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Malaysia is among the highest consumers in term of consumption and intensity of energy per capita in Asia. Malaysia’s final energy consumption had increased from 13 million toe in 1990 to about 41 million toe in 2010, reflecting an annual average growth rate of 6%. Despites aggressive energy efficiency drives implemented for last 20 years, Malaysia has not shown any improvement in term of energy consumption and conservation. The Lower than anticipated results under previous energy efficiency initiatives had forced The Malaysian government to launch National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for 10 year implementation period of 2016-2025 (NEEAP) after taking into account the socio-culture, policy, financial, and administration barriers. The objective of this paper is to review Malaysian experience in their energy efficiency initiatives in comparison with other leading nations. Study reveals that overlapping and interchangeable terms for energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy approaches under NEEAP causes confusion during implementation and monitoring which raise the need for reinterpretation of the programme initiatives. The barriers are not only isolated for Malaysian context but also common problems experienced by other countries. This offer opportunities for leapfrogging and knowledge sharing for improving any possible measures under three major initiatives for equipment, industrial and building programmes as outlined under the NEEAP. Some suggestions are made in this paper as measures to improve the delivery mechanism.

The purpose of this study is to develop the Implementation Framework of Green Building for Government Project. Implementation of Green Building Design is very important in Malaysia to conduct and execute green government project. The research intended to answer the questions about the factors involve in the development of the framework, what is the significant relationships exists between the factors involve in the Implementation Framework and whether there is significant relationship exists between the factors in implementation framework. A total 30 respondent selected between multilevel of project team KKR2 including engineers, assistants engineers, technical assistant, stake holders, contractors and consultants. In conclusion the study answered pertaining questions regarding the factors involve in development of Implementation Framework of Green Building through quantitative research and hypothesis testing.

In the IBS building maintenance, the conventional methods to the project delivery and its failure to form effective communication channel between complementary knowledge on IBS construction and related members that is conducted in the sequential manner has resulted in ineffectiveness for managing building maintenance, where a paradigm shift within the IBS traditional approach is necessary. The research results described are concerned with i) an integrated system to record, diagnose and analyse information for IBS building maintenance to detect patent or latent defect, select an effective repair method, provide appropriate planning decision and reduce risks of defect throughout the building lifetime. ii) building a decision making support in diagnosis in IBS building maintenance based on robust data collection about concrete defects and causes including in the selection of a durable replacement design and material or the proper rehabilitation method. The system development was based on analysis of number of interviews and case studies conducted with professional engineers working in IBS building maintenance departments. The paper concludes that implementing a CMMS Expert using BIM can help improve the performance of IBS building design, construction and maintenance operations.

Facilities Management (FM) in the industry of environment involves numerous expertise, especially from the management side. Other than that, technology and finance are the other factors involved as well. One essential aspect of FM, other than the emphasis on technical operation, is its performance. In parallel, the performance does impact occupant behaviour and, at the same time, this performance does affect the environment. In short, this indicates that FM is in a key position to participate in delivering a sustainable environment for the industry of built environment. Sustainable facilities Management (SFM) is crucial because buildings consume more resources which will, in consequence, negatively impact the environment and generate large amounts of waste. This justifies the importance of sustainability under the umbrella of facilities management. However, FM is quite new in Malaysia’s environment. Government agencies, such as JKR, have adopted and are practicing FM at the moment. Fortunately, there has been an increasing trend and awareness of SFM adoption. Therefore, this paper aims to understand and identify the contribution and practices of Sustainable Facilities Management (SFM) in Malaysia; focusing on the development taken in regards to SFM.

This study explores the relationship between the perceived performance of specific IEQ factors and occupants’ overall satisfaction with their workspace. The Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in buildings is one of the most important factors affecting the physical development of children. The early education is compulsory and escalated numbers of 4-6 years children has boosted the numbers of private preschool. Frequently its operate in premises that have been fully refurbished, either in housing schemes, commercial buildings or institutional buildings. This has invited the questions on the building capability to provide a good environment to the children during the learning activities. Malaysia still lacks studies on the modification of the quality of the internal environment for private kindergartens. Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is one method that has been used satisfactorily in the study and effect of IEQ in kindergartens. This research focuses on identifying occupant satisfaction towards IEQ in selected refurbished pre-school or kindergarten buildings. The objectives of the study are to iden-tify and determine the IEQ through feedback from building users. The study collected data on overall satisfaction and overall design importance through building inspection and questionnaires, the data obtained was analyzed to become a benchmark for the studies. 240 kindergartens in the whole country were selected for the study of IEQ.

