It gives me great pleasure to welcome all engineers, students, educators, industry partners, and members of the public to the BEM Roadshow and Open Day in Sabah and Sarawak. Following the successful National Engineering Convention (NEC) 2026 held in August, this event continues our commitment to bring the work of BEM closer to the people, ensuring that our role as the national regulator of the engineering profession is understood, accessible, and impactful across all regions of Malaysia.

The BEM Roadshow is designed with clear objectives that reflect our vision for a progressive, competent, and globally recognised engineering profession. First and foremost, the roadshow seeks to enhance professional knowledge by equipping participants with the latest updates on engineering regulations, registration requirements, competency examinations, and international professional recognition frameworks. This ensures that our professionals remain well-informed and competitive at both national and international levels.

Secondly, we aim to promote global opportunities by providing valuable insights into how Malaysian engineers can expand their services internationally. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and Malaysian expertise is highly sought after. By highlighting both opportunities and challenges in the global market, we hope to empower our professionals to confidently take their place on the international stage.

Another key focus is to strengthen compliance and standards. Through this platform, we will educate engineers on legal requirements, construction design management (CDM) principles, and best practices to ensure safety, sustainability, and compliance with state and national regulations. This is central to safeguarding the public interest and maintaining the trust placed in our profession. At the same time, BEM is addressing a pressing national concern: the low number of Accredited Checkers. By providing targeted, practical training and mentoring, we intend to significantly increase the pool of Accredited Checkers. This initiative supports the Ministry’s call to action and ensures that we have a sufficient number of competent professionals to uphold quality and safety standards in engineering design and construction.

Finally, the roadshow is about people. We are here to foster professional networking, creating a space where engineers, technologists, inspectors of works, regulators, and industry leaders can share experiences, build collaborations, and strengthen the fabric of our profession.

Complementing the Roadshow is the BEM Open Day 2026, which is dedicated to engaging the wider community. A two-day registration drive will be conducted for non-registered persons to encourage immediate online registration with BEM. We are also reaching out to school students, teachers, and parents to promote STEM and inspire the next generation of engineers. By engaging early, we can help cultivate the innovators and problem-solvers who will drive Malaysia’s growth.

For students in institutions of higher learning, the Open Day will provide career guidance, motivational sharing from industry leaders, and even a hackathon to sharpen problem-solving and innovation skills. We believe this exposure will prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the engineering profession.

BEM established its branches in Sabah and Sarawak because we believe it is essential to be close to our stakeholders across Malaysia. This Roadshow and Open Day embodies that spirit, and I invite all of you to participate actively, learn, and connect with us. Together, let us continue to strengthen the engineering profession for the future of Malaysia.