Professional Interview Question 8

Engineers are often entrusted with the responsibility of implementing

large scale project involving millions of Ringgit. In view of the large
amount of money changing hands, the integrity and ethical standards
of engineers are being put to test. What measures can an engineer take
to prevent corruption and unethical practice of cutting corners in order
to safeguard the good image of the engineering profession?

Engineers in Society
(ECC589)

Muhammad Zulfadzil Mohammed Rodzi 2014651574

Wan Mohamad Muizuddin Wan Hanif 2014458284
Yves Anak Lemat 2014869794

19 April 2017
1.0 Introduction

Engineering is one of the most challenging professions available to the date, along
with other professions that process quite a huge amount of responsibility such as
architects, doctors, etc. In Civil Engineering, the professional personnel involves in
construction and development at various levels and stages, which might land them in a
different challenge on daily basis.

It is well known in the society that engineering could be a remunerative

profession, in which, it is actually a compensatory payment to the personnel who are
willing to bear a massive risk that appears. In construction industry, civil engineers are
commonly entrusted with the responsibility of executing large-scale projects involving
millions of Ringgits. As a result, the integrity and ethical standards of engineers are
seriously being put into test. Hence, as professional person in the construction
industry, one shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity,
and dignity of the engineering profession and shall practice zero tolerance for bribery,
fraud, and corruption.

For instance, the collapse of pedestrian bridge near Mid Valley Megamall (Kuala
Lumpur) in November 2016 sparks the publics doubt against the professionalism and
qualification of local construction industry. Furthermore, delays of completion of
governmental projects such as a mini-Hydroelectric dam in Sungai Kelame (Long San,
Ulu Baram) is also causing people to loose trust in Public Works Departments and
Sarawak Energy Berhads capability of delivering their basic necessities. These cases
have resulted a bad perception among the public about the ethical behavior,
competency and responsibility of engineers and other related professionals in the
industry.

The good and responsible actions are much needed from engineers for the
sustainability, advancement of the engineering profession and good prospect to those
involved in the career. Moreover, in the following section of this essay, we would like
to discuss the necessary measures that an engineer could adopt to prevent corruption
and unethical practices of cutting corners in order to safeguard the good image of the
engineering profession in the country.

2.0 Preventing Corruption

2.1 Liability of Employed Engineers

It is crucial to ensure that all civil engineers working in Malaysia are well versed
with the rules and regulations related to their practices and registration such as the
Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Act 138). Section 15 (1) of the Act 138 stipulates
that an engineer can be suspended and cancelled his/her registration with the board if
one is found guilty of convicting any offense by offering and accepting illicit
commissions [Section 15 (1)(b)] and involving with dishonesty and fraud practices
[Section 15 (1)(a)].

In addition to Registration of Engineers Act, Street, Drainage and Building Act

1974 (Act 133), Uniform Building Bylaws 1984, Occupational Safety and Health Act
1994, is intended to facilitate the engineers in conducting their duties and
collaborating with all parties confidently. All these acts are not restricting prospect and
performance of engineers; instead they are useful as references to safeguard the good
image of the engineering profession and construction industry.

2.2 Professionally Delivering Own Expertise

Engineering is an important profession which deals with the works that has a
direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Engineers are expected to
show the highest standards of honesty and integrity when performing their works.
Every decision made by an engineer must be based on the moral value not only his
self-interests.

IEM Regulations of Professional Conduct are written rules and principles for
members to conduct themselves in ethical and morale manner when satisfying their
duties and carrying their works. Engineers shall follow generally accepted, but not
burdening work procedure, to prevent possible occurring of unethical behaviour and
bribery.

For instance, site engineers may inform head office, after reporting to project
manager, about the much needed construction material at project and also may attend
to new product presentation from salesperson. However, the quotation, purchase
order, invoice and payment method shall be followed by others and colleagues from
relevant department such as purchasing department.

For site engineers, he shall inform and request the presence of resident
engineer or clerk of works, who are normally act on behalf of consulting engineer and
project owners when there are testing works. For instance, it is advised that presence
of third party engineer (not from contractor) to witness the preparation of concrete
cube, cube test work, piling works, early setup and reading of gauging instrument for
Maintain Load Test, etc. This work procedure and request could prevent unethical
behaviour due to conflicts of interest. In other works, people to execute the works, the
person to certify the results or quality and the party to make the payment are
recommended not the same individual.

With the above work procedures, pay master and certifying parties of different
parties could avoid unethical and corruption.

2.3 Be A Diligent Engineer

An engineer shall be open-minded and transparent when discharging his

responsibility with other professional counterpart and project owners.
For instance, if the engineer is the one that project owner rely mostly for advice of
award of contract; he shall be well versed about the tender document and
specification. Then, he subsequently makes fair evaluation including assessment to
possible counter proposal from all aspect such as specification, completion period,
capability and price to meet clients requirement.

