Professional Field

THE CODE OF ETHICS BY INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MALAYSIA

The profession must be recognized in the community for:

1.    its skill in using technical expertise for the enhancement of human welfare;
2.   its loyalty to the community, to employers and clients;
3.   its honesty and impartiality in professional practice.

The Code of Ethics states:

   ... members are required to order their  conduct in accordance with the principle that,   in any conflict between a member's personal interest and fair and honest dealing with other members of the Community, his duty to the Community must prevail.

The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM), primary role is to cover all major disciplines of engineering practiced in Malaysia. It is governed by Constitution and by-laws which include the regulation of professional conduct. It is being managed by a Council which consists of elected members. The Council will delegate the day to day management of the Institution to an Executive Committee which oversees six standing committees on finance, admissions, examination & qualification, publication, activities and professional practice.

The principal duties of the Standing Committee on Professional Practice are as follows:-

a)      To review, co-ordinate and formulate policies on all aspect of professional practice among members of the Institution including the conduct, ethics, discipline and good technical practice.

b)      To liaise with other professional bodies, public and statutory authorities

c)       To examine and report to the Executive Committee on any complaint made against a member of the Institution.

Under the Section 15 of the Engineers’ Act 1967, the Board may order the cancellation of the registration of any engineer, if:

1. He is guilty of fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude;
2. The accepts of illicit commission;
3. Failed to disclose to his/her client any vested financial interest in dealings with the client.

 There are other grounds for de-registration but these are not related to ethics.

                

ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MALAYSIA (ACEM)

The ACEM is a non-profit limited company, incorporated under the Companies’ Act in 1963. The main objective of ACEM is to promote the interests of all Consulting Engineers and Consulting Engineering as a profession. The philosophy of ACEM is that the members should uphold high principles and established themselves as an elite group of unbiased professional engineers who can be trusted to give independent and unbiased professional advice which is completely unfettered by the possibility of conflicts of interest arising due to a Consulting Engineer’s excessive involvement in business or other commercial ventures, especially with his/her nature of work.

COMPLEMENTARY FUNCTIONS OF IEM, BEM & ACEM CODE OF ETHICS

The three major Professional Engineering bodies to which engineers may be affiliated are:

1. The Board of Engineers (BEM), which is a statutory body governed by the Engineer’s Act 1967 and with which an Engineer must registered before he/she can be employed or practise as an Engineer.
2. The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM). which is a learned society registered under the Society’s Act. Membership is voluntary but the professional standards set by IEM for membership are accepted by BEM as qualifications for registration as a Professional Engineer (PE). Most PE are IEM members.
3. The Association of Consulting Engineers, Malaysia (ACEM), is a non-profit organisation comprising of Consulting Engineers. Its objective is to promote the interest of Consulting Engineering as a profession.

All the three bodies have their own Code of Ethics designed too suit their specific requirement according to the objectives of each body constituted. BEM Code of Professional Conduct is amenable and has clear interpretation because of its legal connotations and would be enforceable in law. Issues of morality and philosophy would be ineffective in law since it is impossible to legislate moral or philosophical principles. Therefore, the BEM code can distinguished between legal and illegal cases. BEM lays down minimum baseline rules which are enforceable in law and must be observed by all engineers registered under the Engineer’s Act.

The IEM Regulations on Professional Conduct tend to be general because IEM members comprise of various engineering disciplines, as well as types of professional employment and businesses. IEM Code embraces many areas involving moral and philosophical considerations including public safety & health, conservation of resources & environment, upgrading of technology, engineers responsibility and the conduct of affairs between Engineer and employees, clients and peers. There is a provision in the IEM by-laws that disciplinary cases are referred to BEM for appropriate action.

The ACEM Code is designed to order conduct of Consulting Engineers in areas like advertising and promotion of works, fees and other remuneration, competition with other members, submission of bids or proposals and related subject. ACEM members are bound to observe the Codes of both BEM and IEM (if they are also IEM members) and details rules to govern the conduct of Consulting Engineer’s business. The ACEM Code is designed to maintain strict discipline amongst their members to ensure that they maintain their independent professional status without excessive commercial involvement which may give rise to conflict of interest.

Note : Adopted from IEM Website