Working or studying in a comfortable environment enhances not only well-being, but also satisfaction and therefore increase the productivity and learning. The numbers of private preschool in Malaysia boost every year. Frequently they operate in premises that have been fully refurbished. This has invited the questions on the building capability and space condition to provide a good environment to the children during the learning activities. Most of the building was refurbished to enhance it applicability as a school. Yet, these adaptive-reused buildings are doubtful. This research focused to identify the characteristics of the buildings’ physical and condition as well as the scenario of refurbished private preschool in accordance with the standard. Observation particularly on space and pupils density either it is reckoning with the authorities’ requirements. Most of the building was refurbished to enhance it applicability as a school. The data obtained from the observation and staff’s interview to 237 preschool (771 classrooms). The data revealed in most of preschools, the occupants in the classrooms were over the limit regulating by the authority. The data obtained was analyzed to become a reference and benchmark to the authorities to prepare the private preschool’s applications.

Facilities management in Malaysia has been practiced for decades. The development of its formal practice parallels the improvement of the built environment in the nation. Involvement of the public and private sectors teaming up in arranging the National Asset and Facilities Management (NAFAM) in demonstrates the vital collaboration in the facilities management area in Malaysia. Facilities management is seen distinctively as indicated by diverse geographical locations, interests and schools of thought. Facilities management is delegated a service-based industry which gives proficient counsel and administration of clients’ building facilities including residential, commercial, industrial, airports terminals and offices. The aim of this paper is to review the gaps that exist, especially on how FM is being practice in comparison with the published FM body of knowledge. Very relying upon literature, this paper discovered a gap that is an unclear description of current FM applications. This research aims to give new bits of knowledge to upgrade comprehension of FM execution in Malaysia.

There is increasing demand on sustainability-led design to reduce negative impacts brought by construction development. The capability of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to achieve sustainability is widely acknowledged. Various sustainability analysis and calculation can be performed at early stages to help the designers in decision making. However, the level of implementation is still not popular in the construction industry. Many of the industry players are still rely on traditional 2D method for designing and analysis. Hence, this study aims to demonstrate a proof concept of using BIM for sustainability design. The first phase of this study conducted a critical review of existing assessment schemes: BREEAM, LEED, SBTool, CASBEE, BEAM Plus, Green Star, Green Mark and GBI, to develop a set of main criteria to be considered for sustainability design. The findings revealed that fourteen criteria are considered, which are management, sustainable site, transport, indoor environmental quality, energy, waste, water, material, pollution, innovation, economics, social, culture and quality of services. It was found that most of the existing schemes emphasized on environmental aspect as compared to economics, social and culture except SBTool. The next phase of this study will conduct a case study to demonstrate sustainability design through BIM by using the criteria developed from the first phase.

The preschool education is compulsory to children in Malaysia. This regulation has encouraged more premises to be refurbished as a pre-school building. This paper examines the pupils’ absenteeism and the prevalence of Sick Building Symptoms (SBS) initiated in congested private preschool with different ventilation strategies. The study analysed data from the attendance record of 10 classrooms and the questionnaire surveys administered to 151 parents about their children health symptoms once they were leaving the schools building. Questions on SBS used 5-point likert scale with symptoms concern on nose, eye, head, throat, skin, breath and tiredness. The descriptive and chi-square test applied to obtain the association of SBS and ventilation strategies in the classrooms. With quantitative and qualitative explanation, the unhealthy environment in refurbished pre-schools explained. Running nose, coughing and sore throat frequently reported in air-conditioning (AC) classrooms. The higher absent rate found in AC classrooms. These symptoms show there were weaknesses in ventilation performance and environment in the selected preschools. Further analyses on objective measurements in future research are strongly recommended.

Green highway initiative is the transportation corridors based on sustainable concept of roadway. It incorporates both transportation functionality and ecological requirements. Green highway also provides more sustainable construction technique that maximizes the lifespan of highway. Waste management is one of the sustainable criterias in the elements of green highway. Construction of highway consumes enormous amounts of waste in term of materials and energy. These wastes need to be reduce to sustain the environment. This paper aims to identify the types of waste produced from highway construction. Additionally, this study also determine the waste minimization strategy and waste management practiced.. This study main focus are construction and demolition waste only. The methodology process begin with data collection by using questionnaire survey. 22 concession companies listed under Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia acted as a respondent. The questionnaires were distributed to all technical department staffs. The data received was analyzed using IBM SPSS. The results shows the most production of waste is wood, soil, tree root and concrete. The least production of waste is metal. For waste minimization, the best waste minimization is reuse for all type of waste except for tree root and stump. Whereas, the best waste management is providing strategic plan. The least practice for waste management is recording the quantity of waste.

