National Metrology Laboratory

SIRIM Berhad
Malaysia

The Third Country Training Programme on Strengthening of

Measurement Standards Institutes of Asia Pacific Countries in the
Field of Wavelength Standards

Prepared by:

NAZARIAH MAT DAUD

Mechanical Metrology Section, National Metrology Laboratory, SIRIM Berhad, Sepang,

Malaysia
1. SIRIM BERHAD IN BREIF

SIRIM Berhad, formerly known as the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of
Malaysia (SIRIM), is a corporate organisation owned wholly by the Malaysian Government,
under the Minister of Finance Incorporated. It has been entrusted by the Malaysian
Government to be the national organisation for standards and quality, and as a promoter of
technological excellence in the Malaysian industry. The main headquarters is located in Shah
Alam, Selangor.

The organization came into operation on September 1, 1996 via corporatisation scheme of
standards and industrial research institute, initiated by the government with the vision to be a
corporation of choice for technology and quality.

SIRIM Berhad as the national organization of standardization and quality, and as the prime
mover in industrial research and development acts as a catalyst in bringing about national
economic dynamism through excellence in technology and international acceptance of
Malaysian products and services. Their mission is to enhance their customers’
competitiveness through technology and quality, and fulfill the needs of the shareholders.

2. NATIONAL METROLOGY LABORATORY

The history of the National Metrology Laboratory, (NML) began with the establishment of
the Standards and Measurement Laboratory under the Standards and Industrial Research
Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) in 1975. Its main activities then were the provision of
Measurement and Calibration services to the industries and government agencies. In 1979,
SIRIM was appointed as the Custodian of Weights & Measures by the then Ministry of Trade
under the Weights and Measures Acts 1972. Since then NML has expanded significantly and
taken on the role of the national measurement standards laboratory for the country. The NML
maintains the Malaysian Primary Physical Standards of Measurements based on the SI units
and provides high-end calibration services to accredited laboratories and industries. It
undertakes research on improving measurement accuracy. In 1993, it was delegated the
responsibility to maintain the Malaysian Standard Time following the appointment of SIRIM
as the National Time Keeper. In 1996, SIRIM was corporatized into a government wholly
owned company known as SIRIM Berhad. In July 2004, NML-SIRIM has moved to its new
laboratory building located in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi new township in Sepang about 60
km from its previous location in Shah Alam.
 Figure 1: NML-SIRIM New building in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang

3. ORGANIZATION CHART OF NML

SENIOR GENERAL MANAGER

SENIOR GENERAL TECHNICAL

MANAGER’S COORDINATION

•Administration •Quality Management

•Finance •Technical Coordination
•Planning & Budgeting •Customer Service Affair
•Human Resources •Promotion & Publication
•OSHE

ELECTRICAL SECTION MECHANICAL SECTION THERMOPHYSICAL FLOW CHEMISTRY SECTION

• DC Voltage, Resistance &
Current
• AC Voltage & Current
• AC-DC Transfer
• Power & Energy
• Capacitance, Inductance &
AC
Resistance
• Magnetics
• Voltage & Current
Transformers
• Time & Frequency
•
SECTION SECTION
• Mass • Resistance Thermometry • Low Pressure Gas • Gas Standard Mixtures
• Density - Solid • Radiation Thermometry • Metal and Non-Metal
• Medium & High
• Wavelength Standards • Thermocouple Thermometry • Pressure Gas
Analysis
• Dimension & Angle • Humidity • Electro-Chemistry
Standards
• Static Liquid • Surface Analysis
• Density - Liquid • Dynamic Liquid
• Surface Texture & Form • Viscosity • Characterization of
• Engineering & Coordinate Pure Organic Substance
Measurements
• Pressure & Vacuum
• Force & Torque
• Hardness
Figure 2: Organization Chart
The present organization structure of the NML is headed by a Senior General Manager and
divided into 5 Technical Sections, 2 non Technical Sections as follows:

Senior General Manager’s Office (Secretariat)

Quality and Technical Coordination Section

Mechanical Metrology Section

Electrical Metrology Section

Thermophysical Metrology Section

Flow Metrology Section

Chemistry Metrology section

With the increasing importance of chemical measurement traceability, a Special Projects unit
is established under the Senior General Manager’s office to set up the necessary standards and
infrastructure for Metrology in Chemistry.

The present staff strength consists of 6 Management Group, 70 technical staff, 18 technical
support staff and 13 administrative and secretariat support staff.

