Institution of Engineers Malaysia Sabah turns 50
Published on: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Published on: Sat, Jun 14, 2025
By: Ir Ts Tan KJ, Vice Chairman 1 IEM Sabah Text Size: IEM Sabah is committed to advancing climate resilience, smart infrastructure, inclusivity, and community-based development. Emphasis will be placed on upskilling in AI and BIM, mentorship for young engineers, and sustainable infrastructure for rural communities. ON June 14, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of steadfast commitment to engineering excellence, community service, and national development. Since its establishment in 1975, IEM Sabah has played a pivotal role in shaping the professional landscape of engineering in the state, promoting innovation, ethics, and unity across disciplines.
Advertisement This Golden Jubilee is a moment not only of celebration but of reflection – honouring those who built the past, empowered the present, and will guide the future. The Beginning: 1975 The year 1975 marked the founding of IEM Sabah by a dedicated group of pioneering engineers. Their vision was to: Advocate for the professional advancement of engineers in Sabah.
Promote technical excellence and ethical practice.
Serve as a collective voice for engineering matters in state development. From humble beginnings, IEM Sabah laid a strong foundation, establishing itself as a critical stakeholder in infrastructure planning, public safety, and professional education. Building Momentum: 1980s–1990s During the 1980s and 1990s, IEM Sabah focused on capacity-building, networking, and advocacy. Key achievements included: Organising regular technical talks, short courses, and site visits.
Collaborating with government agencies such as JKR, DID, and local councils.
Launching training programs for Graduate Engineers pursuing professional registration. The move into a permanent Secretariat further enhanced administrative capabilities, enabling better member services and public engagement. Recognition and Regional Influence: 2000-2010 The early 2000s heralded a new era of prestige and influence for IEM Sabah. In 2001, YB DSP Tham Nyip Shen, then Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, was conferred the IEM Honorary Fellowship Award. In 2008, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman, the then Chief Minister of Sabah, received the IEM Honorary Fellowship Award, a recognition of his role in driving major infrastructure projects and policies that strengthened the engineering landscape in Sabah. A Decade of Outreach and Transformation: 2010-2019 This decade saw IEM Sabah grow in depth and diversity, with an emphasis on youth leadership, gender inclusivity, and public awareness. YES (Young Engineers Section) and WE (Women Engineers) organized impactful programs including innovation camps, public speaking workshops, and school career talks. Annual seminars, charity events, and policy advocacy shaped engineering discourse and community impact. Resilience Amid Crisis: Covid-19 Pandemic (2020) The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted lives and economies globally. IEM Sabah showed leadership and compassion during this crisis by donating face masks and PPE to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and one unit freezer to Jabatan Kesihatan Kota Kinabalu. WE has voluntarily provided the foods to the Covid-19 patients in Likas Detention centre. Despite MCO restrictions, technical webinars and online CPD programs continued. A Historic Milestone: Hosting CAFEO 42 in 2024 In 2024, IEM Sabah hosted the 42nd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (Cafeo42) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), welcoming 1,500 engineers from 10 Asean nations. Key awards were presented to: Distinguished Honorary Patron: former TYT Tun DSP (Dr) Juhar Mahiruddin
Distinguished Honorary Fellow: CM YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Noor
Honorary Fellow: YB Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya Deputy CM III cum Minister of Work The IEM Training Centre at KKIP One of IEM Sabah's most visionary achievements is the establishment of the IEM Training Centre at KKIP. With a generous grant of RM500,000 provided by the Right Honourable CM YAB Tan Sri DSP Musa Aman in 2012, construction began with strong support from donors and professionals. The centre, officially opened on 15 June 2015, provides specialised training and courses in oil and gas-related fields, ensuring Sabah engineers remain competitive globally. IEM Sabah extends its sincere appreciation to all who contributed to making this centre a reality. 50 Years of Progress and Purpose From 1975 to 2025, IEM Sabah has evolved into a professional body supporting over 2,100 active members and hosting more than 40 technical events annually. Key contributions include promoting registration, linking academia with industry, and advocating for sustainable engineering. Looking Forward: The Next 50 Years IEM Sabah is committed to advancing climate resilience, smart infrastructure, inclusivity, and community-based development. Emphasis will be placed on upskilling in AI and BIM, mentorship for young engineers, and sustainable infrastructure for rural communities. In Conclusion The Golden Jubilee of IEM Sabah is a testament to the commitment, vision, and integrity of engineers who have shaped our state. On 14 June 2025, as we honour this journey, we renew our pledge to serve with excellence, innovate with purpose, and lead with responsibility. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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Tan Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Noor (fifth right) receiving the AFEO Distinguished Honorary Fellow from the president of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM), Ir. Prof. Dr Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin in 2024. On 14 June 2025, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of steadfast commitment to engineering excellence, community service, and national development. Since its establishment in 1975, IEM Sabah has played a pivotal role in shaping the professional landscape of engineering in the state, promoting innovation, ethics, and unity across disciplines. This golden jubilee is a moment not only of celebration but of reflection — honouring those who built the past, empowered the present, and will guide the future. IEM Training Centre in Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park. The Beginning: 1975 The year 1975 marked the founding of IEM Sabah by a dedicated group of pioneering engineers. Their vision was to advocate for the professional advancement of engineers in Sabah, romote technical excellence and ethical practice, serve as a collective voice for engineering matters in state development. From humble beginnings, IEM Sabah laid a strong foundation, establishing itself as a critical stakeholder in infrastructure planning, public safety and professional education. Building Momentum: 1980s–1990s During the 1980s and 1990s, IEM Sabah focused on capacity-building, networking, and advocacy. Key achievements included organising regular technical talks, short courses and site visits; collaborating with government agencies such as JKR, DID and local councils; launching training programs for graduate engineers pursuing professional registration. The move into a permanent secretariat further enhanced administrative capabilities, enabling better member services and public engagement. Recognition and Regional Influence: 2000–2010 The early 2000s heralded a new era of prestige and influence for IEM Sabah. In 2001, Datuk Seri Panglima Tham Nyip Shen, then Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, was conferred the IEM Honorary Fellowship Award. In 2008, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman, the then Chief Minister of Sabah, received the IEM Honorary Fellowship Award, a recognition of his role in driving major infrastructure projects and policies that strengthened the engineering landscape in Sabah. A Decade of Outreach and Transformation: 2010–2019 This decade saw IEM Sabah grow in depth and diversity, with an emphasis on youth leadership, gender inclusivity, and public awareness. YES (Young Engineers Section) and WE (Women Engineers) organized impactful programs including innovation camps, public speaking workshops, and school career talks. Annual seminars, charity events, and policy advocacy shaped engineering discourse and community impact. Resilience Amid Crisis: Covid-19 Pandemic (2020) The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted lives and economies globally. IEM Sabah showed leadership and compassion during this crisis by donating face masks and PPE to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and one unit freezer to the Kota Kinabalu Health Department. WE has voluntarily provided the foods to the Covid-19 patients in Likas detention centre. Despite the Movement Control Order (MCO) restrictions, technical webinars and online CPD programs continued. A Historic Milestone: Hosting CAFEO 42 in 2024 In 2024, IEM Sabah hosted the 42nd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 42) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), welcoming 1,500 engineers from 10 ASEAN nations. Key awards were presented to Distinguished Honorary Patron: former TYT Tun Datuk Seri Panglima (Dr) Juhar Mahiruddin, Distinguished Honorary Fellow: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Noor, Honorary Fellow: Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya Deputy Chief Minister III cum Minister of Works One of IEM Sabah's most visionary achievements is the establishment of the IEM Training Centre at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).
