Robotics assist engineers in many tasks.
New Engineering Categories
In concert with liberalisation trends, Malaysian
engineering registration rules have been reformed.
This is manifested in the amendment to the
Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (REA) in 2015,
led by BEM. Following amendments to REA, new
engineering categories were added. There are now
a total of seven categories of engineering personnel
who can be registered with BEM. These are:
1. Professional Engineers
2. Graduate Engineers
3. Engineering Consultancy Practices
4. Accredited Checkers
5. Professional Engineers with Practising
Certificates
6. Engineering Technologists
7. Inspector of Works
Besides the traditional engineer, two new
categories - Inspector of Works and Engineering
Technologists widen the scope for students
interested to enter the engineering profession.
Prof. Ir. Dr K S Kannan, BEM Editorial Board
member, explains that a person who holds a
technician’s qualification recognised by BEM can
apply for registration as an Inspector of Works
(IOW). This is normally an accredited Diploma in
Engineering. The IOW, the person doing supervision
on behalf of the consultant, ensures that the
structural, mechanical and electro-technical
aspects of building construction are carried out
in accordance with plans and specifications.
An Engineering Technologist is trained to be a
more practice-oriented or ‘hands-on’ engineering
professional dedicated to the development, design
and implementation of engineering work. A person
who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
Technology recognised by BEM can be registered
as an Engineering Technologist.
In terms of recognition and authority, another
category called Professional Engineer with a
Practising Certificate is the person entitled to submit
plans, engineering surveys, drawings, scheme
proposals, reports, designs or studies in Malaysia.
Their professional standing increases if they have at
least 10 years of relevant practical experience in the
design and construction of buildings, enabling them
to qualify as Accredited Checker.
Entrepreneurial Engineers
For entrepreneurial engineers, they can operate
businesses as sole proprietors, partnerships or
body corporate, if they meet the conditions and
requirements set by BEM. Equity requirements
have been relaxed. Body corporates are allowed to
67