4. NML’S CORE ACTIVITIES

As the national measurement standards laboratory of the country, the main activities of NML
involve:
• Establishment, maintenance and dissemination of national measurement standards to
ensure uniform and traceable measurement throughout Malaysia.
• Coordination of APLAC Proficiency Testing Programs in all measurement fields.
• High-end calibration of measurement standards and measuring instruments.
• Verification of mandatory equipment as required by law.
• Development of laboratory for upgrading and improvement.
• Provision of consultation services on measurement technologies to industries.
• Provision of metrological training to industries.
• Participation in international comparison of measurement standards.
• Participation in international and regional collaboration in all measurement fields under
the APMP, APLMF, ITIT, and other international programs.

5. JOB DESCRIPTIONS

• In charge of Length (Dimensional) Metrology Laboratory and maintaining national

standards for the parameters of gauge block, diameter standard and wavelength
standard
• Help maintain the NML’s (especially Dimensional Laboratories) Quality System:
• Disseminate traceability of length measurement to the Industries
• Provide calibration as well as consultancy services to accredited laboratories &
industries
• Conduct training in the area of engineering metrology for accredited laboratories
and industries.
6. MALAYSIA IN BRIEF

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia that consists of thirteen states and three Federal
Territories, with a total landmass of 329,845 square kilometres (127,354 sq mi). The capital
city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The population
stands at over 28 million inhabitants. The country is separated into two regions, Peninsular
Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, by the South China Sea. Malaysia borders Thailand,
Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. The country is located near the equator and experiences a
tropical climate. Malaysia is well-endowed with natural resources in areas such as agriculture,
forestry and minerals. In terms of agriculture, Malaysia is one of the top exporters of natural
rubber and palm oil, which together with sawn logs and sawn timber, cocoa, pepper,
pineapple and tobacco dominate the growth of the sector. Palm oil is also a major generator of
foreign exchange.

Figure 3: Malaysia’s flag Figure 4: Malaysia’s Coat of Arms Figure 5: Putrajaya

Figure 6: Map of Malaysia

7. GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy. The federal head of state of Malaysia
is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as the King of Malaysia and the head of
government is the Prime Minister. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected to a five-year term
among the nine hereditary Sultans of the Malay states; the other four states, which have titular
Governors, do not participate in the selection.

Figure 7: King of Malaysia Figure 8: Prime Minister of Malaysia

The system of government in Malaysia is closely modeled on that of Westminster

parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule. Since independence in 1957, Malaysia
has been governed by a multi-party coalition known as the Barisan Nasional (formerly known
as the Alliance).

Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. The bicameral parliament
consists of the lower house, the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (literally the
"Chamber of the People") and the upper house, the Senate or Dewan Negara (literally the
"Chamber of the Nation"). The 222-member House of Representatives are elected from
single-member constituencies that are drawn based on population for a maximum term of five
years. All 70 Senators sit for three-year terms; 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies, two
representing the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur, one each from federal territories of
Labuan and Putrajaya, and 40 are appointed by the king. Besides the Parliament at the federal
level, each state has a unicameral state legislative chamber (Malay: Dewan Undangan Negeri)
whose members are elected from single-member constituencies. Parliamentary elections are
held at least once every five years, with the last general election being in March 2008.
Registered voters of age 21 and above may vote for the members of the House of
Representatives and in most of the states, the state legislative chamber as well. Voting is not
compulsory.
8. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society. The population is 28

million. Figures from 2007 show the population consisting of 62% Bumiputeras (including
Indigenous people), 24% Chinese, 8% Indians, with other minorities along with foreigners
(mostly semi-skilled workers). Ethnic tensions have been volatile in recent months in tandem
with the rising temperature of the political scenario in the country.

The Malays, who form the largest community, are defined as Muslims in the Constitution of
Malaysia. The Malays play a dominant role politically and are included in a grouping
identified as bumiputra. Their native language is Malay (Bahasa Malaysia), which is the
national language of the country. However, English is also widely spoken in major towns and
cities across the country.

Figure 9: Malaysia truly asia

Figure 10: Malaysia economic growth

Malaysia is also one of the region's top education and healthcare destinations. Malaysia is
recognised as a newly industrialised country. In 2008, GDP per capita (PPP) of Malaysia
stands at US$14,215, ranking her 48th in the world, and 2nd in Southeast Asia, lagging far
behind neighbouring Singapore, the only developed economy in Southeast Asia, with a GDP
per capita (PPP) of US$49,288, ranking 3rd in the world. By comparison, Thailand has a per
capita income of US$7,703 (ranked 81st) and Indonesia with US$3,975 (ranked 106th).

