KIX2005: Law, Ethics & Sustainability

for Engineers

Week 2

University of Malaya
Ir. Dr.-Ing Narendra Kumar
 Introduction
• Engineering impacts public safety, economic
development and daily life.
• Therefore, legal and ethical frameworks are
necessary to ensure responsible practice.
 Importance of Law and Ethics
• Law ensures engineers work within a
regulated and accountable system.
• Ethics guides engineers to act fairly,
responsibly and honestly.
 What is Engineering Law?
• Engineering law outlines the rules governing
engineering activities and professional
responsibilities.
• It protects the public and ensures safe and
qualified engineering practice.
Registration of Engineers Act 1967
(REA)
• REA regulates the engineering profession in
Malaysia.
• Only registered individuals may practice
engineering legally.
 Objectives of REA
• Ensure engineering services are provided by
competent professionals.
• Protect public welfare, safety and national
interests.
Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
• BEM is the statutory body responsible for
regulating engineering practice.
• It handles registration, discipline, and
professional development requirements.
 Categories of Registration
• Graduate Engineer (GE) – entry level after
completing accredited degree.
• Professional Engineer (PE / Ir.) – recognized
professional competency certification.
 Professional Engineer with
Practicing Certificate (PEPC)
• PEPC holders are permitted to sign and
approve final engineering designs.
• They bear legal responsibility for engineering
decisions.
 Requirements for Graduate
Engineer Registration
• Must possess an accredited engineering
degree recognised by BEM.
• Must apply for registration before engaging in
engineering work.
 Professional Engineer Pathway
• Complete minimum years of supervised
training.
• Prepare logbooks and competency
documentation.
• Sit for and pass the Professional Interview (PI).
 Professional Interview (PI)
• Assesses communication, design competency
and ethical awareness.
• Ensures readiness for independent
engineering practice.
 Continuing Professional
Development (CPD)
• Engineers must continually upgrade skills and
knowledge.
• Attending workshops, research involvement,
training and certification is encouraged.
 Engineering Consultancy Practice
Registration
• Firms offering engineering services must
register with BEM.
• At least one PEPC must be a partner/director
in the firm.
 Unlawful Engineering Practice
• Practicing engineering without registration is a
criminal offense.
• Penalties include fines and possible
imprisonment.
 Code of Professional Conduct
• Defines ethical standards engineers must
follow.
• Ensures integrity, honesty and professionalism
in engineering work.
 Responsibility to Society
• Engineers must prioritize the safety, health,
and welfare of the public.
• Public interest outweighs personal or
corporate interests.
 Responsibility to Employer/Client
• Engineers must provide accurate, competent
and honest services.
• Confidential or sensitive information must be
protected.
 Responsibility to the Engineering
Profession
• Engineers must uphold the good name and
dignity of the profession.
• They should avoid misconduct or actions that
discredit engineering.
 Conflict of Interest
• Any personal interest that may affect
professional judgement must be disclosed.
• Engineers should avoid situations where
objectivity is compromised.
 Bribery and Corruption
• Accepting or giving bribes is unethical and
illegal.
• Corruption threatens public safety and
damages the profession's reputation.
 Competence and Professional
Responsibility
• Engineers must only undertake work they are
qualified to perform.
• Responsibility includes verifying accuracy,
safety and compliance.
 Confidentiality in Engineering
Practice
• Sensitive design information should remain
confidential.
• Exceptions apply only when public safety is at
risk.
 Public Statements and
Representation
• Engineers must present statements based on
facts, data and evidence.
• They must avoid misleading the public.
 Professional Courtesy
• Engineers should treat colleagues respectfully
and fairly.
• They should avoid unfair criticism or
unprofessional behavior.
 Whistleblowing and Protection
• Engineers must report unethical or unsafe
practices.
• Whistleblowers are protected under
Malaysian law.
 Ethics and Decision-Making
