The ACEM Forum 2025, held on Thursday, 17 April at Hotel Armada Petaling Jaya, brought together an impressive turnout of consulting engineers, firm principals, regulators, and professionals from across the industry. This year’s forum marked one of the highest post-pandemic engagements for ACEM—a clear sign of the growing appetite for real dialogue and shared reflection within our professional community.

Organised as a platform for members to stay abreast of current issues, share feedback, and connect meaningfully with fellow practitioners, the ACEM Forum continues to serve as a vital touchpoint in the Association’s annual calendar. This year’s event carried added weight, not only for the range of topics presented but also for the candid and thought-provoking discussions that followed.

A Programme That Reflected Real Challenges

The forum began with welcome remarks from ACEM, setting the tone for a half-day programme that focused on practical applications, business realities, and regulatory frameworks shaping today’s engineering consultancy landscape.

The first session, led by Ir. Alvin Ang Cheng Hin of T.Y. Lin International Sdn Bhd, explored the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) from design to construction and through to building management. His insights underscored both the benefits and the operational complexities of BIM integration, especially for firms trying to balance digital transformation with tight project margins.

Next, Ir. Amin Ramli, Managing Director of Straits Consulting Engineers and ACEM Council Member, presented findings from the ACEM Salary Survey 2024. The data provided a much-needed benchmarking reference across various firm sizes and roles, while also prompting conversations about the escalating cost of talent retention and how firm location, project exposure, and qualifications impact salary levels across the sector.

After the morning tea break, Ir. Shah Izzni Talif b. Mohd Adnan of RPM Engineers took the stage with a practical and engaging session on Large Language Models (LLMs) and ChatGPT. His presentation demystified AI for the consulting engineering audience and demonstrated real-life use cases of how generative AI can support workflows, reduce drafting time, and even assist with proposal writing and project documentation. However, the discussion also raised valid concerns about quality control, data privacy, and the potential long-term impact of AI on professional practice.

The final presentation was delivered by Ir. Dr. Mohd Fairuz Ab Rahman from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (DOSH), who provided an introduction to the Construction Design and Management (CDM) framework and the role of Principal and Coordinating Designers (PCWD/CWD). As Malaysia transitions towards a more structured and safety-oriented project environment, the insights from DOSH were particularly relevant for consulting engineers assuming increased accountability under these new roles.

A Common Thread: The Rising Cost of Doing Business

While the sessions touched on different domains—digital technology, regulatory compliance, AI adoption, and workforce dynamics—a unifying theme emerged: the rising cost of doing business in the consulting engineering industry.

Firms today are navigating increasingly complex operating conditions. Adopting technology like BIM or AI demands investment—not just in software, but in training, systems integration, and continuous adaptation. At the same time, regulatory expectations are growing, requiring more robust documentation, risk assessments, and compliance measures. And all of this comes as the cost of talent continues to climb, with firms competing not only with one another but with regional and international markets for skilled engineers.

Attendees expressed concerns over the cumulative pressure these trends place on consulting firms, particularly small- and medium-sized practices. The discussions that followed each presentation were lively yet grounded, reflecting a shared sense of urgency and a desire for collaborative solutions.

ACEM’s Role: Advocating, Aligning, and Amplifying

Beyond just providing a knowledge-sharing platform, the forum also gave attendees clearer visibility into ACEM’s ongoing role as an advocate and industry voice.

Throughout the event, it became evident that many of the challenges raised—rising salary expectations, regulatory burdens, and digital transformation costs—cannot be addressed in isolation by individual firms. These issues require sector-wide awareness and collective representation—and that is where ACEM continues to play a pivotal role.

Participants learned more about how ACEM has been actively engaging with key stakeholders such as the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), and various local stakeholders, highlighting the ground realities of engineering consultancy practice and working to align regulations and policies with industry capabilities.

In particular, the Salary Survey provided tangible evidence to support ACEM’s advocacy on fair remuneration and fee structures, while the engagement with DOSH on CDM roles demonstrates the Association’s commitment to ensuring that regulatory changes are well understood and effectively implemented.

As one council member remarked during the session, “We cannot just react to industry change—we need to shape it. That is why ACEM’s engagement with policymakers is not just important, it is essential.”

Looking Ahead: A Stronger, More Informed Profession

The 2025 Forum was more than a series of presentations—it was a collective check-in for the consulting engineering fraternity. It reminded us that while challenges are real, so too is the strength of our professional network. The event reinforced the idea that our shared voice—through ACEM—can help influence the direction of the profession, ensure our realities are heard, and build a more sustainable future for engineering consultancy in Malaysia.

The ACEM Secretariat would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all speakers, participants, and volunteers who helped make the Forum a success. We hope that this event has inspired greater awareness, dialogue, and action—and we look forward to seeing even more members at our upcoming programmes in 2025.