quality and high performance facilities (Zuriati Ashaari, 2005). Facilities manager is responsible to ensure all the facilities are performing effectively and efficiently. The major challenges for facilities management professional are to maximize the utilization and production of the organization’s facilities at the minimal cost. Among the critical area that needs to be managed is energy usage in the organization.

To achieve overall energy efficiency, facilities manager professionals must poses good knowledge and skills in the management of energy as well as to find alternatives or paths to achieve energy efficiency. For instance, a facilities manager may propose to install solar photovoltaic if the building is located at strategic location which expose to high radiant energy from the sun. The installation not only brings monetary payback through increase of overall efficiency but also in non monetary benefits through the increase of corporate image.

4. Paths towards Energy Sustainability

Energy sustainability can be ensured and enhance through various methods. Anyhow, approaches to ensuring energy sustainability in the 21st century should be differing from the past that concentrated on supply side solution. Following discussion proposes and justify four major ways in achieving energy sustainability from the perspective of a facilities manager.

4.1 Exploring Alternative Energy Resources

Energy is the key component of the Malaysian economy as the development of the energy resources contributes greatly towards the industrialization of the nation economy and the socio-economic improvement of the people, as well as the country’s exports earnings. Malaysia is well endowed with an abundance of conventional fossil energy resources, especially oil and gas, as well as renewable energy resources such as hydro, biomass and solar.

Among many types of energy, electricity, the most useful end product requested by the users so far is at the top of the energy ladder. It is the key for a satisfactory of life, which being used to power

cooking, lighting, transportation, communication, refrigeration and motor appliances. It is the basic requirement for a modern building. However, since it is secondary types of energy transformed from the primary energy resources such as natural gas. Therefore, wastage happens along the transformation and distribution process.

Presently, Malaysia is over dependence on the natural gas and oil as the main resources, whereas other energy resources are not given appropriate attention. As reported in the National Energy Balance 2007, the main energy input in power stations is natural gas which constitute of 57%. In order to achieve energy sustainability, allowing more flexible fuel choices is a must. Besides natural gas and petroleum, Malaysia should develop other renewable energy resources. As a country locates at the equator zone, there are abundant of sunlight that we can utilized to generate electricity. Malaysian should enjoy relatively high solar radiation intensities.

By using photovoltaic, it can replace some of the building materials such as roof or wall while generate electricity. A good facilities manager should be well alert about the existing alternative energy supply and adapt it the best possible into the existing plant. For example, the SURIA 1000 program launched by Malaysian government to encourage public to install photovoltaic panel has provide incentives for building users to install solar energy. Facilities manager should equipped with good energy knowledge and skills and well aware about up to date government policies on green technology. Also, they should well analyze the available alternatives and implement the best fit to achieve sustainability.

4.2 Embarking on Energy Policies

Having realized that energy plays an important role for sustainable development, Malaysia’s government has proposed and applied several energy policies which intend to extend the life span of nonrenewable energy resources such as natural gas and crude oil, reduce the dependence on non-renewable energy resources and to assure sustainable energy supply in the future.

In the 1970s, most of the solution taken by the government is concentrated on supply sides concern. These include National Petroleum Policy (1975), National Energy Policy Objectives (1979), National Depletion Policy (1980) and Four-Fuel Strategy (1981). The primary focus of energy planning in the country under the National Energy Policy (NEP) is to fulfil the policy’s supply objective, aimed at ensuring adequate, cheap and secure supply energy based on the development of indigenous energy resources (Roy, 2001). In fact, Malaysia is emulating those of the resources-scarce economies such as Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

The supply based policy only act as short term solution as the public not appreciate the continuous supplement and subsidies, to make the matter worst, they develop negative habits on wasting energy. The continued emphasis on supply-based energy development trend poses several challenges, which Malaysia will have to deal with in the medium to long term (Roy, 2001). The best way to meet the rising demand for energy is not to supply more, but is to save, monitor the use of energy and achieve energy efficiency.

Having such awareness, government introduce the Fifth-Fuel Strategy (1999). Besides the four fuels: oil, gas, coal and hydropower, the fifth fuel which is the renewable energy was added in June 1999. The purpose of introducing fifth fuel energy are to secure long term energy supply, address the environment concerns by reducing the emission of green house gases and acts as a pollution control. There are other regulation that has been carried out by the government to protect energy resources and promote energy saving, including Petroleum Development Act (1974), Electricity Supply Act (1990),

Electricity Supply Successor Company Act (1990), Gas Supply Act (1993) and Energy Commission Act (2001).

