Dr Joachim (seated, centre) with IEM President Ir Yau Chau Fong (seated, second left), new IEM Sabah Chairman Ir Ts Tan KJ (seated third left), outgoing Sabah IEM chairman Datuk Ir Ts Mohd Yaakob Jaafar (seated third right) and IEM Sabah new committee.
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has called on the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah to play a leading role in driving innovation and accelerating the adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) across the state.
He said this includes advancing digital engineering, smart infrastructure and green technologies to position Sabah for the future economy.
“Through professionalism and integrity, IEM Sabah will elevate engineers as trusted pillars of society. This is not merely collaboration; it is a shared mission to build Sabah’s future,” he said at the IEM Sabah 51st Anniversary Dinner at The Magellan Sutera here last night. His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister I cum Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Hajiji expressed confidence that IEM Sabah would take on a more active role in collaborating with the State Government to ensure the highest standards of quality, safety and sustainability in development projects.
“This includes accelerating the development of local engineers towards Professional Engineer (PE) status and building a strong and self-reliant engineering workforce for Sabah,” he said.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that engineers today are not only nation-builders but also solution architects and strategic partners in governance.
He noted that under the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) roadmap, the State Government has outlined a bold and transformative agenda with clear priorities, including strengthening infrastructure connectivity, accelerating industrial and economic growth, ensuring sustainable resource management and empowering high-quality human capital.
“We cannot achieve this alone. Your cooperation and efforts are essential to drive this forward for the good of our state and our people.
“The State Government sees IEM Sabah not merely as a professional body, but as a strategic partner in development. Moving forward, this partnership must be strengthened with greater purpose and impact,” he said.
Hajiji also expressed hope that IEM Sabah would continue nurturing engineers who are technically excellent and forward-thinking, ethically grounded and professionally accountable, and globally competitive while remaining responsive to Sabah’s needs.
“This is our investment in our young people to be architects of Sabah’s next phase of growth,” he said.
