KOTA KINABALU: The ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) and The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) proudly honour former Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew for her exceptional contribution, dedicated commitment, and the invaluable financial support extended by her former ministry towards advancing regional engineering collaboration.
President of IEM Ir. Yau Chau Fong said such collaboration was achieved through the successful hosting of the 42nd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 42) by IEM Sabah Branch in Kota Kinabalu in 2024.
“The conferment of the AFEO Honorary Fellow Award reflects the high respect and appreciation accorded to DSP Liew’s leadership and her former ministry’s significant role in promoting regional engineering partnership through this prestigious international conference.
“Participation by engineers from nine ASEAN countries in CAFEO 42 had further strengthened cooperation and engagement among the engineering fraternity within the ASEAN region,” Ir. Yau said in a statement after presenting the prestigious award to DSP Liew at the dual event – 51st Anniversary of IEM Sabah Branch and Installation of IEM Sabah Branch Chairman Ir. Ts. Tan Kok Jyh (2026-2027) by outgoing Branch Chairman Datuk Ir. Ts. Mohd Yaakob Hj Jaafar (2025-2026) – held at the Magellan Sutera Hotel, here, on Saturday night.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor at the event.
DSP Liew expressed her profound gratitude for special recognition, moments after receiving the AFEO Honorary Fellow Award.
Given the significance of this major event from an economic standpoint and the tourism promotion perspective, which would reinforce Sabah’s position on the ASEAN tourism map, the award honoree had no qualms about endorsing CAFEO 42 with an allocation from her former Ministry which also sponsored cultural performances by the Sabah Cultural Board’s dance troupe.
“I am deeply honoured and grateful to be conferred the AFEO Honorary Fellow Award. I dedicate this accolade to the engineering fraternity in AFEO and IEM in acknowledging their significant role and contributions to their profession, the society and nation.
“I take this opportunity to wish AFEO and IEM every success in their current programmes and future endeavours,” said DSP Liew who was a special guest at the dual event.
This conferment is reserved for distinguished individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the engineering profession, the Institution and/or any ASEAN nation.
Last year, IEM, under the presidency of Ir. Prof. Dr Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin, nominated DSP Liew to be conferred Honorary Fellow of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (Hon. FAFEO) in appreciation of her immense support for CAFEO 42. The nomination was accepted by the Governing Board of AFEO at its meeting held on August 8, 2025 in Vietnam.
She was scheduled to attend the conferment ceremony during the 43rd Annual Conference of AFEO (CAFEO 43) in October 2025 at the SMX Convention Centre in the Philippines. However, she could not make it due to the 17th Sabah State Election.-pr/BNN
