Geologists to uphold Geologist Act and exert role

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Datuk Seri Douglas Unggah Embas, has urged geologists to uphold the Geologist Act 2008 and exert their role in the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

"I see the ETP as an important stimulus for the profession to take a great leap forward to come of age, and take full ownership of the standing and authority provided through the execution of the Geologist Act," he said in a statement released by Institute of Geology, Malaysia (IGM) Monday.

He said geologists could play their role within the scope of the National Key Economic Area for the "Business Service Sector" as well as for "Greater Kuala Lumpur as an engine of economic growth".

Douglas Unggah said the tunnelling work for the Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley mass rapid transit, which will penetrate the limestone formation in the areas identified, was a critical circumstance where geology will play a major role.

He also called upon all related sectors in government, industry players, as well as those interested, to come forward and support the geology conference which will be co-organised by IGM.

The minister said the conference, themed "Geology is Important ... for Engineers, Constructors and Developers!", was part of the IGM Outreached Programme initiative to generate greater exposure of geology and healthy and constructive discourse on issues that affect Malaysian properties, financial well-being and human lives.

Datuk Yunus Abdul Razak, IGM president and also director, mineral and geoscience division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said the conference will draw focus on engineering geology and its impact on major development and infrastructure, nation-building, economic transformation and the uplifting of quality of life.

The conference, from Jan 29-30, 2013, will be line up experts in the field including the local authority in engineering geology, Prof Datuk Dr Ibrahim Komoo and international expert Kevin Holley.