Kimia Malaysia Debuts High-tech Mobile Lab At National Day Parade

By Nur Natasha Aida Ismail

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- For the first time, the Department of Chemistry Malaysia’s (KIMIA Malaysia) specially designed mobile laboratory, built for rapid response to chemical disasters and threats, was showcased at the 2025 National Day parade at Dataran Putrajaya today.

The high-tech mobile laboratory, capable of analysing chemical samples in the field, is the first of its kind in Asia and made its debut in the KIMIA Malaysia contingent led by Muhammad Yazid Ibrahim and accompanied by 60 chemists.

Its director-general Marhayani Md Saad said the asset was procured under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to strengthen the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNe) Response Team established in October 2022.

“This laboratory was acquired following the Sungai Kim-Kim pollution incident and the air pollution incident in Taman Mawar, Pasir Gudang, Johor, in 2019. From those incidents, we found there were constraints as samples took a long time to reach the laboratory from the scene.

“So after that, we proposed to the government to acquire this laboratory so it could go to the field, collect and analyse samples, and provide faster results,” she told Bernama.

Marhayani said the mobile laboratory could accommodate about five chemists at any one time and is equipped with an analysis room, an equipment room, a drone, and a Second Sight stand-off gas cloud detector capable of detecting chemical vapour clouds within a five-kilometre radius.

“Time is critical in chemical pollution incidents because immediate analysis enables us to provide a preliminary report to determine the type of pollution and help the Health Ministry provide early treatment to those affected.

“Rapid sample analysis is also crucial in assessing the safety level of the affected area and conducting risk assessments at the scene,” she said.

She added that the strategic asset has yet to be fully deployed, and a baseline study is currently being carried out in industrial areas around Petaling Jaya using the lab.

“This study is important so that when pollution occurs, we already have baseline readings for normal levels and can determine the severity of contamination. We will also conduct such studies in other areas from time to time,” she said.

A total of 81 contingents involving 14,062 participants took part in the parade and procession, which also featured 21 marching bands, seven decorated vehicles, 508 land and air assets, and 116 service animals.

-- BERNAMA