CEM 582

ENGINEERS IN SOCIETY

Engineering Professional Bodies

By: Siti Isma Hani Bt Ismail
 Background
• Building failures & site fatal accidence are
common in the construction industry
• Construction site accidence accounts ~10% of
total accidence to general workers in general
• Series of landslide and building failures either
during construction, occupation or demolitions
has created great concern to the public with wide
publicity in the press
• These incidents not only cause the loss of money,
also the loss of life or physical injury
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 Working Group (WG)
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) has formed
a Working Group (WG) to:
• study the whole supply chain of the construction
industry
• to look into the stages of development against
the stakeholders involved, relevant laws or
policies related to it, possible causes of failures &
recommendations.
• to perform literature reviews on past cases of
building failure
 Working Group (WG)
The WG is headed by Ir. Tan Yean Chin, Chairman of
professional Practice Committee of the BEM, with
representatives from the construction industry as follow:
• IEM- Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
• KPKT- Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan
• ACEM- Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia
• CIDB- Construction Industry Development Board
• PSDC- Professional Service Development Corporation
• MBAM- Master Builder Association Malaysia
• DOSH- Department of Safety & Health
• PAM- Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia
• LAM- Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia
• BEM- Board of Engineers, Malaysia
 Engineering Professional Bodies in
Malaysia
↬Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Founded in 1972

↬Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)

Founded in 1959

↬Association of Consulting Engineer Malaysia

(ACEM)
Founded in late 90’s
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
• a statutory body constituted under the Registration of Engineers Act
1967 with perpetual succession and a common seal, which may sue
and be sued. It was formed in 23rd August 1972.
• BEM falls within the ambit of responsibility of the Minister of Works.
Vested with wide powers, the Minister may suspend the operation of
the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (REA 1967) in any part of
Malaysia by notification in the gazette. The appointment of the Board
Members & the Registrar is made by the Minister.
• Through its mechanism of control, BEM has taken upon itself to
reclassify the engineering works, streamline the Scale of Fees & amend
the Engineers Act to reflect the pragmatic needs of the engineers and
engineering industry. E.g., the latest amendments of The Registration
of Engineers Act 1967 was made on 1st April 2007 to meet the
challenges of globalization & companion trade liberalisation.
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 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Objectives:

• To enforce the implementation of Continuing Professional

Development (CPD).
• To add more functions & advise the Government & Public.
• To strengthen the penalty in the REA 1967.
• To strengthen the suspension period.
• Introduction of new Part that deals with the establishment,
powers & conduct of proceedings of a Disciplinary Committee.
• Action on submitting engineer related to CCC or others.
• Impose additional conditions to ensure engineers follow latest
developments.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
• Vision: To be a highly respected &
authoritative body that ensures public interest
& safety in engineering.
• Mission: To ensure that engineering services
provided in the country are of high quality,
delivered with due diligence, conforming to
professional ethics & benchmarked to the best
practices
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Client’s Chapter:
• All matters pertaining to the registration of
engineers shall be processed within a stipulated
time frame.
• BEM shall actively participate in activities related
to the engineering profession in tandem with
other government agencies or interested parties.
• All complaints & enquiries received from the
public relating to engineering services shall be
attended to expeditiously
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Composition of BEM:
• BEM consists of 17 Board Members comprising of:
President
14 Professional Engineers from various sectors:
- 5 from public sector.
- 5 from private practice.
- 2 from local authority or statutory authority.
- 2 from private sector (full time employment).
1 representative of the Board of Architects Malaysia.
1 representative of the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia.

