The Malaysian Professional Engineer programme

The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) is a statutory body constituted under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 with perpetual succession and a common seal. 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 and the Registrar is made by the Minister. Its primary role is to facilitate the registration of engineers and regulate the professional conduct and practice of registered engineers in order to safeguard the safety and interest of the public.

The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) was established in 1959 and its primary function is to promote and advance the science and profession of engineering in any or all of its disciplines and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas related to engineering. The governing body of the IEM is the Council, headed by the President. The affairs of the Council are carried out by the Executive Committee.

The award and registration of a professional engineer is under the purview of BEM, however BEM no longer handles the selections, examinations and other related procedures. These are handled by IEM. The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, UKM, has appointed myself to review the procedures for staff to become one and ensure compliance with the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) requirements, with regards to professional engineering. The EAC is a delegated body by BEM, ‘as the only recognized accrediting body for engineering degree programmes offered in the nation’.

Below is an explanation of the procedures and documents with examples. Best of lucks to aspiring staff and for registered engineers, this is a life-long learning profession, one must comply with the CPD requirements.

1. Explanation: a presentation

2. Flow for research path

i.	Register as BEM as graduate member, a minimum of 3 years are required
ii.	Attend required course endorsed by BEM
iii.	Fill in and submit Borang PI(1) and Technical Experience Summary, wait for one or two months until IEM appoints interviewer/s
iv.	Fill in and submit Borang P1(2) and project report and drawing 2 weeks prior to professional interview
v.	Receive results of professional interview
vi.	An applicant who does not have one year industrial training, must undergo an industrial attachment. An industrial training is the period where the applicant works in industry or equivalent and supervised by a professional engineer. The period that may be used as industrial training is after registration with BEM.
vii.	Submit Borang B1 to BEM
viii.	Receive result, if successful, you may affix title ‘Ir.’ to your name
ix.	Complete CPD and re-register annually