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.
 Summary
• Law ensures engineers practice safely and
responsibly.
• Ethics strengthens trust, integrity and
professional reputation.
• Sustainability supports long-term social and
environmental health.
 Question 1
The Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (REA) requires all
practicing engineers to be registered with the Board of
Engineers Malaysia (BEM). Explain the rationale behind this
requirement. Discuss how this legal framework ensures public
safety, professional accountability, and ethical engineering
practice.
In your answer, include:
• The role of BEM in regulating engineering practice
• The consequences of unauthorized engineering work
• Why public safety must outweigh client or commercial
interests
Your response should demonstrate critical understanding and
real examples where appropriate.
 Question 2
A civil engineering firm proposes to use alternative building materials
that are cheaper but have lower durability to reduce project costs. The
client agrees because it increases short-term profit. However, the
engineer in charge is concerned about long-term structural safety,
especially under extreme weather conditions.
• Discuss this situation as an ethical dilemma.
Your answer should:
• Identify the conflicting interests and stakeholders
• Apply the Code of Professional Conduct to justify the correct
professional action
• Explain the potential legal and moral consequences of choosing the
cheaper material
• Conclude with a well-reasoned ethical decision and justification
 Question 3
Engineering decisions have long-lasting environmental and
social impacts. Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) and the principles of Sustainable Engineering, explain
how engineers can integrate sustainability into project
planning, design, and development.
Your answer should cover:
• Examples of environmentally responsible engineering
practices
• How Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) support
sustainable outcomes
• Why sustainability is both a technical and ethical
responsibility for engineers