Ingenieur Vol 62 April-June 2015 Ingenieur Vol 62 April-June 2015 | Page 8

BEM NEWS INGENIEUR THE REGISTRATION OF ENGINEERS (AMENDMENT) ACT 2015 T he Registration of Engineers (Amendment) Act 2015 received Royal Assent on February 12, 2015 with February 24, 2015 as a date of publication in the Gazette. The Act will come into force on a date to be appointed by the Minister by notification in the Gazette. The passing of the amended Act is a milestone for the engineering profession in Malaysia as it marks the start of the liberalisation of engineering services. Various barriers against entry for foreign engineers and foreign firms will be lifted. In particular, this applies to countries which Malaysia has committed International Free Trade Agreements with, namely ASEAN countries, China, Australia, Republic of Korea, Chile, Pakistan, Japan, New Zealand and India. In reciprocity, these markets are expected to be open to Malaysian engineers and firms. The inclusion of the registration of Engineering Technologists and Inspectors of Works as part of the amendments to the Act, is to ensure quality of engineering works at all levels and phases. The Board will also introduce a new licensing system for Professional Engineers who wish to be Submitting Persons in the consultancy practice, by providing a new category of registration under 6 6 VOL 62 APRIL – JUNE 2015 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 the Act, i.e. Professional Engineer with Practising Certificate. Within one year after the Act comes into force, existing Professional Engineers must decide whether to maintain their registration as Professional Engineers or apply to be registered as Professional Engineers with a Practising Certificate. Existing Professional Engineers will be exempted from the Professional Competency Examination (PCE) provided that they apply for their Certificate within this one-year period. New Professional Engineers admitted after the Act comes into force will have to pass the PCE if they wish Ѽ