Introduction To Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM) & Professional Bodies
Introduction To Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM) & Professional Bodies
Section 3
1. For the purposes of this Act there is hereby
established a board to be called “Board of
Engineers” which shall be a body corporate with
perpetual succession and a common seal and
which may sue and be sued.
d. To fix from time to time with the approval of the Minister the
scale of fees to be charged by registered Engineers and
Engineering consultancy practices for professional engineering
services rendered;
Prepared by: Prof. Madya Ir. Dr. Tan Chou Yong 7
e. To hear and determine disputes relating to professional conduct or
ethics of registered Engineers or to appoint a committee or arbitrator or
arbitrators to hear and determine such disputes;
vii. To determine and regulate the conduct and ethics of the engineering
profession; and
viii. Generally, to do all such acts, matters and things as are necessary to
carry out the provisions of this Act.
• Back in 1951, the Building By-laws stated that only those who were
registered under the Architect’s Ordinance 1951, could submit plans to the
Local Authorities, but engineers are not allowed to submit building plan.
They are only allowed if they registered under Part II of the Architect’s
Ordinance, but this created unsatisfactory feeling. There was a strong need
for an Institution to cater the interest of engineers.
• From 1951-59, the activities of engineers were organized under the joint
group of ICE\IMechE\IEE. The Institution of Engineers was formed in 1959
with the objective of advancing the engineering profession. In order to
unite all engineers in the country, the Institution has been working towards
the registration of engineers since its establishment. In 1967, the
Engineer’s Act was passed with the provision that to register as a
Professional Engineer, one must first be a Corporate Member of the
Institution.
• It has grown and matured with the nation and its people. It started out
with only 60 members. Over the past two and a half decades, its
membership has increased more than a hundred-fold to almost 15,000
today, making it one of the largest professional bodies in Malaysia.
• The close rapport between the IEM and the government has been
strengthened over the years. The tangible result of the Government's
recognition of IEM was when it accepted qualification for certain posts
in the civil service. Besides gaining Government backing, IEM also
received its first international recognition when it was admitted into the
Commonwealth Engineering Council in 1962.
• raise the character and status and advance the interests of the profession;
• increase the confidence of the community in the employment of
recognized engineers by admitting to the Institution only such persons who
have adequate knowledge of both the theory and practice of engineering.
• promote honest practice, prevent malpractice and settle disputed points of
practice and ethics;
• collect and disseminate engineering information;
• arrange lectures, exhibitions and conferences, seminars, courses;
• encourage the study of engineering and improve the general and technical
knowledge of persons engaged in the profession;
• originate and promote improvements in legislation and its administration
by deputation, submissions and representations.
Introduction
• The IEM Regulations on Professional Conduct tend to be general because IEM members
comprise of various engineering disciplines, as well as types of professional employment and
businesses. IEM Code embraces many areas involving moral and philosophical considerations
including public safety & health, conservation of resources & environment, upgrading of
technology, engineers responsibility and the conduct of affairs between Engineer and
employees, clients and peers. There is a provision in the IEM by-laws that disciplinary cases are
referred to BEM for appropriate action.
• The ACEM Code is designed to order conduct of Consulting Engineers in areas like advertising
and promotion of works, fees and other remuneration, competition with other members,
submission of bids or proposals and related subject. ACEM members are bound to observe the
Codes of both BEM and IEM (if they are also IEM members) and details rules to govern the
conduct of Consulting Engineer’s business. The ACEM Code is designed to maintain strict
discipline amongst their members to ensure that they maintain their independent professional
status without excessive commercial involvement which may give rise to conflict of interest.
• For those who just graduated, aiming for professional qualification can
help them trained for the above attributes. This will make them better
engineers for their future career. For engineers who have more than 7
years of experience, there is a high chance that they already have the
above attributes. They just need to make a small effort to convert their
experience to a professional qualification.
• In the oil and gas industry, not many Clients require their engineers to
have professional qualifications. However, during this low oil price
period, a professional qualification can be an important asset for us. It
may come to 'help' us when we least expected. It is akin like a spare tyre.
We usually do not need it most of the time while running a car. However,
when one of the tyres is punctured, the ‘spare’ tyre does make a
difference in continuing our journey.
• After passing the Tier-2 exam, the graduate can apply for
Professional Engineer with Practicing Certificate (PEPC) with
BEM. As a Tier 2 Professional Engineer, he/she needs to
record 50 hrs continuous professional development (CPD)
every year.