9. BASIC DATA OF MONITORING AND CONTROL POLICIES/ MEASURES FOR

ACID DEPOSITION

The Malaysian acid deposition monitoring network comprises of 22 stations of which 17 are
located in Peninsular Malaysia, 2 in Sabah, 1 in Labuan and 2 in Sarawak. All these stations
are equipped with automatic wet-only samplers to collect rainwater samples over a prescribed
period of time. The sampling frequency selected for wet deposition sampling is weekly. The
samples are then chemically analyzed for the following elements : calcium, lead, manganese,
iron, nickel, sodium, copper, magnesium, zinc, mercury, potassium, sulphate, nitrate, chloride,
fluoride and ammonium. The conductivity and pH of the rainwater is also measured.

Additional instrumentation are located at selected stations such as Petaling Jaya and Tanah
Rata. At these sites the concentrations of acid gases are measured using passive and active
samplers and aerosol samples are collected with a low volume particulate sampler for
determination of chemical composition.

The data obtained is used to document the status of air quality and pollution trends in the
country. In the highly urbanized and industrialized areas, this information will assist policy
makers in planning environmental management strategies. The data is also widely used by
researchers and students to better understand the atmospheric acidification issue in the tropics.

Figure 11: Air Pollution Monitoring Station in Malaysia

10. ORGANIZATION RELATED TO CONTROL POLICIES/ MEASURES FOR
MEASUREMENT STANDARDS

The National Measurement System Act 2007 (Act 675) was approved by the Malaysian
Government on 17 July 2007. STANDARDS MALAYSIA played an important role in
preparing the proposal of the Act to Malaysian Cabinet.

The Act, which is governed by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI),
coordinates the national measurement system by prescribing the use of uniform units of
measurements based on International System of Units (S.I), and providing a coherent
approach in establishing the traceability of measurements. It aims to enhance the country’s
measurement infrastructure and help to facilitate and widen the trade of Malaysian goods in
the international market.

The scope of the national measurement system covers all measurements made in Malaysia for
any legal purposes including for health, safety, forensic and environmental. While trade
measurements also fall under the scope, it is also subjected to the provisions of the Weight
and Measures Act 1972

In 2008, several promotional programmes have been planned to help disseminate information
about the Act. To date, promotional programmes have been held with the relevant agencies
under Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications and MOSTI.

11. PROBLEM IN METROLOGY SYSTEM

One of the current problems faced in Malaysia is the enforcement and verification of most
common public utilities such as meters and billing systems for electricity, water, vehicle
parking, and telecommunication services such as cellular and landline phones, are not well
established. The programmes will faicilate to strengthen the verification of measurement
systems in public utilities used nationwide and restore consumer confidence so that they may
expect fair charges.

Medical devices and instruments used in health care services such as sphygmomanometer
(used to measure blood pressure), thermometers, and hearing aids should also be regulated
under the Act. This is vital in ensuring that a high quality service is consistently provided to
patients. As such, a promotional programme scheduled to be held with the Ministry of Health
in September 2008, is expected to raise awareness in the health sector of the need for accurate
and verifiable measurements. Also planned for 2008 are promotional programmes for
regulatory bodies in Sabah.
12. WORK IN RELATION WITH MEASUREMENT STANDARDS IN ASIA
PACIFIC

• Undertake Asia Pacific Metrology Programme on Diameter Standards (2010)

• Undertake Proficiency Testing for Plug Gauge and Ring Gauge. Assist Principal
Metrologist in identifying artefact, prepare technical specification, process purchase,
prepare measurement protocol and instructions.

• Arrange with Admin section to import and re-export artefacts as scheduled. Conduct
measurements and process data and submit to pilot lab for bilateral comparison with
NMIJ-Plug Gauge and Ring Gauge

• Preparation of technical specs, technical protocol, and discussions with Department of

Standard Malaysia on Proficiency Testing of Length-Gauge blocks, Diameter-Plug
Gauge and Ring Gauge.

• Conduct Measurement Audit when requested by Department of Standard Malaysia.

Analyze result and prepare reports and follow-up actions.

13. IDEAS OF IMPROVEMENT

• Enhancement of Collaboration with other NMIs

Keen to establish more collaboration with other national metrology institutes to
develop technical expertise and competency. Through discussions from expert and
others participant in the collaborations, will obtain more understanding and useful
inputs in order to calculate uncertainties and more important is to recognize the
sources of uncertainty itself.

• Staff Development
The importance of training is to upgrade and improve the technical competency and
capability. Get more knowledge with better understanding about the precise
measurement and calibration method for wavelength standards.