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.


Upcoming and Past Trainings



Recent Reviews

  • Is Site Investigation sufficient to tell you stories about a construction site? No! Site Investigation (SI) which includes field testing, instrumentation and boreholes where soils are extracted is not sufficient to tell you the complete story of a construction site. There is a need for a geophysics study for a construction site which is extremely sensitive to geotechnical and geological changes. In one of my latest work in integrity study involving three dams in Sabah requires geophysics. What information which are not conveniently available in SI and instrumentation? First of all, water table and/flow net are not available in SI except for possible correlation and extension. None of these are deterministic by nature and hence, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) will indicate the actual profile which usually are heuristic in nature. Soil ...
    Posted Jul 28, 2022, 6:15 AM by jeffery jim
  • Trial Mix and Designed Mix Trial mix and designed mix are two of the most important essence in quality assurance (QA) for concrete which I have spoken many times previously. The gist to this exercise is to acquire statistical understanding of the concrete that shall be used for the construction in the sense of its physical properties and the narrative it provides during test which can be use during quality control (QC) during construction and/or execution. Among the important and essential information which can be use to overrule the standard specification (SP) is the concrete setting time. It takes precedence when determining the slump of concrete after 45 minutes or one hour as stipulated in the SP as well the allowed extension of time ...
    Posted Jul 28, 2022, 6:12 AM by jeffery jim
  • Value Engineering in QAQC: Let's Talk about Overruling Standard Specifications Overruling the specification? How dare you overrule a standard specification (SP) set by the Client and binded as part of the Contract? You are not the Superintending Officer and how can you take charge of overruling?2. These are typical questions by many engineers who failed to see beyond their responsibilities. The question is not about overruling but what can be done during quality assurance (QA) stage which will assist decision when it comes to quality control (QC) stage. What miscellaneous information can be use as parameters, determinants, and/or constants when analyses are conducted when issues arise during construction stage? Here is the trade-off for an engineer to plan from the early stage of any construction based on ...
    Posted Jul 28, 2022, 6:11 AM by jeffery jim
  • Concrete Slump Test As Civil Engineer, this is one of the most common tests that one will have to go through. Nevertheless, it is dumbfounded that some engineers could not understand what the reading from this test renders.The Concrete Slump Test is one of the in-situ concrete tests which will be done before concrete is discharged in-situ. This test is governed by BS EN 12350 Part 2 and the older reference would be BS 1881 Part 102. There are less than 10 pages and it would make many wonders why some cannot comprehend such a simple test.Question: What is the difference between S5 slump and collapse? (This question was posed by a consulting engineer from either Malaysia or Myanmar ...
    Posted Jul 28, 2022, 6:09 AM by jeffery jim
  • The Fundamental of Design Philosophy When talking about design in construction, most engineers only recognize models based on structural analysis. In this case, graduates are usually exposed to deterministic type of design with proper design calculation and all sort of parameters which are proven to be acceptable for cases considered as ultimate limit state (ULS) as well as serviceable limit state (ULS). 2. Nevertheless, what most engineers are not exposed to is the second type of design derivation which is design assisted by test. The former was deterministic and the latter is probabilistic or heuristic by nature as stipulated and acknowledged by the Eurocode in BS EN 1990. In this particular code of practice, there is no definite way to simulate an outcome which can ...
    Posted Jul 28, 2022, 6:08 AM by jeffery jim
  • Schedule Basis Memorandum - Inclusion of Statistics I am preparing a few abstracts for conventions this year. Among these papers are related to project management apart from engineering and geology. One of the key papers I am going to present would be in regards to risk distribution which was never entailed and annexed previously in preparation of Schedule Basis Memorandum (SBM) as essential submission when deriving a work program for projects by NGCs like PETRONAS. Unlike JKR PWD203 variants contract which require a conventional project contractor to submit a work program in just fourteen days, NGCs or mega projects of national interest require and allow for a longer period of time to prepare a work program. Often, the work program will be scrutinized and SBM is one ...
    Posted Jul 28, 2022, 6:07 AM by jeffery jim
  • Particle Size Distribution (PSD) - Understanding and Troubleshooting Recently, there has been an issue in regards to aggregate size which did not fit into the envelope and failed to comply with the standard specification. The issue have serious implication as it affect the wearing course of the road and this can run as high as tens of million of Ringgit. Non-compliance mean the contractor will have to scrap the existing asphaltic course, delaying their work and borne the additional cost to reconstruct another layer of wearing course in order to complete the work satisfactorily. 2. Here, an engineer have to understand the two elements of supervision, which are; quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA). QA is the a field of supervision where all issues are thoroughly ...
    Posted Jul 28, 2022, 6:06 AM by jeffery jim
  • How to Read British Standards (BS) I spent the whole afternoon drilling my proteges about all parts of BS1377. It is hard to read BS continuously and during my varsity years, I can hardly read more than 2 to 3 pages in one seating. Most of the time, I will doze off and that made it almost impossible to understand things and pass design subjects. 2. The thing about BS is its nature which goes in point format and dull, unlike American codes which usually in paragraphs and narratives for clearer understanding. Eurocodes are much easier to read as they are in paragraphs with better narrative(s). Nevertheless, every engineer needs to understand the fundamental concepts and rely on these in order to perform their duties ...
    Posted May 10, 2022, 6:27 PM by jeffery jim
  • Pile Integrity Test This is a very informative video about Low Strain Impact Integrity Test although there are several (5 types to be exact based on ASTM). Out of these five, most time we will utilize two specific types of test which are High Strain Impact or PDA and Crosshole Sonic Logging. I prefer both of these tests than the rest. The followings are addendum about this video which one can benefit when monitoring bored pile or casted pile at site.Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) displays the same wave as per low strain in the graph in order to check pile's integrity and/or impedance. For starters, impedance of a pile can be defined as follows. "Change in impedance is related to ...
    Posted May 8, 2022, 6:08 PM by jeffery jim
  • What triggered such cracks? I saw this article and it is quite intriguing where some comments which were made by readers are controversial. Whose fault is it when there are such cracks grazing around the end of the beam? Is it the contractor, consultant or client?2. Most of the comment made directed such structural failure to consultant. It is definitely convenient as it renders a perspective where cracks triggered when there is lack of reinforcement bar (stirrup or nominal links) at the said area. This led to the reaction of beam(s) under duress and sheared under loads (sic). This is most probable scenario for most structural engineers when they look at this particular photo in the first place. Is it really the ...
    Posted May 8, 2022, 6:05 PM by jeffery jim
Showing posts 1 - 10 of 139. View more »

