New Regulations For Engineers And Architects, Says Samy Vellu
Bernama.com 29/6/2004

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has announced plans for a new set of regulations to enable engineers and architects to certify completed buildings or housing projects in place of the current practice of issuing certificates of fitness (CFs).

A meeting to discuss the issue will be held next week with the Malaysian Institute of Architects, Board of Architects Malaysia, Board of Engineers Malaysia, Institution of Engineers Malaysia, and Institution of Quantity Surveyors.

After the new regulations, the architects and engineers would be informed of their respective responsibilities pertaining to completed buildings, he told reporters.

Four days ago Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wanted a study be carried out on the possibility of doing away with the CF for a completed building and replacing it with certification by the engineer and architect involved.

Earlier, Samy Vellu presented excellent service awards to 627 ministry staff.

The new regulations, he said, would be a guideline on the responsibility of engineers and architects involved in public or private sector projects.

If they abused their responsibilities, they could have their licences revoked, he said.

Asked on whether his ministry would get new projects with the topping up of development allocation by RM10 billion to RM170 billion under the Eighth Malaysia Plan, Samy Vellu said the ministry would wait for the list of projects from the Finance Ministry.

-- BERNAMA