The need to optimize the performance of buildings has increased consequently due to the expansive supply of facilities in higher education building (HEB). Proper performance assessment as a proactive measure may help university building in achieving performance optimization. However, the current maintenance programs or performance evaluation in the HEB is a systemic and cyclic process where maintenance is considered as an operational issue and not as opposed to a strategic issue. Hence, this paper proposed a Building Performance Risk Rating Tool (BPRT) as an improved measure for building performance evaluation by addressing the users' risk in health and safety aspects. The BPRT is developed from the result of a rating index using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. 12 facilities management (FM) experts and practitioners were involved in the rating process. The subjective weightings are analysed using the AHP computer software, the Expert Choice 11. The establishment of the BPRT was introduced as an aid of improvement towards the current performance assessment of HEB by emerging the concept of building performance and risk into a numerical strategic approach

Generally, building is a structure that provides basic shelter for the humans to conduct general activities. In common prose, the purpose of buildings is to provide humans a comfortable working and living space and protected from the extremes of climate. However, a building usage is depends on the lifespan and the change of rate effected on their impact on efficiency of use. Hence, more attention needs to be emphasized on the performance of buildings as the changes are not static over time. This paper highlights the concept and requirements in evaluating building performance. Exploration on the concept of building performance is also addressed on the purposes of building performance and the link of performance towards the end-users and incorporating their feedback. It concludes that obtaining users’ feedback is vital in building performance and the requirements of assessment must outline the performance criteria and mandates in such building.

Purpose: Digital twin (DT) and building information modeling (BIM) are interconnected in some ways. However, there has been some misconception about how DT differs from BIM. As a result, industry professionals reject DT even in BIM-based construction projects due to reluctance to innovate. Furthermore, researchers have repeatedly developed tools and techniques with the same goals using DT and BIM to assist practitioners in construction projects. Therefore, this study aims to assist industry professionals and researchers in understanding the relationship between DT and BIM and synthesize existing works on DT and BIM. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review was conducted on published articles related to DT and BIM. A total record of 54 journal articles were identified and analyzed. Findings: The analysis of the selected journal articles revealed four types of relationships between DT and BIM: BIM is a subset of DT, DT is a subset of BIM, BIM is DT, and no relationship between BIM and DT. The existing research on DT and BIM in construction projects targets improvements in five areas: planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance, and decommissioning. In addition, several areas have emerged, such as developing geo-referencing approaches for infrastructure projects, applying the proposed methodology to other construction geometries and creating 3D visualization using color schemes. Originality/value: This study contributed to the existing body of knowledge by overviewing existing research related to DT and BIM in construction projects. Also, it reveals research gaps in the body of knowledge to point out directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a widely recognised software in Facilities Management (FM) that provides numerous advantages to facility managers by enhancing productivity at work. The objective of this research is to provide insight and assess the factors influencing the acceptance of CMMS among facility managers in Malaysia. As a result, an improved comprehension of CMMS technology acceptance can be formed, as well as a better understanding of other FM technology adoption. Multiple factors influence CMMS acceptance, and this study used a quantitative technique to verify the hypothesis, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in conjunction with a Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). In addition, 125 facility managers completed an online survey that was utilised to collect primary data. The quantitative and structural models were analysed using PLS-SEM. Based on the study's findings, perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) have a favourable impact on behavioural intention (BI), which influences actual usage (AU) of CMMS. The research aims to improve awareness of the degree of acceptance of CMMS among facility managers and to contribute to FM organisations' better understanding of future technology adoptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Facilities Management (FM) industry is seeing expansion and growth in Malaysia; nevertheless for the industry to elevate to a new level of success, it must overcome various technological barriers that have slowed its adoption of technology. The purpose of this research is to gain an understanding of the key technologies that the Malaysian market is prioritising and, consequently, to determine whether the industry is keeping pace with technological advancement. This study analysed the significance of ten (10) essential FM technologies and five (5) deployment FM areas with specific focus on real estate and commercial property sector in FM. The research employed purposive sampling to assemble an expert panel, and then used a questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale to conduct a Delphi study to evaluate the relative importance of each technology and implementation area. Each member of the expert panel was interviewed separately, and the survey was distributed to each of them. According to the findings, CMMS is identified as the technology with the most significant function as data and information management, and maintenance and operations management, whereas BAS is a significant technology for energy management. In conclusion, the research demonstrated that technology adoption in Malaysia is concentrated on legacy technology, hence emerging technology has not yet been considered due to factors such as untested use case, high risk on return on investment, the complexity of new technology and lack of organisational support. The implication of this study shows that adoption is still in its infancy stage; consequently, additional awareness, collaboration between academia and industry, investment in training, and prospects for industry efficiency and productivity are required. While the focus of the research is confined to real estate and commercial property, additional research can be conducted on other segments of the FM industry in Malaysia, including healthcare and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Malaysian context, the designers of many office buildings are largely unaware of the effect of colour in the working environment. The choice of colours is made without further study of the problems that might arise from unsuitable colour choices. Employers should therefore be advised to improve the surroundings of the office in order to meet the needs and comfort of the employees. This study was conducted to enhance the awareness of both the building users and the facility managers on the importance of colour schemes in productivity. Three case study buildings were chosen, consisting of three office buildings in the capital city of Malaysia. Questionnaires were distributed in each case study and feedback from the respondents was gathered. This data was then analyzed and the findings are presented. In Malaysia nowadays, there is a lack of awareness about the preference of colour schemes for office buildings. Many are unaware of the effect of the colour scheme on the employees' productivity. It is anticipated that this study will enhance the awareness and encourage the correlation between the working environment and colour matters amongst building users and management. Keywords: Awareness, Colour scheme, Productivity and Office buildings, 1. Introduction Colour is a visual phenomenon triggered by the response to the stimulation of light. It pervades every aspect of our lives, embellishes the ordinary and gives beauty and [...]

