Interview for Malaysia Professional Engineer's (Temuduga Jurutera Profesional) Part 1

Assalamulaikum wbth and very good morning/evening.

For those who access this article for the sake of preparing their Profesional Engineer board's interview either through Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM) or Institute of Engineer Malaysia (IEM), I wish for your luck.

I want to share my little experience throughout my application to sit for this interview.  Before I share my experience, let me share a little bit about my professional background. I serve for Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) as a Lieutenant since 2010 and promoted for Lieutenant Commander in 2016.  Before I sit for my exam, I almost have 9 years experience as an Engineer in RMN.  My background is in Electrical and Electronic Engineers specifically registered for Electronic in BEM.  I served in Headquarters for engineering management and also serve as an engineer in RMN's ship. I just went through my 1st interview for BEM Profesional Engineer. It held in IEM branch in Ipoh at the end of 2018's year.  I still waiting for the result.  Perhaps it will be a nice outcome due to the smoothness of the interview's held. 

There is three option to sit for this exam.  First with the application directly through BEM, 2nd via IEM and 3rd directly through BEM if the candidate already has Profesional Engineer from abroad.  For me, I choose through directly BEM.  If you ask me, what is the best option?  I'll say it depends on your situation.  For me, both have pro and contra.  For instance, the 1st option you need to prepare extra RM 200++ for the fees compares to the 2nd option.  But, the paperwork is much easier than the 2nd option.  For the 2nd option, you'll get automatically members of IEM when you pass for the exam and then continue for the Profesional Engr. application through BEM with RM 350 fees.  Wait! After passing the exam, do we need to apply again for Prof Engr?  Yes, please distinguish for the professional exam and professional application.  For Profesional application to get 'Ir' title from BEM, you need to pass Profesional Exam first.  To pass the exam, you need to apply for Profesional Exam sit first.  Hope you guys have pretty clear about this matter.

What is the difference between BEM and IEM?  BEM is the government body to for Engineers, while IEM is like an academy for Engineers.  BEM approve for Engineer registration and IEM run for engineers activities.  BEM not conducting any evaluation neither interview nor exam.  It will be run by IEM.  So, for my case, even though I apply through BEM, but they pass my interview by IEM.  'Circle-circle there'.

I came early for the interview at 9.00 o'clock even though the office still not open yet.  I choose to wear a long suit to show how I'm taking seriously into this interview.  I prepare all documented needed with also my certificates.  I printed all the reports as my reference.  My interview start at 9.30 am with my 1st panel is a Chinese person with the age late 50s.  He is with experience engineer who conducts many interviews before.  My 2nd panel is a Malay guy with the age approximately the middle of the '50s.  He is Telekom's Engineer.   Here is some conclusion of the question that I still remember:

1. Experience briefing

I just brief little bit about my education and job background.  I know it's not necessary to brief all about yourself including village, family, kindergarten school and etc.  This thing needs to be precise and sharp, only the important one that influences your job as an engineer should be brief.  With referring to my experience's report, I go through all the years that I'm experiencing before.  This thing it's more easy and smooth.

2. How to ensure all the system working during real uses

This question comes after I brief about my 1st year as the maintenance person on board ship.  I explain about how we have pre-sailing check 24 hours before our sailing.  All section and machinery will be tested.  We do some simulation to ensure all the systems in good condition.  If something bad happens during real uses,  we will check the problem immediately and come out with a solution.  If the guns not working, we will check all the possibility without ignoring safety SOP.  I experience this thing 1 or 2 times during my Guns fire. So, I just tell them how this thing happens, and how I manage for the problem.

To be continued...

Road to Makkah

I have always been a dream to perform the Hajj at an earlier age.  I have never been to this two sacred place, neither Makkah nor Madinah. So, I am still ambitious to step into this two holly city since 3 years ago.

Last year, I try to apply to go for the Hajj via Armed Force's quota. I heard from my friend that last Minister of Defence have a good relationship with the Saudi Government and he manage to apply additional quota for Armed Forces.  But when suddenly Government change in Mei 2018, the quota shrink only less 100.  I'm not really disappointed because during that time also, I need to manage for my PhD's registration also moving into new places.

This year, I take a few steps ahead.  I manage to keep money (close to being enough..Insha-Allah) and registered for Hajj Course close to my house.  I manage with my wife to go for the course separately in different venue and time for the sake of Children care.  I also manage to submit for Hajj application letter last December 2018.  I hope Insha-Allah this year will be our(me and wife) year.

There are a few points that we need to manage before we go to the pilgrimage:

1. Money and Registration
I manage to register for my Hajj in 2010 and my wife in around 2015.  We keep our money every month but unfortunately, I also use this money as an emergency escape.  The way I keep money into Tabung Haji to make me the discipline of keeping the money, and I still trust this body till now.

2. Knowledge
My advice, go for the course before your thinking to go for Hajj.  Because of this 'ibadah' is not the same as others.  You need to have better knowledge to avoid any confusion or worst-case scenario suffer for worse quality of Hajj.  You need also to pay 'Dam' if you use to have any false for with regard to Hajj pillar.  After attending the course, you can have supply yourself with a better understanding by review recorded course online via YouTube.  It will give you the amount of confident toward this Hajj knowledge.

3. Family Management

For those who have a family and children, please plan for your children management during your Hajj journey.  Don't be so perfectionist when you leave your children with someone else.  Pray for Allah make ease along your Hajj journey and give enough money for them to survive.

4. Spiritual Preparation

This is the most important among the others.  For me, all others preparation above is technicals but spiritual preparation is the essence of this Ibadah.  Prepare of more ibadah and do repentance frequently.  Always remember Allah will accept for those who have a pure heart to be his guests.

May Allah make ease for me and my wife for this spiritual journey, Insha-Allah.