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
Showing posts 1 - 5 of 20. View more »

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
Showing posts 1 - 5 of 7. View more »

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
Showing posts 1 - 2 of 2. View more »

Undergraduate Career and Employment Guide

  • Engineer or Designer? Difference? Engineers: Anyone who have completed their engineering degree or relevant degree (B.Eng or B.Sc) and have registered with Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM). He or she should comply with requirements and approval by the Committee based on Registration of Engineers Act 1967 ( Revised 2015). In some cases, certain countries or universities are not accredited and have to get at least a master degree to qualify to be registered as a registered personEngineer is a broad term for a registered person as mentioned above and are allowed to practice and covered by BEM. Engineers are divided into graduate engineer, professional engineer (PE) and professional engineer with practicing certificate (PEPC). One must sits for interview and exams in order ...
    Posted Jul 28, 2022, 6:14 AM by jeffery jim
  • The Journey of a Young Engineer This is a story of a young bridge engineer whom I have known for more than three years. I got to know Awang when we was doing his industrial training under project delivery partner while I was the resident engineer for a highway project. He studied at International Islamic University Malaysia and at that time I am surprised and taken aback as this is my first encounter with civil engineering undergraduates from such university. Nevertheless, I don't have any bias except for curiosity about his ability to cope as he is not from universities with great background in engineering.2. He was a bit reserved and since he is not directly under my apprenticeship, I cannot work much with ...
    Posted May 8, 2022, 6:13 PM by jeffery jim
  • Actuarial Science As we usher into Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0), we used to hear about the potential of human loosing their job to computers. How true is this claim?Certainly not true. Only jobs which are routine in nature without much analytical methodologies will suffer under this scenario. Marketing cannot be replaced with software, logarithm, programming and artificial intelligence. IR4.0 is loaded with intelligence where the center or nexus of processing is based on the axis of information. Human and their humane properties are totally different cases. What lacks in IR4.0 is the allocation of intelligence related to emotional, creativity and adversity which are among the different quotient dimensions.That is why big data which is the current ...
    Posted May 8, 2022, 5:57 PM by jeffery jim
  • Geotechnical Engineering Basics for Young Civil & Structural (C&S) Engineers Today, I spent some time with young civil and structural engineering graduates. The followings are some of my advises I gave and probably some of you can benefit from these.2. Young C&S engineers are clueless about their career path, whether to specialized in structure design, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydrology and et cetera. Most would just follow the flow and accept what is offered to them and make the best out of it. It seems like a norm like many other career where specialization will take place after one is comfortable and willing to further excel in certain field or discipline. In my opinion, the best way to move forward is to understand challenges of each field and ...
    Posted May 8, 2022, 5:55 PM by jeffery jim
  • Great Businesses when You Forsake Your Education? The recent development about seventeen thousand students who dropped out from their tertiary education is alarming and around 5 thousand suspended their study for no reason. At the same time, with the gig economy allows many graduates to divert from their initial career and involved on all other works and jobs for better income. In certain cases, some of them believe that they would survive when venturing in business and forsake their education or what they have studies in their diploma and/or degree program. Is it worth it?What is a great business? This is a typical question many ask and wonder. It is also the money pit to scam the money out of you with worthless self-empowerment ...
    Posted Mar 17, 2022, 10:42 PM by jeffery jim
Showing posts 1 - 5 of 18. View more »