ACI APAC Director, Zhu Liu, conducts knowledge exchange with key partners in Malaysia

Gift Exchange between ACI and JSM. From left to right: Walter Yap, Chapter President, Zhu Liu, ACI Staff, Hussalmizzar Bin Hussain, Senior Director of JSM Standardisation Division, Steven Ong, Founder of CRT.

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) met with leading fiberglass rebar technology group, CRT Manufacturing and the ACI Malaysia Chapter on August 16-17, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These groups met with an aligned goal of adopting ACI CODE 440.11-22 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars into Malaysia code environment.

The ACI Malaysia Chapter has engaged in two events in the last year that highlight their global participation in the concrete industry and their continued support of ACI's strategic goals. These events include the Emerging Sustainable Solutions in Concrete Seminar, and the Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) OneBuild, key takeaways highlighted below.

On August 16, 2026 — the ACI Malaysia chapter organized a Members’ Engagement Session with Zhu Liu, ACI APAC Director, at the CRT Manufacturing factory. The session was centered on strengthening direct engagement between the ACI international affairs team and members of the ACI Malaysia Chapter. Discussion topics included members’ views on local industry needs, professional development, technical support, membership benefits, and opportunities for greater regional and international collaboration. Members were able to exchange ideas directly, raise questions, and discuss how ACI could provide more relevant support to engineers, academicians, students, manufacturers, and other concrete industry stakeholders in Malaysia. Liu also shared information on ACI’s technical resources, certification programs, and networking opportunities. This meaningful interaction helped strengthen the relationship between the ACI international affairs team and the ACI Malaysia Chapter while giving members a clearer understanding of how they could participate more actively in ACI’s programs and global professional network.

On August 17, 2026 — representatives from the ACI international affairs team, the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM), and the ACI Malaysia Chapter held their first official discussion to explore opportunities for technical cooperation. The meeting focused on the ongoing adoption of ACI CODE 440.11-22 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars in Malaysia, particularly their application to fiber-reinforced polymer reinforcement for concrete structures. The parties exchanged views on the adoption process, relevant technical requirements, and the technical support that the ACI international affairs team could provide through the ACI Malaysia Chapter.

The discussion also explored opportunities for future collaboration between the ACI international affairs team, and the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) through the ACI Malaysia Chapter, including the potential adoption and application of other relevant ACI standards and technical resources for the benefit of Malaysia’s concrete and construction industries. The ACI Malaysia Chapter will serve as the local coordinating platform to facilitate communication, technical engagement, and future initiatives between both organizations. This inaugural engagement marked an important step towards establishing a closer and more structured working relationship. The meeting concluded positively, with all parties expressing their interest in maintaining communication and pursuing further cooperation. An exchange of gifts was held at the end of the session as a gesture of appreciation and goodwill, representing the beginning of a constructive and mutually beneficial collaboration.

These efforts highlight the ACI Malaysia Chapter's continued commitment to advancing concrete knowledge, encouraging professional development, and promoting sustainable construction practices throughout Malaysia.

Group Picture between ACI delegate, Chapter Leaders, CRT Representatives, and JSM leaders. From left to right: Unknown, Nural Shazlin Norshahimi, Assistant Director of JSM, Muhamad Amar Mufti, Assistant Director of JSM, James Lim, Secretary of Chapter, Boone Lim, Director of Chapter, Tia Jin Heng (Henry) of Chapter, EnGr. Tuan Haji Mohd. Mazlan Bin Ismail Merican, the past President of Institute of Engineers Malaysia, Walter Yap, President of Chapter, Zhu Liu, ACI Staff, Hussalmizzar Bin Hussain, Senior Director of JSM Standardisation Division, Steven Ong, Founder of CRT, Huang Mei Si, Deputy Managing Director of CRT, Roslee Saad, Senior Principal Assistant Director of JSM.

From Left to right: Walter Yap, ACI Malaysia Chapter President, Zhu Liu, ACI Staff, Kian Fatt (Steven) Ong, Founder/Managing Director of CRT Manufacturing.

ACI Malaysia Chapter Meeting Attendees Visits the CRT Manufacturing Factory. Department of Standards Malaysia (JSM) Standardization Department, Chapter leaders, Hussalmizzar Bin Hussain, Senior Director, Roslee Saad, Senior Principal Assistant Director, Muhamad Amar Mufti, Assistant Director, Nural Shazlin Norshahimi, Assistant Director of JSM, and the past President of IEM, EnGr. Tuan Haji Mohd. Mazlan Bin Ismail Merican, Steven Ong, Meisi Huang of CRT, Standardisation Senior Director.