Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia

Background

Since independence a number of professional institutions were established mainly to look after the welfare of their own members. As such many activities were organised solely for their own profession - no inter disciplinenary activities were organised except far occasional social function. Realising this steps were taken as for back as 1970 to form an organisation uniting all the professional bodies in this country. Due to shortage of fund and a suitable place to hold meeting the establishment was delayed. However, the inspiration was never delayed.

In the meantime a conference on profession in the Commonwealth was held in 1971 in Singapore. A number of Malaysian attended the conference as invited guests. The Malaysian delegates were promised assistance from the Commonwealth Foundation on three conditions, viz.

• The professional in the country must be prepared to participate in the activities.
• Every professional institution must contribute to the Centre, based on size.

Eventually the centre should find its own source of funds. The fore-runner, Dr. Keshmahinder Singh (MMA) organised a special brainstrorming meeting at the British Council on 19 May 1972. Fifteen (15) professional institutions were present on 21 January 1973, at the Commonwealth House. It was attended by eleven (11) professional institutions. At this meeting the name 'BALAI IKHTISAS MALAYSIA' or Malaysian Professional Centre was agreed upon. At this meeting the first Management Committee was elected with Dr.Keshmahinder Singh as the first Chairman. The eleven (11) professional institutions are:-

• The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)
• Malaysian Medical Association (MMA)
• Malaysian Dental Association (MDA)
• Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM)
• Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM)
• Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS)
• Veterinary Association of Malaysia (VAM)
• The Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM)
• Agriculture Institute of Malaysia (AIM)
• Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP)
• Bar Council of Malaysia (BCM)

Deployment

Since the birth in 1973, BIM has grown and matured with the nation and its people over the past two and half decade. Its membership has grown to twenty (20 institutional members with total individual membership of about 50,000 Malaysian professionals. This makes the Centre in Kuala Lumpur as one of the largest among those established in the Commonwealth Centre. The member institutions currently affiliated with BIM are as TABLE 2.

The closed rapport between the Centre and the government has been strengthened over the years. The tangible result of the government recognition of BIM is the acceptance as Patron by the Prime Minister. Our first Patron was the late Prime Minister YAB Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein. He was succeeded by the late Prime MInister, Tun Hussein Onn and YAB Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad. Our current Patron, is the Prime Minister, YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi.

Initially the centre received funding from the Commonwealth Foundation. Since 1983, the Centre has been able to stand on its own feet. This is made possible through the dedication and commitment of all professionals of the Centre. The Centre currently is located on a three storey office building in Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, which belongs to the Centre. A new 5-storey office block consisting of 25,000 sq. feet at No. 1 Jalan Tenteram, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras has just been completed. This space is available for rental.

Past Leaders

No history is complete without the people making it successful. Similarly BIM has numerous dedicated and selfless members who made many sacrifices to nature and built up the centre what it is to day -a proud symbol of all professionals in Malaysia.

In its 25 years of experience, BIM has had the services of 8 chairmen. We wish to express our thanks to them and their committee for their sacrifices and dedicated services.

Objective

As an umbrella body of professional associations, the Centre's primary role is to promote professionalism in the Country including a duty to the public by making positive contributions to society. The Centre's objective include the following:-

In Perspective

The Center is a growing and viable entity and its potential to assist in national development has yet to be fully utilized. It is hope that the Center will be called upon to participate more fully in the mainstream of national development. This would fulfill its ultimate objective of serving the Nation and being a partner in the successful social and economic advancement towards national development.

With the advancement of science and technology, and the diversification of the economy, there is a greater need for specialized knowledge, skills and training – the need for trained manpower.

The professional then represent a sector of the community ahose resources may be tapped and be applied to meet such needs. It is through mutual consultation and a concerted effort of all in the private and public sectors that we may help build a better Malaysian - physically, socially and economically.

It is BIM fervent hope to see that professionals in Malaysia become leaders in their own chosen fields as well as renowned, influential and highly respected group in society. This brief history is not the end of the BIM story. The story of BIM is still unfolding and will continue to be developed and told for many more years to come.