Rules that govern the practices of architects, surveyors and engineers in Brunei are in the final stages of establishment, according to the president of Brunei Institute of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects (Puja).

Dato Hj Idris disclosed this at the ,Puja Architect’s Night on Saturday.

The Architects, Engineers and Surveyors Order is a draft legislation which requires all architects, surveyors and engineers in Brunei to be registered with Puja.

The society will then vet applications for membership by determining whether the professional qualifications of the applicant are recognised by the society.

Dato Hj Idris said that this was one of three things that he wanted to accomplish during his presidency, which includes the establishment of the Architects, Engineers and Surveyors Board of Registration.

Once the draft legislation has been passed, Puja would be able to set up this board, he added.

In a previous interview with The Brunei Times, Dato Hj Idris said that the board would make sure all the duties and services are delivered in accordance with the practice, and the enactment (order) and anyone going against this would be considered as not performing their duties properly and could be deregistered.

“When we talk about best practices, we should be properly guided with good rules and regulations, especially when we talk about our professional practices, we should have established legislature and enactments,” he said.

Also on Dato Hj Idris’ agenda is the setting up of a Green Building Council, which he said was the missing link to the government initiative of conducting seminars, awareness campaigns and experimental projects for example using solar energy.

“Every developed nation is trying to reduce their greenhouse carbon emissions or carbon footprint and researching towards finding energy efficient solutions and looking for alternative or renewable energy,” he said.

He added: “I don’t think we are exempted from this situation, as we are citizens of the world we are also affected and so what are we waiting for? Lets take some action!”

He encouraged the architects to design buildings based on green concepts and to let this be the approach when designing.

Saturday’s Architects Night also featured a short talk by Lim Hooi Siang from Malaysia, who is an urban planner by profession.

Lim specialises in Heritage Conservation and spoke about the different heritage sites in Malaysia such as Malacca and Penang.

The event was attended by some 70 people, including architects and members of staff from different practices in Brunei.

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