KUCHING: The Sarawak government, through the Public Works Department (JKR), is taking proactive measures to review the Standard Scale of Fees (SOF) policy for registered consultants in a move aimed at strengthening the state’s local consultancy industry.
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said the revision was timely as the current policy has remained unchanged for over two decades.
“I think the last amendment to the SOF was made in 1998, which is 27 years ago.
“Now is the right time for the state government to bring this matter to the attention of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for the benefit of all PWD consultants in Sarawak.
“This (revision) must be in line with a culture of professional excellence and innovation, to ensure the well-being and competitiveness of consultants in Sarawak,” he said.
Aidel, who was representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, officiated the closing ceremony of Sarawak JKR’s Strategic Engagement with Consultants 2025 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Tuesday.
He added that Sarawak JKR director Dr Cassidy Morris, who currently chairs the Board of Engineers Malaysia’s (BEM) Scale of Fees Committee, was well-placed to address the issue effectively.
“I am sure he will champion the interests of all 237 registered consultants in Sarawak and ensure that payments are made in accordance with at least the SOF.
“It is time for this scale to be reviewed so that consultants continue to be relevant and valued,” he said.
As the Sarawak government continue to support the growth and development of the local consultancy industry, Aidel said that the industry is expected to evolve, be more capable, more accountable and more future ready.
“Because of that, the state government is prepared to review policies such as the SOF and the Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) requirements, but this must be matched with the culture of professional excellence and innovation.
“With that said, I encourage all the participants to take what you have learned, reflect on the feedback received and move forward with a stronger purpose,” he said.