The latest energy related efforts carried out by government was the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The Plan states that more focus should be given to energy efficiency initiatives in industrial and commercial sectors which include label of effectiveness of electrical appliances, encourage using of high efficiency motors and establishment of efficient electrical energy management regulation.

No doubt a clear and written policy is important to gear towards a sustainable energy future. However, whether the organization is thoroughly implements and put the written policy into action remains as a challenge. The distinction between action and policies is not trivial (Gordon, 2007). The facilities manager has to take the lead to support those policies by actions and creatively adapt the ideas of the proposed policies in their daily task. For examples, encourages the industrial to use high efficiency motors, install solar heater and use eco-friendly equipments. By speaking out efficiently, facilities manager can share with their clients about government’s fiscal incentives to achieve energy efficient efficiency, among offered incentives include pioneer status, investment tax allowance, initially accelerated capital allowances, import duty and sales taxes exemption.

Besides ensuring the written policy is well implemented, the professional of facilities manager should reflect their opinions to improve existing energy policies either in national or international level. It is encourages that facilities manager to register and involve in various professional body, for example: Malaysian Association of Facilities Managers, International Facility Management Association (IFMA), British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), etc. By gathering their professionalism, it is possible to bring facilities managers’ suggestion to the government through proposal, forum or national conference such as National Asset & Facility Management (NAFAM) Convention. In previous case, Malaysia Government Asset Management Policy was formulated results from the first convention of NAFAM which was held in August 2007. The policy serves as a guideline in managing and maintains government-owned facilities.

4.3 Embracing Energy Management

Energy management can stand alone or treated as the sub function of facilities management which can be categorized as maintenance and operations. It is a technical and management function the remit of which is to monitor, record, analyse, critically examine, alter and control energy flows through system so that energy is utilized with maximum efficiency. It embraces the disciplines of engineering, science, mathematics, economics, accountancy design and operational research, computation and information technology (O’Callaghan, 1993). It is the judicious and effective use of energy to maximize profits (minimize cost) and to enhance competitive positions (Thuman and Mehta, 1997).

Energy manager is the professional who practice the energy management, according to Murphy and Mckay (1982), the energy manager is, the first and foremost, a manager and as such he must control his area of responsibility efficiently.” He must be capable of directing all personnel involved in consuming the supply of energy for which he is responsible for.

The energy management play an important role in organization since the energy consumption is one of the major expenditure. “Katipamula at el (1999) once states that energy accounts for a significant portion of the operating cost in many facilities.” Successful energy management will assure energy effectiveness in the organization and avoid unnecessary energy cost. The duties of energy manager are diverse, including energy conservation, energy consumption monitoring, motivation and training, energy information system establishment, energy efficiency assured, energy budget tracking, faults identifying,

cost saving opportunities identifying and more. In practical, energy management can be either in or out sourcing which depends on the needs and policy of the organization.

“The two most significant benefits are to improve company performance and environment qualities (Energy Efficiency Office, 1993).” Seeing that industry, commerce and public sector spend over £13 billion each year on energy. “This could be reduced by a fifth through improved energy efficiency (Energy Efficiency Office, 1993).” Besides saving money, better energy efficiency can reduce the CO2 emission and extend the life span of non renewable energy resources such as petroleum and coal. “Carlyle Consulting Group (2004) once asserts that energy conserving is one of the top ten ways to reduce the facilities budget without sacrificing quality.”

As energy price have increased in Malaysia, commitment to energy efficiency is to reap a big reward. Modern facilities manager must enhance their energy management knowledge and skills and cooperate with the top committees and other professional in practicing energy management. Two methods in conserving energy should be given attention, namely technical approach and behavioural approach. The technological approach refers to the application of technology instruments which normally involve large or small scale investment. On the other hand, the behavioural approach requires the improvement of awareness and energy-use behaviour.

In many times, simple or non-cost energy management can be achieve through switch off unnecessary lighting when leaving the room, shut down computer when not in use or put the computer into sleep mode when leaving it for temporary, using an energy efficiency light bulbs such as compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) and even set the cooling thermostat according to the comfortable level. All of these can reduce energy usage and cut carbon emission.