Such open-minded and transparent situation could be promoted by conducting

tender interview with presence of project owner; members of the consultancy team
and allow queries and presentation by all bidders. All discipline of the consultant
team members to take care their respective technical roles.
 With open mind set, check and compare all proposal and options in transparent
situation, without stick or keen to one, the best decision can be made and unethical
behaviour avoided.

2.4 Teamwork

Engineering works often involve millions of ringgits. Hence, it is promoted

decision made by a group of members of all relevant discipline and stakeholders via
situation at sub-subject c). Being at transparent situation, conflict of interest could
not easily be hidden and unethical behaviour can be prevented.

2.5 Abstain From Power Abuse

Abuse of authority could be prevented with practice as per earlier sub-subject c)

especially for conventional contract. In addition, engineer should report in writing
about conflict of interest to client. It is even more appropriate if he reject appointment
as consulting engineer for the same project if he have substantial stake of the
contracting or supplier firm and keen to bid for the contract. By choosing whether to
work as consulting engineer and contractor only, we could avoid conflict of interests
and unethical behaviour.

2.6 Conduct Routine Inspection And Check

The professional engineer, though with his appointed representative at site, shall
also conduct spot check or inspection to site. Inspections are a way of systematically
checking that you are working environment and procedures are meeting the required
standards. An inspection should identify hazards and be your first step in introducing
measures to improve conditions.

If possible, the inspection shall be periodical. Engineer shall read and check the
site dairy and record too. Spot check and periodical inspection to site are important
because if they are carried out effectively, they allow you to identify and remedy
problems before they become more serious or result in an incident or accident. Thus
work quality can be achieved and unethical conduct could be prevented at site. The
frequency of inspections will depend on the nature of the work. Inspections may be
less often, for example, if the work environment is low risk like in a predominantly
administrative office. But if there are certain areas of a workplace or specific
activities that are high risk or changing rapidly, more frequent inspection may be
justified, especially on a construction project.

2.7 Auditing Work

An engineer shall be aware and open that his works can be reviewed and audited
if requested by project owners. Internally, there shall be a superior or employer
supervising his works. Internal control is broadly defined as a process, affected by an
entity's board of directors, management and other personnel, designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following
categories: effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reliability of financial reporting
and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Hence, he shall not accept
bribery or be involved in unethical behaviour in any manner.
 Internal controls should not be thought of as "static." They are a dynamic and
fluid set of tools which evolve over time as the business, technology and fraud
environment changes in response to competition, industry practices, legislation,
regulation and current economic conditions.

While no company, even with the strongest internal controls, is immune from
fraud, strengthening internal control policies, processes and procedures definitely
makes companies a less attractive target to both internal and external criminals
seeking to exploit internal control weaknesses.

Strengthening internal controls is seldom accomplished by enhancing one

process; rather it involves a comprehensive review of the risks faced, the existing
internal controls already in place and their adequacy in preventing fraud from
occurring. An internal control review may be conducted corporate-wide or on a
location by location basis, or broken down to the individual business unit level.
Generally, a review of this nature involves an in depth examination of people,
processes and technology. However, there are other intangibles your organization can
not afford to overlook.

2.8 Practice Zero Tolerance To Corruption

Engineer shall report immediately of unethical behaviour and corruption to

Board of Engineers, Malaysia, Institution of Engineers Malaysia and Association of
Consulting Engineers for unethical behaviour. For bribery and corruption, the case
shall be report to Anti-corruption agency.

This includes acting with integrity by being honest and only uses the resources
and the time of the Organization for official purposes and never for personal gain or
benefit. Do not be tempted by opportunity, yield to pressure or attempt to rationalize
fraudulent activity. Managers and supervisors need to foster a culture of integrity, set
the tone for ethical behaviour, led by example, advocate that fraud and corruption
cheat our stakeholders and partners and sometimes even our co-workers and make it
clear that the Organization has zero tolerance for fraud and corruption. An engineer
should also need to be vigilant and report any behaviour or set of circumstances that
are unusual in nature or vary from the normal activity as this may be an indicator that
something is wrong.

2.9 Continuing Professional Development

All engineers shall strike for excellence for their works. In order to strike for
excellence, engineers shall always continue study and follow the latest development of
technology relevant to their field of works and others. With continuing self-
improvement, engineers could become more competent when discharging their duties.
When an engineer or any person became more competent, he does not rely to not
morale and not ethical actions.

We could become more competent by joining the Institution of Engineers

Malaysia, where we could take part in seminars, talks, discussions. We could meet
other fellow engineers, exchange view, and share our work experience and ideas. By
becoming more competent, we do not need unethical practice of corruption.
3.0 Conclusion

Engineers play significant role in developing the nation. Almost all mega
projects that are needed to put our nation into developed conditions need engineers.
Therefore, engineers shall have ethical behaviour which is much anticipated to
contribute to healthy and competent work culture while contributing to the physical
and hardware aspect.