On the 18th of November 2023, the prestigious Magellan Sutera Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, played host to the 19th ACES-ACEM Dialogue. Representatives from the Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore (ACES) and the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) gathered at Meeting Room 4, Level 1, for a day of insightful discussions and collaborative exchanges.
The distinguished attendees from ACEM included Ir. Chong Chew Fan, Ir. Anuar Mohd Aris, Ir Ahmad Rashidi Zainuddin, Ir. K. Sundraraj, Ir Ahmad Masyhur Jahaya, Ir. Amirul Hisham Hj Ismail, Ir. Aruljothy Pahavan, Ir Foo Kam Fai, Ir. Dr. Muhammad Arkam Che Munaim, Datuk Ir. Chin Shu Ying, Ir Wong Leong Teck, and Ms Wong Pek Yin. The ACES delegation comprised Er. Chuck Kho, Er. Alfred Neo, Er. Adeline Koh, Er. Yeow Mei Leng, Er. Teo Yann, Er. Ricky Chan, Er. Choong Choon Guan, Er. Gwee Siong Mong, Er. Jee Yi Tng, Er. Mak Swee Chiang, Er. Ng Han Siong, Er. Soh Kai Yea, Er. Jason Tan, Er. Chua Tong Seng, and Ms Lilian Lean.
The event commenced with a warm welcome address from both ACES and ACEM presidents, Er. Chuck Kho and Ir. Chong Chew Fan, emphasizing the importance of cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing in the engineering industry. ACES brought forth pertinent issues for discussion. Firstly, the challenge of attracting and retaining new talent in the consulting engineering field in Malaysia was addressed. The perception of consulting engineers in the country was also a focal point. Secondly, the minimum fee for consulting engineering in Malaysia took center stage, with discussions centered on ensuring a healthy and sustainable fee structure. Lastly, the market outlook for consulting engineers in Malaysia was explored, shedding light on the current trends and future prospects.
In turn, ACEM raised significant issues for discussion, delving into the Environmental, Social, and Government (ESG) initiatives and trends in ESG reporting within the Singapore consulting engineering industry. This demonstrated a commitment to addressing contemporary challenges and fostering sustainable practices within the industry.
An any other business session provided a platform for open discussion on issues of common interest, promoting a collaborative spirit among the professionals. The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment from both associations to continue these valuable exchanges, fostering stronger ties and promoting excellence in the consulting engineering profession. The 19th ACES-ACEM Dialogue proved to be a cornerstone event, driving the industry forward through shared insights and collaborative efforts across borders.