• Ethical decisions require evaluation of
consequences and responsibilities.
• Engineers should reflect on stakeholders
affected by their actions.
 Steps for Ethical Decision-Making
• Identify the ethical issue.
• Review applicable laws and professional
codes.
• Consider possible consequences for all
stakeholders.
• Choose the most ethical and responsible
action.
 Case Study 1: Highland Towers
Collapse (1993)
• Caused by slope failure and insufficient
drainage maintenance.
• Highlights the importance of structural
monitoring and responsibility.
 Lessons from Highland Towers
• Neglecting risk assessments can lead to
catastrophic failure.
• Public safety must be prioritized over
construction cost savings.
 Case Study 2: Sultan Mizan
Stadium Roof Collapse (2009)
• Structural failure linked to poor workmanship
and oversight.
• Demonstrates the need for proper review and
supervision.
 Case Study 3: Fukushima Nuclear
Disaster (2011)
• Design assumptions underestimated risk of
natural disaster.
• Engineering decisions must consider worst-
case scenarios.
 Engineering and Sustainability
• Sustainability ensures long-term safety,
resource conservation and environmental
protection.
• Engineers must adopt responsible and
environmentally friendly practices.
 Principles of Sustainable
Engineering
• Minimize environmental impact.
• Use energy and materials efficiently.
• Promote renewable and recyclable resources.
 United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA)
• EIA evaluates environmental risks before
project implementation.
• Ensures potential negative impacts are
identified and reduced.
 Green Building Standards
• Green buildings aim to reduce resource
consumption and pollution.
• Malaysia promotes sustainability through
GreenRE and GBI initiatives.
 ISO Standards Related to
Sustainability
• ISO 14001: Environmental Management.
• ISO 50001: Energy Management Systems.
 Ethics in Emerging Technologies
• New technologies such as AI, drones and
biotechnology pose new ethical challenges.
• Engineers must anticipate societal
implications of innovation.
 Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
• AI systems must be transparent, fair and
unbiased.
• Engineers must avoid unethical use of data.
 Cybersecurity in Engineering
• Technological systems must protect personal
and operational data.
• Data breaches may compromise security and
safety.
 Sustainable Infrastructure
Development
• Infrastructure must be durable, resilient and
maintainable.
• Planning should consider environmental and
community impact.
 Climate Change and Engineering
Responsibility
• Engineering choices influence carbon
emissions and resource use.
• Engineers must support climate-conscious
solutions.
 Circular Economy in Engineering
• Promotes reuse, recycling and reduction of
waste materials.
• Supports long-term environmental and
economic sustainability.
 Risk Management in Engineering
Projects
• Risk assessment ensures potential hazards are
identified early.
• Engineers must implement preventive and
mitigation strategies.
 Safety Culture in Engineering
• Safety must be integrated into all engineering
activities.
• Engineers must report hazards immediately
and correct unsafe conditions.
 Engineering Contracts and Legal
Liability
• Engineers are legally accountable for the
quality and safety of their work.
• Contract terms define responsibilities and
liability limits.
 Professional Negligence
• Negligence occurs when engineers fail to
exercise appropriate professional care.
• It may result in disciplinary or legal action.
 Ethical Leadership in Engineering
• Engineering leaders must promote ethical
culture and responsible decision-making.
• They set the tone for junior engineers and
project teams.
 Workshop Activity 1
• Identify potential ethical dilemmas in a real
engineering project.
• Discuss how to resolve them using ethical
principles.
 Workshop Activity 2 (Role Play)
• Roles: Client requesting cost reduction vs.
Engineer prioritizing safety.
• Negotiate and justify ethical choices.
 Assessment Task
• Write a 300–400 word reflection on the
importance of ethics in engineering practice.
• Submit to LMS by the end of the week.
 Summary
• Law ensures engineers practice safely and
responsibly.
• Ethics strengthens trust, integrity and
professional reputation.
• Sustainability supports long-term social and
environmental health.