The conception of ASHRAE Malaysia Chapter goes back to 1984. In January 1984, Mr. Rod Oehlers, then Managing Director of Ranhill Bersekutu Sdn Bhd attended the ASHRAE Winter Meeting in Atlanta. There he met his old classmate from the Anglo Chinese School in Singapore, Mr. Loh Peng Sum, who himself had just recently established the Singapore Chapter, known then as "SAAM", (The Singapore Association of ASHRAE Members). Mr. Loh Peng Sum convinced Rod to do likewise for Malaysia. A year after Rod's return back to Kuala Lumpur in 1985, a Steering Committee was set up and was well supported by the Society's Secretary, Mr. Frank Coda, who himself visited Kuala Lumpur and helped guide the local members to organize a Chapter.