| Summary: | At first glance, the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) appears to be a resounding success. Between 2009 and 2024, the number of engineers on its books more than tripled, soaring from approximately 66,000 to over 205,000. Yet, this impressive growth masks a critical weakness: the number of Professional Engineers (PEs), those with the coveted ‘Ir.’ title who are authorised to sign off on projects, has failed to keep pace, creating a bottleneck that could stifle national development.
Data culled from official reports and presentations reveal a widening gap. In 2009, BEM’s register contained 14,084 PEs and 52,350 graduate engineers (GEs). This meant roughly one in four registered engineers had completed the rigorous experience and examination requirements needed to use the ‘Ir.’ prefix. They were the seasoned professionals legally empowered to take ultimate responsibility for engineering works.
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