INGENIEUR
PRESIDENT’ S MESSAGE
INGENIEUR
PRESIDENT’ S MESSAGE
Infrastructure – Meeting Future Needs
Infrastructure has been closely connected with engineering since Malaysia embarked on development after gaining her independence. Infrastructure at that time was mainly basic works on road and drainage construction, water and electricity supply and simple landfills.
With advancement of technology in the manufacturing sector, IT services and affluent lifestyle, new systems of infrastructure have been added, such as optic fibre cabling, co-generation of chilled water, high capacity telecommunication networks, modern logistics support and so on. The way forward to meet expectations of new infrastructure needs will call for engineers’ action again.
The expansion of trade and new economic initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community, One Belt One Road, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Maritime Silk Road Fund that emphasize global connectivity will spur a new wave of infrastructure construction such as highways, railway lines, port upgrading, health service facilities and leisure facilities. It was reported that the Asia-Pacific region will require US $ 8 trillion from 2010 to 2020 to finance the construction of infrastructure works. The opportunities for the engineering fraternity are expected to be great in the coming years.
With the global emphasis on connectivity, highways and railways will be integrated to allow seamless movement of vehicles and rail coaches. The article on“ Asian Highway” gives the rationale on common design standard, safety protocol and navigation nomenclature as well as certain issues and policy matters relating to its implementation. For the financing perspective, the paper on“ Infrastructure Investment – Bridging the Global Gap” looks at the financing positions and options on financing models to implement new infrastructure as the pre-requisite for countries to progress.
Amidst high tech infrastructure, the article on“ Motorless Ferry that once plied the Jelai River in Kuala Lipis” brings us back to history as well as to the wisdom of our elders who used the natural force of the river’ s current to move the ferry. It is such an ingenious concept; not many engineers today can provide the answer if they are asked to design a ferry using the force of current to cross to the opposite bank of a river.
I hope you will find these articles useful and interesting, and I also look forward to your contributions to this publication.
Datuk Ir. Adanan bin Mohamed Hussain President BEM
4 VOL 66 APRIL- JUNE 2016