INGENIEUR
PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
When the Government launched the Digital Economy Blueprint on February 19 , 2021 , one of its initiatives is to enhance the digital capability of professional service firms , including Engineering Consultancy Practices ( ECPs ). CIDB introduced the Building Information System ( BIM ) in the construction industry , an innovation in which ECPs need to step up when they design engineering works . These are among the game changers for ECPs involved in their engineering practices .
The Board of Engineers Malaysia ( BEM ) has launched its BEM Strategic Plan 2021-2025 . One of its themes is ‘ Enhancing the Value of the Engineering Profession with the Strategy to Promote Delivery of Engineering Services to tap into the Global Value Chain ’. The Ministry of International Trade and Investment ( MITI ) has collaborated with BEM on the export of our engineering professional services abroad . The liberalisation of professional engineering services following the amendment of the Registration of Engineers Act in 2015 will mean foreign professional engineers can participate in local engineering practices .
These are the messages to all local ECPs to stay relevant and updated in order to remain competitive in their professional engineering practices . The publication of this issue with the theme of ‘ Engineering Practice ’ serves as a wake-up call to all ECPs to stay relevant and competitive amid the onslaught of external factors and emerging technologies .
Engineering Practice
The recent spate of construction site incidents due to temporary works is alarming . This is in spite of the circular issued by BEM in 2015 on the role and responsibility of Professional Engineers for Temporary Works during Construction Stage . The article on ‘ Six Best Practices to Prevent Temporary Structure ( Formwork & Falsework ) Failures during Construction ’ by DOSH provides useful advice and guidance based on their extensive investigation in site construction failures .
With increasing affluent house purchasers , the demand for quality products from developers , consultants and contractors are at a higher threshold . BEM has been receiving complaints from the public on the unacceptable quality of construction works under the care of ECPs such as cracks , settlement , plumbing , sewerage system and so on . The article ‘ QLASSIC : Growing Industry Acceptance ’ should serve as a benchmark to prevent untoward complaints and also costly rectification works .
The Board will be holding the BEM Mini Convention on November 16 and 17 , 2021 where a series of activities and forum will be held to get connected with registered persons of BEM . You are all welcome to join our activities to keep updated on developments in engineering practice .
Dato ’ Ir . Haji Mohamad Zulkefly bin Sulaiman President , BEM
4 VOL 88 OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2021