Harbans’ second edition of engineering, construction contracts book

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Asia Samachar | 1 May 2015

Harbans Singh, author of a four-book series on engineering and construction contracts management, is working on the second edition of the  series described as an authoritative series by industry practitioneers.

On Wednesday, publisher Lexis Nexis released the second edition of the third book in the series.

“It’s a contruction law/legal workbook that helps the industry players minus the mumbo-jumbo  of legal language,” Jaspal Singh, a senior assistant director at Malaysia’s Public Works Department (PWD) told Asia Samachar.

Jaspal was present at launch of the book at the Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The book is entitled Harbans’ Engineering and Construction Contracts Management Commencement & Administration (Second Edition).

When asked to comment if the series has made a difference, Harbans told Asia Samachar: “The jury is out there. I have done my sewa.” Sewa, in the Sikh parlance, refers to the practice of selfless service.

Harbans is a professional engineer, chartered engineer, arbitrator, mediator, adjudicator and a non-practising advocate and solicitor. At present, he is active in construction law and dispute resolution, including at KLRCA.

He commenced his career with PWD Malaysia before joining an international German engineering consultancy practice with whom he worked locally and then in Koblenz, Germany as a designer, resident engineer and contract administrator, according to his profile published in the book.

He is a regular contributor to The Ingenieur, the Malayan Law Journal, The Law Review and other professional publications.

The newly released book focuses on the downstream activities of a typical engineering/construction contract, according to information taken from the book.

Amongst the principal topics addressed are the commencement of works/operations at the site, contract administration, progress monitoring, delay and extension of time, non-completion and damages.

KLRCA director Prof Sundra Rajoo and Lexis Nexis commercial director for Southeast Asia Amitabh Srivastava were present at the launch.

B2B: Some fellow Sikhs present at the book launch were (L-R) PWD’s Jaspal Singh, physiotherapist Rejinder Singh, author Harbans Singh, lawyer/part-time law lecturer Surdev Singh and lawyer Harjeet Singh. 

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