Legislations on Biosecurity: Compliance Challenges for Malaysian Scientists

Abstract

Abstract Malaysia is one of the State Parties to the Biological Toxins and Weapons Convention (BTWC), which was signed in 1972 and ratified in 1991. National legislation governing laboratory biosecurity is in progress. The Malaysian BTWC Bill, when implemented, will require all organizations working with infectious organisms to develop institutional biorisk policies and implement biorisk management programs to address laboratory biosafety and biosecurity at the workplace. Laboratory biosecurity is a relatively new and evolving paradigm for bioscience laboratories in Malaysia. Compliance with this legislation is a significant challenge and requires major change to organizational and workplace culture. Successful implementation would also require awareness training, resources, and a culture of responsibility among scientists.