Curtin Malaysia collaborates with ACS Malaysia Chapter and Institut Kimia Malaysia to host chemical security and safety workshop

Miri – 1 September 2023 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently collaborated with the American Chemical Society (ACS) Malaysia Chapter and Institut Kimia Malaysia (Malaysian Institute of Chemistry) to host a Chemical Security and Safety Workshop for Academia and Industrial Practitioners.

The three-day workshop, which was supported by the US State Department’s Chemical Security Program (CSP) and Defense Threat Reduction Agency, was aimed at enhancing knowledge and promoting best practices in chemical security and safety among academia and industrial practitioners across Malaysia. Held at the Swiss-Garden Hotel Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur, it was attended by 25 participants from polytechnics, public and private universities, and industries across Malaysia.

Through a series of interactive sessions, expert speakers and experienced professionals shared their insights on chemical safety and security, including threats and mitigation. Leading the workshop was Dr. Maurice Payne, a researcher and senior member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dr. Payne is involved in developing standards and guidelines for chemical safety and security for the US State Department.

The workshop also featured two high-profile speakers from the Department of Chemistry, Malaysia, Dr. Raja Subramaniam and Dr. Mohd. Rafiq Sulaiman.

Dr. Raja holds a PhD in chemical weapon agent analysis from FOI, the Swedish Defence Research Agency, and manages activities related to chemical weapons convention, chemical weapons analysis, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) matters at the Department of Chemistry, Malaysia. In 2017, he was involved in the high-profile North Korean murder case at KLIA2 where he identified the nerve agent used in the incident. In 2019, he assumed the position of Undersecretary of Malaysia’s National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC). He has also served as a national inspector since 2005, and Chairman of the National Scientific Advisory Board of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) since 2020.

Dr. Mohd. Rafiq, meanwhile, holds a PhD from Imperial College London specialising in analytical chemistry. He is currently Scientific Officer in the Department of Chemistry, Malaysia, responsible for identification of toxic chemicals under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act and OSH Management System, in addition to overseeing the department’s Quality Management System.

The workshop project director, who is also Assistant Treasurer of the ACS Malaysia Chapter and Head of the Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering at Curtin Malaysia, Professor Ir. Ts. Stephanie Chan, said the workshop was a timely effort to address the increasing importance of chemical safety in Malaysia.

“Chemical safety and security are paramount in ensuring the well-being of individuals and the protection of the environment. Through this collaboration, we aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their respective fields while adhering to the highest safety standards,” she said.

Prof. Ir. Ts. Stephanie Chan added that she was delighted to see the participation of representatives from various institutions across Malaysia, and honoured to have Dr. Payne fly in all the way from the United States to conduct the workshop, not to mention the distinguished speakers Dr. Raja and Dr. Mohd. Rafiq, who provided valuable insights into chemical threats. She also thanked the US State Department and Defense Threat Reduction Agency, as well as Curtin Malaysia, for their support.

To know more about Curtin Malaysia, visit www.curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Dr Raja Subramaniam, Dr Maurice Payne, Dr Mohd Rafiq Sulaiman and Prof Ir Ts Stephanie Chan (seated 3rd, 4th, 6th & 8th left respectively), and workshop participants in group photo.