New forensic laboratory opens in Bintulu

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Madius (back row centre) and the representatives of the five branches that received the recognition of  American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation Board-International.

Madius (back row centre) and the representatives of the five branches that received the recognition of American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation Board-International.

BINTULU: The new Forensic Building of the Department of Chemistry Malaysia (Kimia Malaysia) Bintulu branch laboratory will play a significant role and be able to provide better forensic science services in the division.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau said the new forensic building which cost approximately RM16.5 million was constructed in 2012 and completed in August 2014.

“This new forensic building features state-of-the-art design and lab equipment and this new facility will give a boost to the staff of the department to further enhance their service delivery to the local community,” he said when declaring open the building yesterday.

He believed that Kimia Malaysia through its analysis services would remain relevant in supporting the government’s vision in ensuring the safety and welfare of the people to be protected and become a developed nation by 2020.

Kimia Malaysia, he said, was always committed to their task and willing to provide analytical services to the rural areas in the state if needed.

Throughout the years, Kimia Malaysia has been providing excellent and efficient services to its customers through 13 laboratories including in Bintulu which is the eight branch in the country and the second of three laboratories in Sarawak.

“The Bintulu laboratory is compatible with the current requirement of Bintulu as the centre of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) project area,” he said.

He said the Bintulu laboratory provides scientific services that include chemical analysis of civil and criminal related cases such as identification and analysis of dangerous drugs, human and animal poisoning, water and sewage, food including raw and processed food, microbiological analysis of water and food and smuggling and taxation of imported and exported goods utilising the latest technologies.

He added that local experts from the department had been given recognition locally and internationally.

In 2014, two forensic officers of Kimia Malaysia were involved in the search and examination of the MH17 plane which was shot down in Ukraine and identification of victims’ next-of-kin in the Netherlands.

Madius said it was the government’s intention for all government agencies to have an efficient management system and emphasising on high quality service delivery.

The Chemistry Bintulu branch laboratory has been recognised and accredited by the Department of Standards Malaysia through Accreditation Certification ISO9001:2008 Certification and Accreditation SAMM ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for non-forensic analysis services.

The Forensic Division of Kimia Malaysia has been accredited to the ASCLD/LAB (American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board) since 19 October 2005.

The Division is accredited in the disciplines of Controlled Substances, Toxicology, Biology (Serology and DNA), Firearms/Toolmarks and Questioned Documents.

This year, five more branches namely Sabah Kota Kinabalu, Kuching Sarawak, Perak, Melaka and Terengganu have been audited and accorded the accreditation.

Also present at the ceremony were Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunication) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, MOSTI deputy secretary general Dr Zulkifli Mohamed Hashim, Kimia Malaysia director general Ismail Talib and its Bintulu branch director Sidek Ahmad.