4.4 Raising Energy Awareness and Improving Energy-use Behaviour

People behaviour is significant to be taken consideration in realizing energy sustainability. Through improving energy awareness and behaviour, there is a great opportunity to improve energy efficiency. As mentioned by Hansen (2002) that people is the main factors in achieving energy efficiency, that 80 percent of the savings in an effective energy management program could be attributed to the energy efficient practices of the operations and maintenance (O&M) staff. Survey of the successful school energy-conservation programs in Tuscon as carried out by Gaballa (1996) also revealed that one of the successful criteria to generate saving is to focus primarily on behavioural changes.

In this regard, there is a need to improve energy-use behaviour. This is very relevant to facilities professionals as the management on energy and people should be part of facilities manager’s duties (Author, 2006). The major challenge is that techniques that can be utilized to develop energy awareness and change people behaviour to conserve energy are still a doubt. In overview, there are tremendous opportunities to save energy by engaging with issues such as attitudes, knowledge, awareness and skills (Vesma, 2002). However, the initial steps for behavioural changes are awareness. Awareness is the seed for tomorrow changes (Wong. 1997). This suggests that there will be no further action to conserve energy if awareness is not exits. Users will not take any steps to conserve energy if they do not aware the importance of energy saving. As mentioned by Dahle and Neumayer (2001), behavioural change cannot be expected to take place unless people aware to do so. In this case, top management would not support any energy conservation programme because they did not realize enormous use of energy is a waste. Also, the staff would not carry out any energy conservation efforts because they did not take it as a responsibility.

In this regard, facilities manager should realize that building user’s awareness and behavioural is the critical factors in realizing energy sustainability. More attentions should be given in this area instead of installing expensive energy saving appliances. In fact, advancement in technology is not the only solution for energy sustainability issue. This was agreed by Kempton and Schipper (1994) that as we develop physical technologies to improve energy efficiencies, we only migrates the effects of energy use by human, not curing the energy problem we are experiencing. The proper process to raise energy awareness and improve people energy conservation behaviour needed to be clearly understood by the facilities manager. To doing so, facilities managers may refer to the awareness and behavioural model such as the Theory of Reasoned Action, Stages of Changes, Theory of Planned Behaviour and Conceptual Model of Energy Awareness Development Process. All of these explain and indicates a proper process to improve energy-use behaviour.

5. Conclusion

Nowadays, the sky high oil price, unsecure energy supply and environment degradation has risen as a global concern. Energy sustainability is still remaining as a great challenge to Malaysia and the world. Undoubtedly, such issues will continue to become the barrier to prevent Malaysia towards energy sustainability. Facilities manager who responsible for manage energy usage in a building must act accordingly to the nation’s ambition. Facilities managers should aware that their roles are not limited in managing building, they need to play active roles in helping our nation in achieving energy sustainability. Among many methods has been suggested in this paper to achieve energy sustainability, such as diversify energy resources, propose good energy policy, practice energy management and raise energy awareness and improve energy-use behaviour. Facilities manager may select method that suits their organization strength the most and plan the right path to achieve sustainability. In fact, it is the business and social responsibility for the professional of facilities management to facilitate the nation in achieving energy sustainability.

References

Campbell, C. J. and Laherrère, J. H. (1998).The End of Cheap Oil. Scientific American.

Carlye Consulting Group (2004). The Top 10 Ways to Reduce the Facility Budget (Without Sacrificing Quality). Carlye Consulting Group. unpublished.

Dahle, M. and Neumayer, E (2001). Overcoming barriers to campus greening: A survey among higher educational institutions in London, UK. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2(2): 139-160.

Economic Planning Unit Prime Minister’s Department (2005). Oil Price and Subsidies: An Explanation. Kuala Lumpur.

Energy Efficiency Office (1993). General Information Report (Energy Management Guide). Garston: BRECSU.

Gaballa, M. S. (1996). Public Education Programs: A Study of Energy Conservation in Tuscon, Arizona. University of Arezona: Master Degree Project.

Gordon, R. L. (2007). Sustainable Fossil Fuel: The Unusual Suspects in the Quest for Clean and Enduring Energy, by Mark Jaccard. ENERGY JOURNAL -CAMBRIDGE MA THEN CLEVELAND OH-. 28, 189-192.

Hallicioglu, F. (2009) An econometric study of CO2 emissions, energy consumption, income and foreign trade in Turkey. Energy Policy, 37, 1156-1164.

Hansen, S. J. (2002). Manual for Intelligent Energy Services. Lilburn, Ga.: Fairmont Press.

International Facility Management Association. Facility Management Definitions. , Retrieved 23 March 2010.

