KUCHING: Batu Kitang Assemblyman, Datuk Lo Khere Chiang, has raised serious concerns over the unsustainable conditions faced by Engineering Consultancy Practices (ECPs) in Sarawak, citing rising operational costs and stagnant fee structures as major challenges affecting the profession.
Highlighting the issue during the debate on the Motion of Appreciation for the Sarawak Governor’s Address at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting on Wednesday, Datuk Lo stressed that despite the continuous increase in operational expenses such as salaries, software, hardware, and insurance, the fee scale set by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) has remained unchanged.
He further expressed alarm over the growing trend of undercutting in tender submissions, with some firms offering discounts of up to 30 to 50 per cent below the official fee scale—practices that he said are devaluing the profession and threatening the long-term sustainability of local firms.
In response to these challenges, Datuk Lo put forward three key proposals aimed at reinforcing the professionalism and viability of ECPs in the state.
“Firstly, I propose that the BEM fee scale be made mandatory for all government projects to prevent unhealthy bargaining and unreasonable discounts.
“Secondly, Building Information Modelling (BIM) should not be treated as a free add-on. It requires significant expertise and investment, and should be compensated separately if utilised in a project.
“Thirdly, the cost of the Sarawak-Specific Professional Indemnity Insurance (SPII), which is burdensome particularly for smaller firms, should be borne by the client. This is because firms are already required to carry national-level insurance under BEM,” he explained.
Datuk Lo expressed confidence that by implementing these recommendations, the engineering sector in Sarawak could be revitalised, thereby encouraging more young Sarawakians to pursue careers in the profession.
He added that such measures would also help ensure that Sarawak’s development continues to be carried out with quality, sustainability, and integrity. -UKASnews
