Wee: Mega projects, mega gains

Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong deliver his speech at the 58th Institution of Engineers Malaysia annual dinner in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: Engineers in Malaysia have been urged to take advantage of the opportunities from the RM144bil worth of projects inked by China, Saudi Arabia and India with the Malaysian Government.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that engineers have to make sure they, too, will benefit from the mega projects.

“There’s always mixed feelings among engineers on how the foreign direct investment will benefit them or the local community.

“We also often hear about the Belt and Road initiative or other mega projects carried out in other countries,” he said in his speech during the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) 58th Annual Dinner and Awards Night.

Dr Wee also urged IEM to link up engineers in Malaysia with its counterparts in other countries such as China and India, and ensure that they get maximum benefits from the Belt and Road initiative.

During the event, Dr Wee was conferred the Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) Distinguished Hono­rary Fellow Award, in recognition of his invaluable service to the development and progress of the nation and his support to the engineering profession and fraternity.

The award was presented to Dr Wee by IEM president Tan Yean Chin.

The AFEO award is granted upon persons of acknowledged eminence who have rendered outstanding service to the engineering profession and their respective countries within Asean.

Shell Projects and Technology Malaysia was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award for its Malikai Deepwater Tension Leg Platform Project, the country’s first tension leg platform, a floating oil production facility moored to the seabed 500m underwater.

Eco World Development Group Bhd, Ekovest Bhd, Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd and IJM-JAKS Joint Venture each received the IEM Award for Contribution to Engineering Industry in Malaysia in their respective fields.

The night also saw 36 top engineering students across the country receiving the IEM Gold Medal Award.