• Board Members are Professional Engineers, Architect and Quantity Surveyor of

high standing and vast experience as in the opinion of the Ministry of Works and
are able to render services and contribute towards that end. The appointment are
by the Ministry of Works under Section 3 of the Registration of Engineers Act
1967. The Secretary & the Registrar who are Professional Engineers shall be ex-
officio members.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Functions according to Section 4 of he Registration of
Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2007):

• 1. Maintain the Register

The Board shall keep and maintain a Register which shall be in 5 Parts:
Part A - which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Professional Engineers.
Part B - which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Graduate Engineers.
Part C - which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Temporary Engineers.
Part D - which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Engineering consultancy practices.
Part E - which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Accredited Checkers.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Functions according to Section 4 of he Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised
2007):
• 2. Process Applications for Registration
BEM through its Examination and Qualification Committee conducts Professional
Assessment Examination (PAE) to assess the quality of experience gained by the
Graduate Engineers & their competency. Every application for registration, be it
as Graduate Engineers, Professional Engineers, Engineering Consultancy Practices
or Temporary Engineers (foreign engineers) is scrutinized thoroughly by the
Application Committee to ensure compliance with the Act and with the policy of
BEM. Application to register as Accredited Checkers will be assessed by
Accredited Checkers Committee.

BEM also applies restrictions on practices of bodies corporate with the aim that
engineering consulting services provided by these bodies corporate would be
done professionally for the benefit of the client/public. Restrictions are also
imposed on Temporary Engineers.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Functions according to Section 4 of he Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2007):

• 3. Assessment of Academic Qualifications

BEM through the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC)* conducts accreditation of
engineering degree programmes offered by institutions of higher learning within Malaysia.
Accreditation is done through the evaluation panel (from academic and industry/practice)
whose members are appointed by EAC. The accreditation panel shall visit the institution to
evaluate the curriculum, facilities and the quality management system and have dialogue
with the management, academic and support staff, students and industry stakeholders.

The period of full accreditation shall be five years after which it has to be revalidated. Where
there are minor shortcomings in meeting the accreditation requirement, the programme
may be given accreditation for a period of less than five years during which the faculty
must take necessary corrective measures.

Prior to conduct of a new engineering programme institution of higher learning shall

obtain approval from the relevant authorities. The authority normally will require
supporting document from the EAC.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Functions according to Section 4 of he Registration of Engineers Act 1967
(Revised 2007):

• 4. Regulate the Conduct and Ethics of the Engineering Profession

• Since its inception in 1972, BEM has been a medium for the engineers to
decide on matters relating to their professional conduct or ethics. Any
matter concerning the professional conduct of registered engineers will be
studied by the BEM to determine whether there is a breach of professional
ethics or code. If the need arises, BEM will carry out investigations to
establish whether there is a prima facie case against a registered engineer
for contravening the Act. The procedures to follow are prescribed in
Section 15 of the Act.
• If there is a breach of professional ethics or code of conduct on the part of
the engineer but such breach is not serious enough to warrant suspension
or cancellation of registration, appropriate action, e.g. warning, censure or
advice would be taken by BEM as deemed fit. Such measures should be
viewed by the engineers at large as a concerned effort on the part of BEM
to rid the black sheep of the engineering fraternity.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Functions according to Section 4 of he Registration
of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2007):
• 5. Disputes on Professional Conduct and Ethics

BEM through its Professional Practice Committee

hear and determine disputes relating to
Professional Conduct and Ethics of registered
engineers.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Functions according to Section 4 of he Registration
of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2007):
• 6. Fix the Scale of Fees

In this respect the Scale of Fees Committee of

BEM continues to have dialogues sessions with
the Treasury of Malaysia on issues involving
mode of remuneration, quantum and conditions
of payment.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
• Functions according to Section 4 of he
Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised
2007):
• 7. Stakeholder
To be a stakeholder in a contract for
Professional Engineer services when
requested.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Functions according to Section 4 of he Registration of
Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2007):

8. Publication
The Publication Committee of BEM undertakes the task of
promoting engineering profession through The Ingenieur and
other printed materials. The Ingenieur (4 issues per year:
March, June, Sept and December) is used as a communication
tool for BEM to disseminate information on activities of the
Board, regulations, code of ethics, career development,
update and guidelines and such other news as decided by the
BEM.
 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Functions according to Section 4 of he Registration of Engineers Act 1967
(Revised 2007):

