FridayOL

PETALING JAYA – Leading academics and industry experts in Malaysia are advocating for the urgent enactment of a comprehensive law to officially recognise and regulate the profession of building surveyors. Their call stems from growing concerns about public safety and the potential risks posed by unqualified individuals conducting building surveys, assessments, and inspections.

Currently, the absence of a specific legal framework governing building surveyors leaves a significant gap in the construction industry's oversight mechanisms. This lack of regulation allows individuals with inadequate training, experience, and professional competence to offer building survey services, potentially compromising the structural integrity and safety of buildings.

“The current situation is a ticking time bomb,” stated Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamal, a renowned expert in structural engineering at Universiti Malaya. “Building surveyors play a crucial role in identifying potential hazards, assessing building conditions, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Without proper regulation and accreditation, we risk overlooking critical issues that could lead to accidents, injuries, or even loss of life.”

The Need for a Robust Legal Framework

The proposed law aims to establish clear standards for building surveyors, including:

• Accreditation and Licensing: A mandatory accreditation and licensing system to ensure that only qualified and competent individuals are permitted to practice.
• Defined Scope of Practice: A clear definition of the roles, responsibilities, and scope of practice for building surveyors to prevent scope creep and ensure accountability.
• Professional Standards and Ethics: The establishment of professional standards and a code of ethics to guide the conduct of building surveyors and maintain public trust.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Requirements for ongoing CPD to ensure that building surveyors stay abreast of the latest industry developments, technologies, and best practices.
• Disciplinary Procedures: A robust disciplinary framework to address instances of negligence, misconduct, or incompetence.

Benefits of Regulation

The implementation of a building surveyor law would yield numerous benefits, including:

• Enhanced Public Safety: Reduced risk of building failures, accidents, and injuries due to improved quality of surveys and inspections.
• Increased Consumer Confidence: Greater assurance for building owners and tenants that surveys are conducted by qualified professionals.
• Improved Building Standards: Higher quality of construction and maintenance due to better identification and rectification of defects.
• Professionalisation of the Industry: Elevated status and recognition for building surveyors as skilled and respected professionals.
• Economic Benefits: Increased investment in the construction sector due to greater confidence in building safety and quality.

Call to Action

Academics and industry leaders are urging the government to prioritize the drafting and enactment of this crucial legislation. They believe that a proactive approach to regulating building surveyors is essential to safeguarding public safety and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Malaysian construction industry. Stakeholder consultations, including input from building surveyors, developers, architects, and engineers, are vital to ensure the law is comprehensive and effective.

The time for action is now. Protecting the safety and well-being of Malaysians should be paramount, and a law regulating building surveyors is a vital step in achieving that goal.