INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 outbreak has created unprecedented complexity and challenges in the construction landscape in the region. Many construction projects have experienced delays, disruption and even suspension, which is likely to result in increased costs in terms of financing, management, and labour cost. Contractors need to make many adjustments when performing work, and to comply with additional safety measures at the same time. Many projects have obtained approval to resume but many challenges are still ahead.
Join this webinar, a collaboration between CIOB and HKA, to hear from our experts from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore who will share how you can overcome these challenges.
Topics discussed will include:
- Overview and key considerations when faced with project suspension due to COVID-19
- Lessons learnt on coping with the implementation of additional COVID-19 measures based on first-hand experience of a project suspension in Singapore
- Key considerations on COVID-19 related suspension in an Indonesian law governed construction contract
- Practical steps to take for resumption of work
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Contractors, Subcontractors, Owners, Developers, Engineers.
REGISTRATION
For a complimentary pass, please use the code ‘CIOBHKA‘ when you register.
SPEAKERS
Shamila Neelakandan
Partner and Head of Operations Malaysia, HKA
Shamila Neelakandan is a dual qualified Lawyer (Malaysia and UK) with 25 years of legal, contracts and commercial experience in the construction industry. In addition to her legal qualifications, she is also a Fellow with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.Shamila commenced her career in 1996 as a lawyer focusing on dispute resolution in Malaysia. She acted as counsel in various disputes before High Court and arbitral tribunals in Malaysia, some of which involving international contractors based in the UK.
Shamila was fortunate to be given the opportunity to further develop her career in international dispute resolution beyond her native Malaysia. She worked as a Senior Solicitor for Osborne Clarke in the United Kingdom in 2005, where she was involved in disputes on rail and infrastructure projects in Ghana, Ireland and across the Great Britain.
Shamila’s international career then progressed to project consulting in 2007, after completing ten years as a practicing lawyer. Since then, she has worked on major projects, including power generation & water desalination, oil & gas, and rail & infrastructure opportunities throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Some of the key mega projects worked on include first of a kind projects such as the biggest power and water desalination plant in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Shuaibah), the Dubai Metro, UAE, Bosporus Crossing in Turkey, Kusile Power Plant, South Africa and two supercritical technology power plants in Malaysia.
Shamila has through her experience on projects developed expertise in tender negotiations, procurement, commercial strategy and claims management. She continues to undertake advocacy work in consulting services through negotiations, presentations and case management services in dispute resolution.
Shamila previously had a regional role in HKA with a practice responsibility for the consulting group’s businesses in Asia, Middle East and Africa. She now heads the Malaysian operations and has a profit and loss responsibility within the business for the local region.
Shamila is a member of the Society of Construction law and is on the Roll of Solicitors, England & Wales (non practising). She is also a recipient of the Chevening Scholarship that was awarded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK to pursue a Master of Laws at King’s College, London in 2003.
Shamila is considered a thought leader in her field and regularly advises boards of directors of multi-national organisations around the world on project turnaround and financial recovery assignments. She is also a frequent public speakers and seminars and conferences in Asia. Her professional capacity aside, Shamila works with young achievers who are keen to make a difference in their professional, academic and communal life, which is something she finds very inspiring.
Narendra Adiyasa
Partner, Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung in association with Herbert Smith Freehills
Narendra is a Partner who leads the Disputes, Arbitration and Employment teams at Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung. His clients represent a wide variety of industries, with many coming from the energy, mining, banking and technology sectors.
Narendra is focused on representing the interests of foreign parties in Indonesian litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. He helps clients with contingency planning and crisis management, (proactive and reactive) in relation to strikes, health & safety breaches, termination of employment, regulatory investigations and other employment issues. He also provides extensive training to in-house counsel and managers on a wide range of topics, including competition, corruption, and performance management.
Narendra has significant experience in commercial arbitration under various institutional rules. In 2019 he was appointed Regional Ambassador for the young arm of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC). He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
Kelvin Hon
Commercial Director, ISG
Kelvin Hon is the Commercial Director of ISG’s business operations in Singapore since 2014 after joining ISG in 2010. He holds a BSc degree in Building from the National University of Singapore.
Working on projects from inception to completion, Kelvin has gained vast experience as how to manage to quality expectations, implement delivery controls and cost management within construction projects. Whether he is working as part of the design team or main contractor, Kelvin works closely with the site management and the client teams to ensure procurement and delivery of works meet clients’ expectations.
He has been actively involved in many large scale projects for many multinational and blue-chip firms, across the hospitality, corporate real estate, retail, education, healthcare, technology and diplomatic sectors.
Kelvin has been with the industry for over 20 years and has built strong and trusted relationships with all clients, consultants and the supply chain across all trades, building a reputation for robust delivery and solid stakeholder management.
MODERATOR
Benjamin Highfield
Partner and Head of Asia, HKA
Benjamin Highfield is the Head of Asia and a claims and disputes specialist at HKA. He has more than 15 years’ major project experience in the construction industry, spanning buildings, transportation infrastructure, oil and gas, power and water markets. Additionally, he regularly advises clients on commercial and contractual matters, as well as claims management and dispute resolution.
Benjamin has led teams on multiple oil and gas, water and power projects and has negotiated high value settlements with major governmental organisations. With his extensive experience of many of the major standard forms of contract, he has been employed by government bodies and large private companies to advise on a range of broad and diverse matters.
Benjamin is an experienced delay and quantum analyst and has prepared multiple claims for extension of time, disruption, prolongation and acceleration. He has drafted detailed contractual arguments for disputed variations, termination, suspension and arbitration amongst others.
