Ethics Problem in Highland Tower Incident

ETHICS
By referring to the book of “Ethics in Engineering by Mike W. Martin and Roland

Schinzinger” as reference, ethics is synonymous with morality. Accordingly, engineering
ethics consists of the responsibility and rights that ought to be endorsed by those engaged in
engineering, and also of desirable ideals and personal commitments in engineering. It studies
which actions, goals, principles, policies, and laws are morally justified. Using this meaning,
engineering ethics is the study of the decisions, policies, and values that are morally desirable
in engineering practice and research. Therefore, engineering ethics reflection and action aimed
at preventing moral harm and avoidable ethical dilemmas. Ethics dilemmas or moral dilemmas
is a situation which moral reasons come into conflict, or in which the application of moral
values is problematic, and it is not immediately obvious what should be done. Moral value
permeate all aspects technological development, and hence ethics and excellence in
engineering go together. Personal meaning and commitments matter in engineering ethics,
along with priciples of responsibility that are stated in code of ethics and incumbent on all
engineers. Ethics dilemmas arise in engineering, as elsewhere, because moral values are myriad
and can conflict.
In this case that we studied, Highland Towers collapse causes 48 people died, and a lot
of physical destruction towards environment including habitat such as animals. This incident
had arise the issue on engineering ethics. The study of moral issues and decisions confronting
individuals and organizations engaged in engineering activities. Issue of ethics arise because
of the specialist knowledge of the professional, and how the use of this knowledge should be
governed when providing a service to the public. Code of ethics state the moral responsibilities
of engineers as seen by the profession, and as represented by a professional society. This is
because they express the profession’s collective commitment to ethics, code are enormously
important, not only in stressing engineers’ responsibilities but also the freedom to exercise
them. Code of ethics play at least eight essential roles: serving and protecting the public,
providing guidance, offering inspiration, establishing shared standards, supporting responsible
professionals, contributing to education, deterring wrong-doing, and strengthening a
profession’s image.
After several proper study by expert, the cause of failure was attributed to a landslide
that occurred due to pipes that burst, allowing for the barren ground near the site to wash away.
On December 11, 1993, the Board of Engineers Malaysia has brought charges against the
consultant engineer of the condominium project. A top BEM official had been set for hearing
where engineer Wong Yuen Kean would be judged by his peers on matters relating to ethics
and professionalism. The 3 apartment of Highland Tower, Block 1, Block 2 and Block 3 were
built on elevated land with a relatively flat base. Directly behind it was a steep hill. A retired
draughtsman, Wong Tin Sang told the High Court that the engineer of building agency,
Highland Tower Properties, does not provide any engineer supervised the landfill of the steep
hill. He also revealed that he drew the layout plans for Highland Tower Properties based on a
copy of a layout plan which had been approved for a previous developer on the site. Wong Tin
Sang, 63, said the layout plan which contained basic information like configurations,
measurements, lots and contours, was given to him by the developer of Highland Towers,
Highland Properties Sdn Bhd. The previous developer was not named. Although, Wong Tin
Sang said to the High Court he was not responsible for the drainage system at the hill slope of
the Highland Towers condominium and had advised the developer on the matter. Wong Tin
Sang, 63, said the Highland Towers project required a structural engineer and he did insist that
the developer, Highland Towers Properties Sdn Bhd, engage one for the hill slope. A civil
engineer told the High Court that not all of the main drains at the Highland Towers site were
constructed according to the plan approved by the Drainage and Irrigation Department. Wong
Yuen Kean, 56, when questioned by his counsel, S. Melvin, said this was because the road at
the hill slope was not levelled and the developer, Highland Properties Sdn Bhd, was financially
tight. A civil engineer told the High Court today that some used rail piles were used for the
foundation of the three blocks of the Highland Towers condominium. Wong Yuen Kean,
however, said that most of the rail piles were new because he rejected most of the used rail
piles when he and his workers made a check during the delivery of the rail piles.
In this situation leading us towards the code of ethics: serving and protecting the public.
From the perspective of view, this retired draughtsman seems to push all of the faults toward
the developer. Professionals stand in a fiduciary relationship with the public: trust and
trustworthiness are essential. A code of ethics functions as a commitment by the profession as
a whole that engineers will serve the public health, safety and welfare. The retired draughtsman
defending himself, by stating that he already warned the developer about the problem they will
faced and suggested a professional engineer to overcome this situation. He shows that he
concern about general public safety who will live inside the condominium who may not aware
the hazards from the hill slide. As his expectation, 14 years after the opening of Highland Tower,
the main cause of the tragedy of Highland tower is the drainage system. While the developers’
engineers was not supervising the hill slide create a huge impact towards human, animal and
environment. The civil engineer also revealed that the developer approve to use the used rail
piles but still most of the rail piles were new. His also shows the public concern and use new
rail piles even though the developer was financially tight.
The cased of the retired draughtsman who copied the layout was an incorrect action. In
this situation leading us towards the code of ethics: guidance. Codes provide helpful guidance
concerning the main obligations of engineers. Further specificity may also be attained by the
interpretation of code, as is done by the National Society of Professional Engineers’ Board of
Ethical Review. Any person who wants to take up employment as an engineer must be
registered as a Graduate Engineer with Board of Engineers (BEM). BEM recognizes the
experience gained by an engineering graduate only after he has registered as a Graduate
Engineer. As such, it is prudent for an engineering graduate to register as a Graduate Engineer
at the very beginning of his engineering career. , Law of Malaysia, Registration of Engineers
Act 1967. The Institution of Engineer Malaysia, IEM was an institution function as to
encourage, support and promote the theory and practice of various engineering disciplines.
Towards this end, it has organized various conferences both local and international, conducted
numerous seminars, talks and forums.
From my point of view, public also play as main character to observe the situation
around them. The damage was occurred continuously because lack of public concern. Those
people who lived in and around of the Highland Tower area may not pay attention toward the
land slide from the back of their condominium. They also think this kind of situation was not
a big deal and the causes of this problem will not lead to a disaster.

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ETHICS

By referring to the book of “Ethics in Engineering by Mike W. Martin and Roland

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