Leadership recall interview with Mr Chea Suei Keong conducted (Chapter President: 2006 - 2007)
A leadership recall interview with Mr Chea Suei Keong was conducted on 15th November 2015 by Mr. Chan Jian Wen.
- How did you become an engineer? Was it your childhood ambition?
In the 70’s, during the limited hours of black and white TV programming era, there was a commercial featuring a man in a white hat, armed with construction plan drawings and directing teams of workers building a high rise structure. I asked my uncle then, who was watching the TV program with me, “what was the man in the white hat doing?” He said in mandarin,”工程師” which I only knew during my high school era to mean "Engineer". In my little heart at that time I said, “I want to be like him.”
- Tell us briefly of your career as an HVAC engineer.
I came back from Melbourne, Australia in 1987 after completing my Building Engineering degree but was jobless for a few months due to the economic recession then. I started as a Service Engineer for a local service provider company for a year, and found the opportunity to work for Carrier in 1989, when the Malaysian economy recovered and on the growth path.
I was with Carrier for 23 years and currently am on my own as a distributor for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries brand Industrial Grade Chillers for Malaysia.
- What are your main fields of interests in HVAC engineering research and excellence?
My current field of interest basically lies in the district cooling systems as a way forward in managing energy efficiency and energy conservation globally. As energy is a limited commodity, we have to maximise the usage of finite fossil fuels that deliver the juice to light up and power up the globe. Other pressing issues such as global warming, climate change, seawater level rising, drought and man-made disasters demand our urgent attention in addressing them. Otherwise, there will be no tomorrow for our future generations.
- Can you tell us briefly what your most satisfying HVAC project is?
My role is providing technical support, marketing, distributing and after-sales service support for HVAC system. In current Mitsubishi era, seeing KLIA2 Chilled Water DCS and KLCC Ice Thermal Storage systems powered up, delivered energy saving Chilled Water to cool the entire areas of KLIA2 and KLCC, and raking in profits to stakeholders.
- You have been very active in the HVAC industry over the years. How did you first become involved in MASHRAE?
MASHRAE used to hold meetings in Carrier office in the 90’s and I was roped in by the president then. I served as the Student Activity Chair in 2001, while at the same time served as the Vice President for Malaysia Air Conditioning Refrigeration Association (MACRA).
- You have contributed much valuable time to MASHRAE and HVAC industry, do you think the time has been well spent? What are the benefits you have gained and the satisfaction you have derived from all these volunteerism?
I have served in MASHRAE since 2001, being involved in Student Activities, Membership Promotion, Hon Secretary, President Elect, President, Immediate Past President and to current Grassroot Government Activities Chair. There was a break from 2009 to 2012 as I was posted to other regions.
I considered the time I contributed to MASHRAE as not just well spent, but richly rewarding in fellowship and connectiveness among MASHRAE team members and regional chapters officers. The benefits and satisfaction gained are intangible, unquantifiable, and non-measurable. It is intrinsic and the memories last forever.
- Can you give some advice to those engineers and members out there who have yet to volunteer their services to MASHRAE?
My advice to those engineers and members is to get actively involved in a good cause in contributing back to society and our mother Earth. It may only cost you the resources, such as time, talent, money, etc, but the reward and benefits are momentous.
- How do you think ASHRAE can contribute to society especially with issues of energy efficiency and global warming?
ASHRAE, through local chapter, is contributing to society, especially with issues of energy efficiency and global warming. MASHRAE’s technical team expertise is much sought after and often called upon by various government agencies and engineering non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to work together in developing and up-keeping standards, practices, regulations, and even by-laws to govern the HVAC industries in Malaysia. In another word, MAHSRAE is thrust forefront as the leading HVAC’s NGO in assisting the government in realizing the Developed Status in 2020.
- Are you proud of being an engineer?
Engineering by itself is only knowledge, but the utilization of such must be rooted on the bedrock of ethically right thinking, committed and professional engineers’ conduct and profession. Yes, I am proud to be such.
- What is your advice for young engineers?
Have ethically right thinking and be truthful to the Engineering profession at the same time, enjoy the work entrusted upon you or build the dream career you always wanted.
- Finally, what advice can you give to the present and future BOGs of MASHRAE?
There is work to be done but not forgetting the fellowship, fun, and joy that contribution to MASHRAE brings.