• 9. Promotion of Continued Learning and Education

BEM has set certain guidelines in connection with the financial
assistance provided. BEM will consider providing financial assistance to
a seminar or conference which is organised by a non-profit making
organisation. The seminar or conference must be technical one that will
benefit the registered engineers.
The promotion of continued learning and education does not stop here.
BEM would also consider giving grant to selected type of study related
to engineering or contribute prizes for selected competition also related
to engineering.
In order to keep abreast with changing technology, BEM encourages all
registered engineers to continually improve themselves through
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Programme.
 Institute of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)
• established in 1959
• its primary function is to promote and advance the
science and profession of engineering in any or all of
its disciplines & to facilitate the exchange of
information and ideas related to engineering.
• The governing body is the Council, headed by the
President. The affairs of the Council are carried out
by the Executive Committee comprising the
President, Deputy President, 7 Vice Presidents,
Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer & 5
members elected from the Council. Operations are
supported by a full time Secretariat.
Institute of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)
• Membership of the Institution is currently about
23,000 & the growth rate ~ 10% / year, making it one
of the largest professional organization in the country.
• In order to support the needs of members, the IEM has
8 Standing Committees to attend to the different
administrative functions of the Institution.
• To support the multidisciplinary needs of engineering
practice, there are 18 Technical Divisions & 3 Special
Interest Groups to look after & to organize activities for
the different disciplines.
• There is also a Graduate & Student Section that caters
exclusively to the younger members.
Institute of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)
• Vision: to be the premier professional Organisation
pivotal achieving Vision 2020.
• Mission:
1. promote sound professional engineering practice in
support of the socio-economic development objectives of
the nation.
2. service the needs and interests of its members and the
public and uphold the social standing image of the
engineering profession.
3. contribute towards nation building and shall strive to
enhance society's consciousness of science an technology.
Institute of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)
• Functions:
IEM is a society established to promote and
advance the Science and Profession of
Engineering in any or all its disciplines & to
facilitate the exchange of information and ideas
related to Engineering.
 Institute of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)
• Objectives:

1. to hold meetings, exhibitions and visits, & such other activities as The
Instituition may deem incidental or conducive to the promotion or
attainment of the profession of engineering.
2. to raise the character and status and advance the interests of the profession
of engineering & those engaged therein;
3. to promote honourable practice. and professional etiquette among members
of The Instituition;
4. to communicate to members information on all matters affecting the
profession of engineering and to print, publish, issue and circulate such
publications as may seem conducive to any of the objectives of the
Institution; and
5. to do such other things as the Institution may thing incidental or conducive to
the attainment of the objectives of The Institution
 Association of Consulting
Engineers Malaysia (ACEM)
• The ACEM is a non-profit limited company,
incorporated under the Companies’ Act in 1963.
• The affairs of the ACEM are governed by their
memorandum and articles of association.
• The philosophy of ACEM is that the members should
uphold high principles and established themselves as
an elite group of unbiased professional engineers who
can be trusted to give independent and unbiased
professional advice which is completely unfettered by
the possibility of conflicts of interest arising due to a
Consulting Engineer’s excessive involvement in
business or other commercial ventures, especially with
his/her nature of work.
 Association of Consulting Engineers
Malaysia (ACEM)
Objectives:

• To ensure that consulting engineers undertaking to advise on

engineering matters shall fully qualified engineers in their
respective fields and should act in all professional matters in
a strictly fiduciary capacity to their client
• To advise the public on engineering matters or design &
supervising the construction of engineering works
• To deal with the science and problems of engineering which
are of equal interest to all engineers. The association strictly
confines its attention to matters affecting the status,
professional conduct emolument and the general interests of
those engineers who have adopted consulting work as their
profession.
 BEM

IEM

ACEM