Well how do you like the look of the new Masthead of Berita IKM? For the more observant members among you, you may have observed that we have added "Chemistry In Malaysia" as a limb to Berita IKM.

So what is such a big deal with this? It would not be if it is merely a title and remains as one. However Council members, who have been deliberating on changes to Berita IKM for almost a year now and are cautious of the implication of the new title to our present in-house newsletter, are also won over by the vast potential of Berita IKM of being a powerful mouthpiece of IKM to the profession of Chemistry in Malaysia.

The consensus among IKM Council Members is that there is a need to put some life in Berita IKM and change its outlook. As much as the country is moving towards fulfilling its Vision 2020, chemistry as our Profession is changing rapidly to meet those challenges in developing Malaysia. Berita IKM needs to be playing a vocal role in this vibrant movement of change now.

IKM has the right and privilege of fulfilling its mandate to society in the Chemists Act 1975, i.e. to represent the profession and to promote the interests of Chemistry in Malaysia. By including "Chemistry In Malaysia", in the masthead of our newsletter, IKM is only in reality asserting its ownership and proprietary commitment to CHEMISTRY IN MALAYSIA.

Berita IKM together with "Chemistry In Malaysia" will appear in tandem in the mastheads of the year 2003 issues. It will be a quarterly magazine with the first issue in March 2003.

BERITA IKM-CHEMISTRY IN MALAYSIA will serve IKM and keep its membership of close to 2000 and growing in Malaysia and overseas of news in IKM and feature articles and advertorials relating to Chemistry in Malaysia. The magazine will also be extended to other professional bodies, universities, libraries and the public, increasing its circulation as the importance of CHEMISTRY IN MALAYSIA grows and grows.

To align with the changes and the new outlook, BERITA IKM-CHEMISTRY IN MALAYSIA will, without prejudice, seek to present itself as:

1. A NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE that can help Chemical Industries in the Service and Manufacturing sectors in Malaysia to promote the quality and capacity of their services and products. Advertisements and advertorials appearing in BERITA IKM-CHEMISTRY IN MALAYSIA have the added value of association with IKM and direct access to its membership, its affiliates and its associates.

2. A RALLYING POINT FOR VISION 2020 for our Laboratories, R & D facilities and Industries in Chemistry and Chemical Sciences. They can share their experiences and expertise in building innovative and world-class products and services here in our very own country. We take pride in "Malaysia Boleh" and of what our chemists and the professions of chemistry can do to raise the standard and quality of life in our country and the excellence of CHEMISTRY IN MALAYSIA.

3. A PARTNER with the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, Malaysia (MOSTE) and other Ministries, Government Departments and Agencies, Universities, Private and Statutory bodies in the promotion of S & T in general and chemistry and chemical services in particular.

4. A FORUM for our members to write in to share their work and experiences, provide advice and generally to make a difference with their knowledge in Chemistry and Chemical knowledge in promoting the interest of "Chemistry In Malaysia".

Hopefully in time and with support from members and friends of IKM, this magazine will be simply and truely "CHEMISTRY IN MALAYSIA" and circulated not only in Malaysia but included as one of the exporting products of Malaysian Vision 2020.

• The issue of Berita IKM - Chemistry in Malaysia, issues No.73 was published recently in January 2004. The contents of this issue includes:

  • article on... Analytical Separations: Recent Trends in Chromatography by Mohd Marsin Sanagi & See Hong Heng

  • article on... Environmental Concern - Minicipal Sewage Sludge:
    What can we do with it? by Umi Kalthom Ahmad, Zaini Ujang & Chong H. Woon

  • article on... An Overview of OSHSAS 18001: 1999 Occupational Health & Safety Management System by S. Raja

  • Report on FACS 12th General Assembly held in Hanoi, 20 October 2003

  • Report on 10th Asian Chemical Congress (10ACC) held in Hanoi,20-24 October 2003

  • Write-up on new FELLOWs of IKM, 2003

  • New Members of IKM

  • 2003 IKM Laboratory Excellence Award Recipients

  • A series of talks on CATIS (Chemistry & Technology Information Series to be held throughout 2004

  • A series of Laboratory Quality Management (LQM) workshops/shourt courses to be held throughout 2004

  • Notice of AGM, 27 March 2004

• The issue of Berita IKM-Chemistry in Malaysia, issue No.72 was published in October 2003.

• The issue of Berita IKM-Chemistry in Malaysia, issue No.71 was published in June 2003.

• The issue of Berita IKM-Chemistry in Malaysia, issue No.70 was published in March 2003. This issue highlights on the Annual Report for 2002/2003.

Circular 1 of 2004
The IKM General Circulars was sent to all members recently mainly to notify the members of new the Council Members, committees/sections chairmen, Application for Merit Awards, Travel Grants, AGM Highlights, IKM Membership Examination, Fellowship & others.

Publication Committee