weekly NOTEBOOK #45:4th July,1998
Kudos to Malaysian Engineers!!!
(This opinion of mine is a bit biased because I am one of them)

This month is a very historic month for Malaysian engineers. It is a recognition that was due a long long loooooong time ago.It is the accomplishments and contributions of Malaysian engineers in nation building.And last week,on the Saturday 27th.June,1998 a name was singled out by our Prime Minister for the successful completion and commisioning of our RM 9.0billion  Kuala Lumpur International Airport.He is YBhg. Tan Sri Dato' Ir Jamilus Husin,the managing director of KLIA Berhad.Congratulations to you Tan Sri Dato' Ir. Jamilus and your "dirty dozen"(and the rest of the team including those from JKR) for the courage and commitment to undertake such a prestigious project.It is also a history by itself where a Tan Sri was awarded 'on the spot' as far as I know.To me this is a symbolic "crowning" of all Malaysian engineers. This is a 9billion proofs that our local engineers are capable to deliver the goods if given the chance.
KITA BOLEH

By design or just bad luck,engineers are always in the background or backrows. Normally,the politicians and the administrative personnels are always in front and in the limelight,except when things go wrong.We engineers(including other technical personnels like architects, QS,surveyors etc.) are always in the back rows at any government functions. However,when I was a District Engineer in Kelantan and in Kedah,the DO's always put me in the front row at any functions.I don't know why,but one thing I am sure the DO fully understands that the Dickson sheds are provided and erected by PWD;-

LET US MOVE TO THE FRONT SEATS,IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG SITTING IN THE BACKROWS...

It is better late than never.Now,we engineers are officially recognised by the leadership of this country.In fact, our engineers played a very important role in building up the national infrastructure.Our elders,some had died and already retired,have contributed a lot to the Malaysian success story.It is our job to continue their good works.Only lately, due to the water crisis in Selangor that engineers have negative publicity.Every engineer knows that we are not the culprits,but who dares to speak up!Our water engineers are doing a thankless job to keep the taps running.Only when the taps run dry,then the public start looking who are behind all this.I hope some good will arise from this crisis.

Another historic event that did not  get adequate publicity is the visit by our Prime Minister to Kepong water treatment plant in Kuala Terengganu on the 12th. June,1998.This plant was recently awarded the best water treatment plant in Malaysia by the Malaysian Water Association.As far as I can remember,this is the first time our Prime Minister ever visited a water treatment plant.My congratulations to Ir. Haji Wan Ngah Ali and his team for a job well done.This is one of many contributions that we enginners have done and will continue doing  for the nation.I think the public should be made aware of rngineers' roles in the society if we want to be recognised.Any comment from BEM and IEM?

Actually our engineers  completed thousands of projects for the public every year since Merdeka.But the sad thing is how many people really know our roles in the planning,design, construction,operation and maintenance of the public works and utilities?Personally,I only met an engineer when I reported to work at PWD at the age of 23+ years old!It is the responsibility of everyone of us to inform and educate the public about our roles in society.For years,we complained  and blamed others for not doing it for us.Now ,it time we do it ourselves.Any volunteers?


LET'S VACATE THE BACKROWS NOW ...
                          AND MOVE TO THE FRONT SEATS....