IEM president Jeffrey Chiang said the amendments to the Act expand the scope of professional land surveyors into areas typically handled by engineers under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967.

“IEM firmly believes this development poses risks to project accountability, regulatory consistency and, most critically, public safety,” he said in a statement.

Chiang called on the government as well as stakeholders to take immediate action in establishing a clear distinction between the roles of engineers and land surveyors to prevent jurisdictional disputes.

He also said the amended Act creates ambiguity in the roles played by engineers and land surveyors in critical areas such as boundary determination, geodetic surveys, and infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges and tunnels.

“Many of these tasks demand specialised engineering knowledge, including complex calculations for stability, structural integrity, and safety.

“Expanding the scope of surveyors into these areas creates confusion over legal authority and accountability, potentially compromising project oversight and execution,” he said.

Chiang also warned of the public safety risks associated with delegating engineering-intensive tasks to individuals who may not possess the necessary qualifications.

He said the introduction of overlapping jurisdiction between the LLSA and the Board of Engineers Malaysia also raises regulatory conflicts.

“Inconsistencies in project approval requirements, surveying accuracy, and design standards could create confusion among industry professionals, delay projects, increase costs, and spark legal disputes over regulatory precedence,” he said.

Given the importance of infrastructure development in driving Malaysia’s economic growth, he said, clear regulatory guidelines are essential to maintaining investor confidence and project continuity.