KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Interior Industry Partners (MIIP) held its inaugural Interior Industry Awards 2014 Kuala Lumpur recently to honour and recognise excellence among those in the interior built industry in Malaysia.
The winners showing off their awards at the Interior Industry Awards 2014 Kuala Lumpur.
The event was graced by the secretary general of Ministry of Works Datuk Seri Zohari Akob, who applauded the efforts of MIIP and its members to strategise effectively, enabling MIIP to become a highly recognised association and further strengthen ties and work with the relevant industries to value add to the industry.
“I believe that by working as a team, with architects, interior designers and others, you can further enhance the intrinsic quality and character of buildings and projects in our environment,” he said through a press statement.
MIIP was established in 2010 to give a voice to the interior built industry in Malaysia as unlike the more well-known construction industry, which the public are aware of, there was deemed a need to also highlight issues and challenges faced by this other segment of one of the fastest growing industries contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
“Being a substantial growth driver contributing towards the GDP (gross domestic product) of the country, the interior built industry has been growing from strength to strength. It is without a doubt that the growth of this niche industry will continue to revolutionise the evolution of the built industry in Malaysia,” said MIIP president Datuk Vincent Lim, who is also the president of C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd, on the rising role of the interior built industry.
Commenting further on the inaugural awards, he said they were for two categories – the first being the interior product category covering floors and walls and the use of innovative ways and methods of installing floor and wall products while the other award was for fit-out contractors category covering retail, F& B (food and beverage), hotel, offices and residential.
He said by virtue of the fact that approximately 30 to 40 per cent of the cost in the built industry is dedicated to interior fit-outs, or about 50 per cent for higher-end properties, this makes the interior built industry a fast-paced and upward moving industry.
According to him, over 20 awards including Platinum and Gold Awards were given out. The judges were Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia/Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Ar Chan Seong Aun, Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) president Ar Chris Yap and Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) president Matthew Tee.
The night’s top two Platinum Awards went to Can.I Interior Fit-out Sdn Bhd for their Islamic Financial Services Centre (IFiC) Tabung Haji project in the Interior Fit Out for Workplaces category and Jalex Sdn Bhd for the Troika Sky Dining project in the Interior Fit-Out Works for Food & Beverage Outlets category.
The main objective of the awards night was to honour winners in seven categories – interior fit-out, wall covering, floor finishes, unique installations, soft furnishing, furniture & fittings and innovative products.
MIIP plans to create a module for certification courses in the area of training and education of local skilled labour with the support from relevant local governmental bodies.
“In the longer term, we aim to work to try and overcome the challenges faced by the industry and will continue to recognise our industry players through a series of awards given as a boost in recognition and value. At MIIP’s events, we are able to meet our competitors in a friendly environment so that we can share industry insights,” he added of the association’s benefits.