Malaysia’s project management profession marked an important milestone on 2 August 2026 when four prominent professional bodies, represented by their senior leaders, gathered for the inaugural Malaysian Project Management Professional Bodies’ Leadership Roundtable.
Held under the theme “Collaboration for the Nation”, the session was hosted by Project Xcellence Partners Sdn. Bhd. (PXP) at its Training Centre and Office in Tamarind Square, Cyberjaya.
The four founding organisations represented at the roundtable were:
AACE Malaysia Section (Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, Malaysia Section)
IEM-PMTD (Institution of Engineers Malaysia – Project Management Technical Division)
IPMA Malaysia (International Project Management Association, Malaysia)
PMI Malaysia Chapter (Project Management Institute, Malaysia Chapter)
The inaugural session brought together seven senior leaders from the four organisations:
IPMA Malaysia: Ts. Alex Zulkarnain Zulkarim, President; and Ts. Dr. Siti A’iasah Hashim, Deputy President
PMI Malaysia Chapter: En. Zaharuddin Jaafar, President
AACE Malaysia Section: Ts. Muhammad Azri Ahmad Baharom, President; and Ms. Kareen Aileen Khor, Vice President
IEM-PMTD: Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Syuhaida Ismail, Chairperson; and Ir. Ts. Dr. Harris Abd Rahman Sabri, Advisor
The gathering was deliberately kept small and leadership-focused, enabling the participants to exchange perspectives openly and explore areas of common interest in a constructive setting.
The four founding organisations agreed on the following Shared Purpose for the Leadership Roundtable:
“To create a trusted leadership platform for Malaysia’s project management professional bodies to strengthen relationships, exchange perspectives and pursue practical collaboration that advances the profession and contributes to national development.”
From Parallel Efforts to Practical Collaboration
Each participating professional body has its own identity, mandate, membership, international affiliations and areas of specialisation. These differences remain valuable and will continue to be respected.
The Leadership Roundtable is not intended to merge the participating organisations, compare certifications or dilute their individual identities. Instead, it provides a platform through which their leaders can communicate more regularly, coordinate selected activities and pursue practical opportunities for collaboration.
During the inaugural session, the four organisations shared their respective priorities and opportunities for the remainder of 2026. They also discussed how they could provide practical support for one another’s major events and professional activities.
Potential areas of cooperation explored during the session included:
🎯 Supporting and promoting selected key events organised by the participating bodies
🎯 Encouraging leadership participation across major professional programmes
🎯 Sharing suitable speakers, panellists, moderators and subject-matter experts
🎯 Improving coordination of major event calendars
🎯 Exploring joint activities that could benefit the wider project management community
🎯 Contributing project management knowledge and experience towards initiatives with professional, community or national impact
The discussion moved beyond general expressions of support. By the conclusion of the meeting, the four organisations had agreed on a practical mechanism to continue the Leadership Roundtable and had identified two potential joint initiatives for further exploration.
Details of these potential initiatives will be announced if and when their respective objectives, scope, participation arrangements and other key parameters have been agreed upon by all four organisations.
A Quarterly Leadership Platform
The four organisations agreed that the Leadership Roundtable will continue on a quarterly basis.
The next session is planned for a Sunday in October 2026, with the precise date to be confirmed among the participating organisations.
Holding the roundtable quarterly will provide sufficient continuity to maintain momentum while allowing time between sessions for agreed actions and collaborative initiatives to progress.
This regular engagement is intended to keep communication active at the leadership level and ensure that the Leadership Roundtable develops into a practical and sustainable platform rather than remaining a one-off gathering.
Focused Senior-Level Representation
To preserve the leadership character of the platform, each of the four founding organisations will be represented by two top leaders.
Each organisation may also nominate one additional relevant senior leader to serve as an alternate when either of its two principal representatives is unable to attend.
A quorum will require representation from all four founding organisations:
AACE Malaysia Section
IEM-PMTD
IPMA Malaysia
PMI Malaysia Chapter
This arrangement ensures that discussions and decisions continue to reflect the collective involvement of all four organisations.
Other professional bodies with a relevant connection to project management may be considered for participation in the future. However, the immediate priority is to establish a consistent working rhythm among the four founding organisations and build sufficient momentum before considering any expansion.
Rotational Chairmanship
Another important outcome of the inaugural session was the establishment of a rotational chairmanship.
IPMA Malaysia was recognised as holding the inaugural chairmanship of the Leadership Roundtable. The chairmanship will rotate among the four founding organisations for subsequent sessions, with IEM-PMTD identified to chair the next roundtable in October 2026.
The rotational arrangement reinforces the collective ownership of the platform. It ensures that no single organisation dominates the roundtable and gives every founding body the opportunity to provide leadership, shape the discussion and host future sessions.
Two Potential Joint Initiatives Being Explored
Importantly, the inaugural Leadership Roundtable identified two potential joint initiatives for further exploration.
The four organisations are currently exploring these potential initiatives and working through the necessary parameters, including their intended outcomes, scope, timing, participation and implementation arrangements.
Further details will be announced if and when the initiatives have been sufficiently defined and agreed upon by all four organisations.
This represents a promising early outcome. The value of the Leadership Roundtable will ultimately be demonstrated not only by the quality of its discussions, but also by the practical activities and professional benefits that emerge from the collaboration.
Building Momentum Together
The inaugural session did not attempt to resolve every issue facing the project management profession or create an elaborate new institutional structure.
Instead, it achieved something more fundamental. Four respected professional bodies came together, established direct relationships and agreed on a continuing mechanism for collaboration.
The quarterly schedule, focused senior-level representation, participation of all four founding organisations, rotational chairmanship and exploration of two potential joint initiatives provide a sound foundation for the platform’s next stage.
Malaysia faces increasingly complex projects across infrastructure, energy, construction, technology, sustainability and national development. Strengthening project delivery requires more than individual qualifications, organisational programmes or isolated professional activities. It also requires professional institutions that are willing to communicate, coordinate and collaborate where their interests align.
PXP is honoured to have hosted the inaugural Leadership Roundtable and to have provided a neutral setting for an open and constructive leadership dialogue.
The first roundtable has been successfully completed. The next chairing organisation has been identified, the next session is being planned and two potential joint initiatives are currently being explored.
The momentum has begun.
Because advancing Malaysia’s project management profession is not the responsibility of any one organisation. It is a shared undertaking, for the profession and for the nation.