History of IEM

Extract from IEM website.

1. The story of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) begins with the nation’s independence. The Institution, born exactly 20 months after Merdeka – on May 1, 1959 has had a marked influence on the engineering profession in the country.


2. It has grown and matured with the nation and its people. It started out with only 60 members. Over the past two and a half decades, its membership has increased more than a hundred-fold to 15,700 today, making it the largest professional body in Malaysia.
   From its very inception, the IEM has identified and addressed itself to the needs and requirements of the country.


3. IEM has been fortunate in having the blessings and full encouragement of successive governments in power. Our nation’s founder father, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, and another great Malaysian leader, Tun Abdul Razak, had given much help and encouragement to the Institution in its formative years. The Tunku graced IEM’s inaugural dinner in 1960. His successor Tun Abdul Razak also took great interest. Our present Prime Minister, Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, has also taken an interest in the Institution’s development.


4. The close rapport between the IEM and the government has been strengthened over the years. The tangible result of the Government’s recogition of IEM was when it accepted IEM’s Corporate membership as entry qualification for certain posts in the civil service.
   The recognition was further reaffirmed with the implementation of the Engineers Act. Under the Act, IEM’s Corporate members are eligible to apply to the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) to be registered as Professional Engineers.


5. Besides gaining Government backing, IEM also received its first international recognition when it was admitted into the Commonwealth Engineering Conference in 1962.

Office Premises

1. In the early days the Institution had no building of its own and squatted on borrowed premises. In the first two years of its existence it operated from the homes of its office bearers. It acquired its permanent centre in 1976.


2. IEM’s permanent home at Bangunan Ingenieur helped boost its activities which include sports, seminars, field visits, filmshows, talks and conferences.


3. Past Leaders
   No history is complete without the people making it. Similarly, IEM has had numerous dedicated and selfless leaders and members who made many sacrifices to nurture and build up the Institution to what it is today – a proud symbol of all engineers in Malaysia.
   In its 25 years of existence, IEM has had the services of 15 Presidents. They represent various engineering disciplines.


4. The founder President was Allahyarham Ir. Tan Sri Yusoff Haji Ibrahim who served a four-year term. He was succeeded by another able leader, Allahyarham Ir. Raja Tan Sri Zainal bin Raja Suleiman, who was then the General Manager of LLN.


5. Twenty-four other Presidents came after him and each in his own way left an indelible mark on the IEM and shaped its destiny.


6. function
   The main function of the organisation is to encourage, support and
   promote the theory and practice of various engineering disciplines. Towards this end, it has organised various conferences both local and international, conducted numerous seminars, talks and forums.


7. Local and International Affiliations and Recognition
   Over the years, IEM has gained recognition not only locally but also internationally.
   At home the Institution is recognised as the main body representing a wide cross section of engineers. All Corporate members of IEM are eligible to be registered as Professional Engineers by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM).


8. IEM is an active member of several International Engineering Organisations. They include the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO), Commonwealth Engineers Council (CEC), Federation of Engineering Institutions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (FEISEAP), Association of Engineering Education of Southeast Asia (AEESEA), Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO).


9. The Institution is also represented on various local committees and organisations like Balai Iktisas Malaysia (BIM), SIRIM, World Energy Conference and many others.


10. Future Aspirations
    It is IEM’s fervent hope to see that engineers in the Malaysian society become leaders in their own chosen field as well as renowned, influential and highly respected group in society. This is, however, not the end of IEM story. The story of IEM is still unfolding and will continue to be developed and told for many more years to come...