International Monetary Fund. (2009) World Economic Outlook. Washington, D.C.: International Monetary Fund.

International Energy Agency (2008). World Energy Outlook. Paris: OECD/IEA.

Katipamula, S., Brambley, M. R., Pratt, R. G. and Chassin, D. P. (1999). Facilities management in the 21st century. Heating, Piping, Air Conditioning. 71(7):51-57.

Kempton, W. and Schipper, L. (1994). Expanding the Human Dimensions Research Agenda. Proceedings of the ACEE 1944 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. American Concil for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Keong, C. Y. (2005). Dam-Induced Development and Environmental and Social Sustainability: The Bakun Industrialization Strategy Revisited. Journal of Economic Issues. 39 (1), 123.

Khatib, H., Barnes, A., Chalabi, I., Steeg, H. and Yokobor, K. (2001). Energy Security. In: Goldemberg (Ed.). J. World Energy Assessment, Energy and the Challenge of Sustainability Overview. (pp112-131). New York, N.Y.: UNDP.

Malla, S. (2009) CO2 emissions from electricity generation in seven Asia-Pacific and North American countries: A decomposition analysis. Energy Policy, 37, 1-9.

Moriarty, P. and D. Honnery (2009). "What energy levels can the Earth sustain." Energy Policy 37: 2469-2474.

Murphy, W.R. and Mckay, G. (1982). Energy Management. London: Butterworths.

Norhayati Kamaruddin and Yuzlina Mohd.Yusop (2000). Long Term Energy Strategy for the Malaysia Energy Sector Study. In: Kamaruzzaman Sopian and Mohd Yusof Hj Othman. Advances in Malaysia Energy Research 1999. Kuala Lumpur: Institut Tenaga Malaysia. 107-115.

O’Callaghan, P.W. (1993). Energy Management. New York : McGraw-Hill.

Roy, A. K. (2001). Public Sector Energy Management – A Strategy for Catalyzing Energy Efficiency in Malaysia. University of Delaware: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Energy Policy.

Sarich Chotipanich. (2004). Positioning facility management. Facilities. 22(13/14): 364-372

Thumann, A. and Mehta, D. P. (1997). Handbook of Energy Engineering (Fourth Edition). Liburn: The Fairmont Press, Inc. page 377

Vesma, V. (2002). Power to the People Facilities Management. Facilities Management. 9(5):26

WCED (World Commission on Environment and Development). 1987. Our Common Future. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wong, S.S.M. (1997). Energy Conservation and Human Behaviors: The Professional Faculties Building in the University of Calgary. University of Calgary: Master Degree Project.

World Energy Outlook 2007. International Energy Agency.

Yang, M. (2009). "Climate change and energy policies, coal and coalmine methane in China." Energy Policy 37: 2858-2869.

Zuriati Ashaari. (2005). Current Practice of Post Occupancy Evaluation in Facility Management Organization of Malaysia. University Technology Malaysia: Master of Science in Facility Management

About the Authors

Low Sheau Ting is the Ph.D students in the Centre for Real Estate Studies, Faculty of Geoinformation Science and Engineering. She is actively involving in energy and facilities research, also the professional member of Malaysian Energy Professionals Association (MEPA).

Prof. Dr. Abdul Hakim Mohammed is the Director of Centre for Real Estate Studies (CRES) in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He is the Vice President of Malaysian Association of Facilities Managers and the key note speaker for NAFAM conference (National Asset and Facility Management) in Malaysia. His professional covers facilities management and project management.

Dr. Choong Weng Wai is well-known as a professional facilities management in Malaysia. Choong received his PhD in Facilities Management from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. His professional expertise covers facilities management, energy management and environmental studies. He is the professional member of Environmental Management and Research Association of Malaysia (ENSEARCH) and Malaysian Energy Professionals Association (MEPA).

Assoc. Prof. Dr Buang is heading the Department of Property Management from 1st January till 31st December 2007 for three terms. Currently, he is the acting director in the Bureau of Innovation and Consultancy of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. His professional expertise covers real estate taxation, recreational land management and facilities management.

Knowledge Library

Want even more Content?

Since you’re already a user, you know that IFMA’s Knowledge Library offers all FM content in one place. But did you also know that by signing up via email to become a registered user, you can unlock even more resources?

Signing up via email for registered access within the Knowledge Library brings more content and functionality to your fingertips. Expect to grow your facility management knowledge, career and network faster than ever before.