An excellent practice of maintenance management is greatly needed to increase the life cycle of the property and to minimize unexpected breakdowns or deterioration effects. In this respect, the modern maintenance manager will have to rely as much on knowledge of the managerial and social sciences as on the traditional technique knowledge base of building construction and deterioration. Improper conduct and application of maintenance management procedure and systems may result in deteriorating the property itself. Therefore, the performance of the maintenance management operations have to be continuously reviewed and analysed in order to ascertain a high quality service. This study aims to present the personnel characteristics in the current practice of building maintenance management in Malaysia. Questionnaires are distributed to all maintenance personnel on selected buildings. These data are then analysed consequently to produce the in depth understanding of personnel characteristics in current building maintenance practice in Malaysia. This study believe to be valuable in identifying where the practice needed further attention and helped pin point problems areas within building maintenance management. Keywords: Building maintenance, Personnel, High-rise offices, Malaysia, 1. Introduction Building maintenance management is a highly complex sphere of operations, involving the interaction between the technical, social, legal and fiscal determinants that govern the use of buildings (Francis [...]

As a multi-function method, Building Information Modeling (BIM) can assist construction organizations in improving their project's quality, optimize collaboration efficiency, and reduce construction periods and expenditure. Given the distinguished contributions of BIM utilization, there is a trend that BIM has significant potential to be utilized in the construction phase of green buildings. Compared with traditional buildings, green buildings have more stringent requirements, including environmental protection, saving energy, and residents' comfort. Although BIM is deemed an effective method to achieve the abovementioned requirements in the construction process of green buildings, there are few systematic reviews that explore the capabilities of BIM in the construction phase of green buildings. This has hindered the utilization of BIM in the construction of green buildings. To bridge this research gap and review the latest BIM capabilities, this study was developed to perform a systematic review of the BIM capabilities in the construction phase of green buildings. In this systematic review, the PRISMA protocol has been used as the primary procedure for article screening and review. The entire systematic review was performed from January 2022 to April 2022. In this process, 165 articles were included, reviewed, and discussed. Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus were adopted as the databases. Through this systematic review, it can be identified that BIM capabilities have significant advantages in project quality improvement, lifecycle data storage and management, collaboration optimization, planning, and schedule management optimization in the construction phase of green buildings. Through the discussion, it can be concluded that BIM utilization can be adopted from the pre-construction phase to the post-construction stage in the green building construction process. Besides these, the barriers to BIM utilization in the green building construction phase are also revealed in the discussion section, including the non-uniform data format, insufficient interactivity, ambiguous ownership, insufficient BIM training, and hesitation toward BIM adoption. Moreover, the challenges and future directions of BIM utilization in green building construction are identified. The findings of this study can facilitate construction personnel to be acquainted with BIM capabilities in the construction of green buildings to promote the utilization and optimization of BIM capabilities in the green building construction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]