Local engineers prerequisite for ministry’s projects
KOTA KINABALU: Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia Sabah Branch (ACEM) , Institution of Engineers Malaysia Sabah Branch (IEM) and Sabah Engineers Association ( SEA) made a joint courtesy call on Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili at SESB building, here on Thursday.
The key objective of the visit was to address the crucial issue of local firms and engineers that have been deprived from active participation in the ministry’s projects.
ACEM Sabah, IEM Sabah and SEA are ready to assist the Sabah government in the providing the technical input and play an advisory role.
The delegation of engineers praised and congratulated the minister on development projects in RMK-11 that benefited the Sabah.
ACEM Sabah appreciated Maximus for the opportunities given to the local engineering firms in implementing those projects.
“This will benefit the locals for further capacity building,” commended Amirul Hisham, ACEM Sabah chairman.
Maximus assured that the local interest would be safely guarded under his ministry during the implementation process.
He said the federal government had allocated funds to the ministry for the development and generating of energy whether it is gas, solar, geothermal, biomass or biogas and wind.
“Various projects and development under the ministry have been planned and due for implementation.
“Key projects like the proposed gas pipe line from Kimanis to Kota Marudu, Pitas and Sandakan, 300MW IPP in Sandakan and Southern Grid, and Tawau Geothermal power plant are generating power for the state,” he said.
Earlier on, Warrence Chan, an ACEM executive committee member quoted that SOGT project at Kimanis, the gas pipeline to Bintulu among many other oil and gas related projects were awarded to non-local Sabahan companies.
He cited the success story of Sabah Forest Industry ( SFI) that started with local engineers, being trained initially and later operating the mill in the end and pointed out that such exposure was crucial for local talent as part of the training, technology and knowledge transfer.