Post by : Shakul

The Malaysian government is moving ahead with a long-awaited review of the Engineers Scale of Fees to ensure professional engineering services are fairly compensated under today's economic conditions. The revised framework is expected to replace fee regulations that have remained largely unchanged since 1998.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the final amendments have already been submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers for legal review before they are officially gazetted under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967. The updated regulations aim to establish a more sustainable payment structure for engineering consultancy firms.

New Fee Benchmark Planned

Under the proposed reforms, the existing maximum fee structure will be replaced with a minimum professional fee benchmark. Officials believe the move will encourage fair competition while protecting engineering standards and improving the long-term sustainability of consultancy businesses.

Government estimates indicate that consultancy fees for a physical development project worth RM200 million could increase by approximately 9.23 percent once the revised regulations come into force.

Why Is Malaysia Revising Engineers' Fees?

The review is intended to ensure engineers receive professional remuneration that reflects current market conditions and increasing operational costs. Authorities also want to discourage unhealthy price competition that may reduce service quality and affect infrastructure safety.

The revised fee structure is expected to become mandatory for engineering professionals and consultancy firms working on both government and private-sector projects after it is officially gazetted.

Engineering Workforce Remains Strong

According to Ahmad Maslan, Malaysia currently has more than 276,000 registered engineering professionals, including graduate engineers, engineering technologists, inspectors of works and professional engineers.

The government believes the current workforce is sufficient to support future infrastructure projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan. However, officials warned that outdated consultancy fees could discourage talent and weaken the industry's long-term competitiveness.

Industry Faces Growing Responsibilities

Engineering consultancy firms are now expected to meet higher technical and regulatory standards than before. The revised fee structure also reflects the industry's growing responsibilities, including the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital engineering practices and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance.

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Officials believe stronger financial support for consultancy firms will help maintain engineering quality while improving project safety and efficiency across Malaysia.

What Happens Next?

The Attorney General's Chambers is currently reviewing the proposed amendments before they are gazetted into law. Once approved, the revised Engineers Scale of Fees will become the new national benchmark for professional engineering consultancy services.

Industry stakeholders expect the changes to improve professional standards, strengthen consultancy firms and support the delivery of safer, higher-quality infrastructure projects.

Malaysian Government Focuses on Sustainable Engineering

The government says updating engineering consultancy fees is part of its broader effort to modernize Malaysia's construction industry and strengthen national infrastructure development. Fair professional compensation is expected to encourage innovation, attract skilled engineers and support the country's long-term economic growth.

#Malaysia News #Infrastructure #Business #Government