Wooden Hut
Interview with Malaysian Timber Board by Suria Zainal
MTB:You mentioned R&D. Can you enlighten us on how much timber-based R&D done by agencies like FRIM has been utilised by the Malaysian architectural fraternity?
LW: Frankly, I can't speak for the whole Malaysian architectural fraternity but generally, I do know that Malaysian architects collaborate either individually or collectively with research institutions particularly the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) as well as relevant bodies like the Construction Industry development Board (CIDB), Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and MTC. Personally, I've been collaborating with some FRIM researchers to utilise their research results. A good example is the use of glue laminated timber (glulam) for the construction of a bridge at FRIM. Initially, many local architects like myself were skeptical in applying such technology to bigger projects such as convention centres and other buildings locally although foreign architects have successfully applied such technology and attained recognition. But with our very own local R&D support,this (skepticism) will, hopefully, become a thing of the past and Malaysian architects can look forward to specifying timbers for numerous applications.
MTB: I understand that PAM has a Timber Interest Group (TIG) and you were instrumental in its formation. Can we find out how and why it was initiated?
LW: As much as I would like to claim credit for initiating its formation, it was actually Dato' Lim Chong Kiat, the Chairman of FRIM who saw the need for such a grouping in PAM to encourage its members to "think wood". It's easier to design and work with other construction materials like concrete compared to timber. I was personally saddened by the way timber, a beautiful, natural and locally abundant raw material was not properly specified for use in certain housing projects and that prompted me to become very vocal at meetings and seminars organised by FRIM and MTIB. I guess my colleague "spotted" me from the noise I was making and he probably wanted to see whether I would put my words into action. Hence, I was made the first Chairman of PAM's Timber Industry Group and one of my very first tasks was to close the gap between the specifiers and suppliers of timber. With so many local species of timber available, specifying timber as a material when designing houses and buildings should come naturally to us Malaysians.
MTB: This has a lot to do with the thinking of the people in society as well. As a society advances materially, its intellectual capacity also develops. Have you seen a change in the thinking or mentality of the architects within the TIG?
LW: When we started of we were not a very big group but I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that many younger architects are very receptive to the idea of using timber in building construction. I personally received and serviced many queries on this subject but the more technical ones have always been referred to FRIM or MTIB. Inquiries also came from Singapore. On intellectual capacity, I think it pays to travel, as that will broaden one's thinking and perspectives. But most of all, based on my experience, one tends to appreciate what one country has to offer only after one has been or lived abroad.
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