Mr Speaker Sir, I beg to move, “That the Bill be read a second time.”

The Professional Engineers (Amendment) Bill 2005

2 The Professional Engineers Act was enacted to provide for the registration of professional engineers, to regulate the conduct of professional engineers, and to license corporations that supply professional engineering services in Singapore. The last set of amendments, which came into operation on 1 Jan 2004, set in place requirements for continuing professional development.

3 With the changing needs of the construction industry today, my Ministry has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Professional Engineers Act. The focus was on the areas of professionalism, construction safety, and promotion of engineering services. The proposed amendments will also give the Professional Engineers Board more autonomy as well as streamline their operations. My Ministry has sought the views of the Institution of Engineers Singapore and Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore during the preparation of the Bill. These professional bodies have given their support for the Bill.

4 The key features of the Bill are as follows:

a) To enlarge the composition of the Board and allow for election of Board members;

b) To streamline the scope and requirements of registration as professional engineers;

c) To introduce categories of registration for specialist professional engineers;

d) To set up a two-tier disciplinary process comprising the Investigation Committee and Disciplinary Committee;

e) To deter unprofessional conduct by tightening penalties against errant professionals; and

f) To allow for licensing of limited liability partnerships to provide engineering services, and revise start-up requirements.

5 Sir, I will elaborate on the proposed amendments.

Revise Composition of the Board

6 To enable the Professional Engineers Board, or PEB, to undertake its functions more effectively, the membership of the PEB will be expanded from 10 to 15. The expanded Board will also be able to take on new functions, such as administering the examination system for registration and registration system of specialist engineers.

7 Election of Board members will be introduced. Up to 6 members will be elected. The Minister will appoint up to another 6 members. The President of the Institution of Engineers Singapore and the Commissioner of Building Control will continue to be ex-officio members. There will also be one representative from the Board of Architects.

8 Similar to the approach taken by the medical and dental professions, all registered practitioners will be required to vote in the election of the 6 representatives. Those who fail to do so without valid reasons shall not be entitled to apply for practising certificates.

9 The President of the PEB will no longer be appointed by the Minister. Board members will elect, from among themselves other than the ex-officio members and the representative from the Board of Architects, their President.

Streamline Registration of Professional Engineers

10 Sir, the Bill will also simplify the criteria on work experience for registration as professional engineers. Currently, in addition to acceptable academic qualifications, applicants must have:

a) At least 2 years of professional experience in Singapore and pass an examination; or

b) 5 years of professional experience including at least 2 years of practical experience in Singapore; or

c) 10 years practical experience in engineering works.

11 The proposed amendment will streamline the criteria on work experience to a single level of at least 4 years. To maintain registration standards, the PEB will introduce an examination criterion. These streamlined qualifying requirements will align the registration process here with those of advanced countries like the US.

12 The Bill will also help the PEB focus its efforts on the development of key engineering disciplines. Presently, although the PEB registers 12 engineering disciplines, only professional engineers in the 3 construction-related disciplines of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, are required to submit plans and certificates to public authorities for approval.

13 As a result, very few engineers in non-construction related disciplines choose to be registered. Engineers registered in the non-construction related disciplines account for only 4% of the total register of 3,161 professional engineers. In the past two years, only one engineer has requested for registration in a non-construction related discipline.

14 In view of this, the Bill prescribes that only the three construction-related disciplines will be regulated. Provisions are in place for other disciplines to be regulated in the future, should the need arise.

Registration of Specialist Professional Engineers

15 In May 2005, the Government accepted the recommendation by the Joint MND-MOM Review Committee on construction safety to require deep excavation works to be carried out by professional engineers specialised in geotechnical engineering. The Bill thus makes provisions for the PEB to register categories of specialist professional engineers who will be required to take on specialised areas of work.

Revise Disciplinary Process

16 Sir, this Bill will also revise disciplinary procedures to provide for greater transparency and expedite the handling of complaints against professional engineers. The proposed two-tier disciplinary process is modelled after the medical, dental and accounting professions in Singapore. An Investigation Committee will first investigate complaints and make recommendations to the Board. If the Board decides that the complaint should proceed further, it will appoint a Disciplinary Committee to inquire into and decide on the case.

Stiffer Penalties Against Errant Professionals

17 To step up deterrence against unprofessional conduct, the Bill will impose stiffer penalties against errant professional engineers. The maximum period of suspension will be increased from one to two years. If a professional engineer is de-registered following a disciplinary inquiry, he will have to wait for three, instead of two years, before he may re-apply for registration. The Bill also allows the Board to impose a combination of disciplinary actions such as de-registration, suspension, fine and censure, as well as to recover legal costs incurred during the disciplinary proceedings.

Promotion of Businesses

18 Sir, other amendments will also be made to facilitate the promotion of engineering businesses. The Limited Liability Partnership Act, which came into effect in April this year, provides for a new corporate entity called the Limited Liability Partnership or LLP. The Bill will allow the Board to license LLPs which can supply professional engineering services. The licensing requirements are consistent with existing ones for corporations and multi-disciplinary partnerships.

19 To facilitate start-up companies to supply professional engineering services, the Bill will reduce the paid-up capital requirement for limited licensed corporation from $1 million to $500,000. A limited corporation must continue to be insured against professional liability to qualify for the licence.

20 For licensed unlimited corporations, the proportion of directors, who must either be professional engineers, architects or land surveyors, is halved from 100% to a simple majority. This requirement is aligned to that of licensed limited corporations.

Conclusion

21 Sir, the challenges facing the engineering profession as well as the entire construction sector in the years ahead will be to uphold high professional standards, and raise quality and safety standards. The amendments proposed in this Bill will enable the Professional Engineer Board to play a more effective role in helping the engineering profession meet these challenges.

22 Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.

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