Yau (left) presenting the AFEO Honorary Fellow Award medal to Liew.
KOTA KINABALU: The ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) and The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) have conferred the Honorary Fellow of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (Hon FAFEO) award on former Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
The award recognises her exceptional contribution, dedicated commitment and the invaluable financial support extended by her former ministry towards advancing regional engineering collaboration through the successful hosting of the 42nd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 42) by IEM Sabah Branch in Kota Kinabalu in 2024.
IEM President Ir Yau Chau Fong said the conferment of the AFEO Honorary Fellow Award, comprising a medal and certificate, reflects the high regard and appreciation accorded to Liew’s leadership and her former ministry’s significant role in promoting regional engineering partnerships through the prestigious international conference.
“Participation by engineers from nine ASEAN countries in CAFEO 42 further strengthened cooperation and engagement among the engineering fraternity across the ASEAN region,” he said in a statement after presenting the award to Liew at the dual event marking the 51st Anniversary of IEM Sabah Branch and the installation of IEM Sabah Branch Chairman Ir Ts Tan Kok Jyh (2026–2027) by outgoing chairman Datuk Ir Ts Mohd Yaakob Jaafar (2025–2026) at The Magellan Sutera Resort here last night.
Deputy Chief Minister I cum Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor at the event.
Moments after receiving the award, Liew expressed her profound gratitude for the recognition.
She noted that, given the significance of CAFEO 42 from both economic and tourism promotion perspectives, particularly in strengthening Sabah’s position on the ASEAN tourism map, she had no hesitation in supporting the conference through an allocation from her former ministry.
Her ministry also sponsored cultural performances by the Sabah Cultural Board’s dance troupe during the event.
“I am deeply honoured and grateful to be conferred the AFEO Honorary Fellow Award. I dedicate this accolade to the engineering fraternity in AFEO and IEM in recognition of their significant role and contributions to their profession, society and the nation.
“I take this opportunity to wish AFEO and IEM every success in their current programmes and future endeavours,” she said.
The Hon FAFEO conferment is reserved for distinguished individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the engineering profession, the Institution and/or any ASEAN nation.
Last year, IEM, under the presidency of Ir Prof Dr Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin, nominated Liew for the award in appreciation of her immense support for CAFEO 42. The nomination was subsequently endorsed by the AFEO Governing Board during its meeting in Vietnam on Aug 8, 2025.
Liew was scheduled to receive the award during the 43rd Annual Conference of AFEO (CAFEO 43) at the SMX Convention Centre in the Philippines in October 2025, but was unable to attend due to the 17th Sabah State Election.
