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...