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KUALA LUMPUR: The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) has objected contentious proposed amendments to the Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Act 1981 (VAEA Act 1981) on the basis that it would exclude engineers from practicing building and facilities management, which required a high level of skill and training.
In a statement dated Thursday, Oct 7, IEM argued that property management was a "multi-disciplinary professional occupation" that involved various fields including engineering, architecture, law and project accounting.
"Property management is directly related to public safety and living quality of an indoor environment in particular in the case of a shopping mall or public building. Specialised knowledge and training are required to ensure smooth operation and running of the facilities, and hence it requires no less than a qualified person with engineering technical expertise, among others," it said.
The institution noted that highly-qualified professionals had to undergo relevant competency assessments and training before they were allowed to practice, especially in hotels and hospitals with life-saving equipment.
"Public safety and human lives could be compromised should there be a lack of care in these matters," it said.
It also objected to the amendments as it would stop various types of professionals, especially engineering technical experts, from directly engaging in building and facilities management.
"The only option for these existing group of practicing practitioners would be to go under employment of a registered valuer who may or may not be trained to carry out any technical undertaking," it said.
The proposed amendments to the Act includes expanding the scope of the definition of a "property manager" to include "facilities manager", "building manager", "maintenance manager" and "maintenance agent".
In a press conference on Sept 29, the Building Management Association Malaysia (BMAM) had also strongly disaproved the proposed amendments, arguing that it would allow registered valuers to monopolise the property management business and take away the rights of property owners and joint-owners to appoint their own property managers.
IEM is a member association of BMAM.
In a statement dated Thursday, Oct 7, IEM argued that property management was a "multi-disciplinary professional occupation" that involved various fields including engineering, architecture, law and project accounting.
"Property management is directly related to public safety and living quality of an indoor environment in particular in the case of a shopping mall or public building. Specialised knowledge and training are required to ensure smooth operation and running of the facilities, and hence it requires no less than a qualified person with engineering technical expertise, among others," it said.
The institution noted that highly-qualified professionals had to undergo relevant competency assessments and training before they were allowed to practice, especially in hotels and hospitals with life-saving equipment.
"Public safety and human lives could be compromised should there be a lack of care in these matters," it said.
It also objected to the amendments as it would stop various types of professionals, especially engineering technical experts, from directly engaging in building and facilities management.
"The only option for these existing group of practicing practitioners would be to go under employment of a registered valuer who may or may not be trained to carry out any technical undertaking," it said.
The proposed amendments to the Act includes expanding the scope of the definition of a "property manager" to include "facilities manager", "building manager", "maintenance manager" and "maintenance agent".
In a press conference on Sept 29, the Building Management Association Malaysia (BMAM) had also strongly disaproved the proposed amendments, arguing that it would allow registered valuers to monopolise the property management business and take away the rights of property owners and joint-owners to appoint their own property managers.
IEM is a member association of BMAM.
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