Shaping the Future of Engineering in Malaysia: Reflections from the Stakeholder Engagement on the Establishment of the Malaysia Engineering Council (MyEC)

Ir. Ts. Muhammad Firdaus

Aug 5

3 min read

On 28 July 2026, I had the privilege of participating in the Stakeholder Engagement Session on the Establishment of the Malaysia Engineering Council (MyEC) at Dewan Tan Sri Mahfoz Khalid. The event gathered representatives from engineering professional bodies, industry associations, academia, regulators, and practitioners from various disciplines with a common purpose: to discuss the future direction of engineering governance and professional development in Malaysia.

As Malaysia advances towards a more technology-driven and innovation-centred future, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that the engineering profession is represented, regulated, and developed through an effective and collaborative framework. This is where the proposed Malaysia Engineering Council (MyEC) comes into the picture.

Why the Establishment of MyEC Matters

The engineering profession in Malaysia has evolved significantly over the past several decades. Today, the profession encompasses not only PE/PEPC but also ET, IOW, comprising specialists in oil and gas, marine engineering, automotive engineering, manufacturing, digital systems, sustainability, and many other emerging fields. The complexity of today's engineering landscape raises an important question:

'How do we create a unified platform that can effectively represent the interests and aspirations of the entire engineering ecosystem?'

The proposed MyEC seeks to address this challenge by creating a collaborative platform that strengthens engagement between stakeholders, promotes professional excellence, and supports strategic policy development that aligns with national aspirations.

Rather than functioning solely as another organisation, discussions during the engagement suggested that MyEC could potentially become a coordinating platform that brings together diverse voices across the engineering fraternity to address common issues affecting the profession.

Understanding the Current Engineering Regulatory Landscape

One of the presentations during the session revisited the provisions under the Registration of Engineers Act (REA) 1967, which remains the primary legislation governing engineering practice in Malaysia. The session reinforced the importance of maintaining professional standards while simultaneously ensuring inclusivity across different categories of engineering practitioners. As engineering projects become increasingly multidisciplinary, there is a growing need to ensure that every member of the engineering workforce understands their role and contributes effectively within an integrated professional ecosystem.

Aligning with BEM Strategic Plan 2026-2030

Another significant aspect of the engagement was the presentation on the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) Strategic Plan 2026-2030. The strategic plan outlines four major thrusts:

1. Talent Development and Retention

The engineering profession faces increasing competition in attracting and retaining talent. Many young engineers seek opportunities abroad or transition into other industries due to better prospects.

2. Governance, Regulatory Empowerment and Enforcement

Strong governance remains essential in maintaining public confidence in engineering services. Good governance is not about restricting the profession but about protecting public interest while enabling innovation.

3. Professional Recognition and Branding

Despite being one of the most critical professions underpinning national development, engineers often work behind the scenes.The engineering profession deserves greater recognition not only for its technical contributions but also for its role in driving economic growth and societal well-being.

4. Innovation and Technological Readiness

Technology is reshaping every aspect of engineering. Artificial intelligence, digital twins, BIM, automation, robotics, renewable energy systems, and smart infrastructure are no longer future concepts. They are today's reality. Malaysia's engineering ecosystem must therefore become increasingly innovation-oriented and future-ready. The proposed MyEC could potentially play an important role in supporting collaboration among industry, academia, and government to prepare engineers for these emerging challenges.

The Value of Diverse Perspectives

One of the most meaningful parts of the engagement was the breakout discussion session.

I was particularly encouraged by the diversity of participants involved. Representatives from professional institutions and associations across different engineering disciplines were given the opportunity to share their perspectives openly. Among the participants were representatives from:

The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)
Institution of Mechanical Engineers Malaysia Branch (IMechE)
Malaysian Oil, Gas and Energy Engineering Council (MOGEC)
Society of Automotive Engineers Malaysia (SAE)
Persatuan Jurutera Marin Malaysia
Construction Inspector of Works Association Malaysia

The diversity of viewpoints demonstrated the richness of expertise available within Malaysia's engineering community. While perspectives differed on certain issues, there was a common understanding that the future of the profession depends on collaboration rather than fragmentation.