Dispelling nuclear stigma: Women lead operations at Triga Puspati reactor

 

The Triga Puspati Reactor, Malaysia’s only nuclear research reactor, is not just unique in terms of technology, but also stands out for being operated by a group of women experts and recognised internationally.

Operating a nuclear reactor is no easy task, as it involves complex systems and requires a very high level of expertise, discipline, and strict adherence to safety standards.

Malaysiakini recently had the opportunity to meet three women who lead operations at the Triga Puspati reactor at the Reactor Technology Centre, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, in Bangi, Selangor - Hasniyati Razi, 38; Norfarizan Said, 44; and Zaredah Hashim, 40.

They shared the realities of their career as nuclear reactor operators and researchers, while dispelling public misconceptions about nuclear technology.

ADS

According to Norfarizan, one of the biggest challenges for women in the field is the demand for a high level of technical mastery, particularly in mathematics and nuclear physics.

“The nuclear field requires very deep technical understanding. We have to keep learning continuously and maintain a high level of focus,” said the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) PhD graduate.

(From left to right) Hasniyati Razi, Norfarizan Said, and Zaredah Hashim

Beyond the technical demands, women in highly specialised scientific fields such as nuclear technology often contend with entrenched gender biases that question their competence before their credentials.

Globally, science and engineering remain male-dominated spaces, where women are frequently required to prove themselves repeatedly, navigate stereotypes about aptitude, and push back against assumptions that they are less suited for high-stakes or technically intensive roles. 

Many female STEM grads, but minute representation

In January this year, Social & Economic Research Initiative (Seri) chairperson Nurul Izzah Anwar said that women make up 53.2 percent of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates in Malaysia, yet account for only 20 percent of the workforce in the energy sector.

“The gender pay gap still persists, and many leadership positions remain difficult for women to attain. Encouragingly, STEM participation rose to 50.83 percent in 2024, up from 41.84 percent in 2019.

“However, more concerted efforts are needed to achieve the target of 60,000 skilled Malaysian engineers as outlined in the National Semiconductor Strategy,” Utusan Malaysia reported her saying.

According to the World Economic Forum, women made up only 28.2 percent of the STEM global workforce in 2024. In non-STEM fields, women comprised 47.3 percent.

According to the Unesco Institute for Statistics, women accounted for 31.1 percent of science and engineering researchers and research and development personnel worldwide in 2022, up from 29.4 percent in 2012. 

Despite this gradual increase, a significant gender gap persists across the global research and development workforce.

Strenuous safety requirements

For the women at Triga Puspati, therefore, professional rigour, continuous learning, and strict adherence to international standards have become not only requirements of the job, but also means of ensuring they are recognised first and foremost for their capability.

Beyond intellectual challenges, Norfarizan, who hails from Kota Tinggi, Johor, said safety is also a key priority, especially for women with families.

The Triga Puspati Reactor

“As women, we are more cautious because we deal with radioactive materials. Every safety procedure must be strictly followed to ensure there is no risk of radiation exposure,” explained the mother of three.

Meanwhile, Hasniyati said all reactor operators are licensed under international standards, and the licences must be renewed every three years through written examinations, operational assessments, and re-interviews.

“This is to ensure competency levels are always at the highest standard, because reactor safety depends heavily on the operator’s capability,” said the Sungai Petani, Kedah native.

Zaredah, a research officer with the Technical Support Division, said that to operate the Triga Puspati reactor, an operator must undergo a long and rigorous training process.

“Training begins with classes lasting three weeks to one month, followed by six months of practical training.

“After that, candidates must pass a written examination with a minimum score of 90 percent, a walk-through exercise, and an operational examination,” said the Johor Bahru-born officer.

The entire process, explained the mother of three, takes more than a year before an operator’s licence is issued.

“This is because reactor safety depends greatly on the operator’s efficiency and discipline,” added Zaredah, a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) graduate.

Nuclear does not mean ‘bomb’

Hasniyati stressed that the most common misconception among the public is equating nuclear technology with atomic bombs or tragedies such as Hiroshima and Fukushima in Japan.

“When people come to visit our reactor, they can see for themselves that the safety systems are very strict. Research reactors like Triga Puspati are small-scale and designed with multiple safety features,” said the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) PhD graduate.

She added that the reactor has been in operation for more than 40 years without any major incidents, and is audited annually by the Atomic Energy Department and monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The International Atomic Energy Agency

“All staff have their radiation levels monitored, including pregnant women who are subject to safe dosage limits. Nuclear is not a bomb - it is a scientific technology that is safe when operated according to procedures,” she said.

Women’s health concerns

They said one question frequently raised by the public concerns the long-term health effects, particularly fertility, for women who operate nuclear machinery.

Addressing this, Norfarizan stressed that safety and health monitoring are always prioritised, with regular medical check-ups conducted every year.

“All of us undergo full medical examinations at the hospital every year, and so far it has been confirmed that there are no health problems or fertility issues,” she explained.

“Safety is not just guidelines on paper, but a daily work culture for us,” she added.

All three agreed that women should not be afraid to venture into the nuclear field, even though it is often perceived as a high-risk career.

“This field is not only for nuclear engineers. Backgrounds in physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and materials science are also very much needed,” Norfarizan added.

They said a career in nuclear science offers international training and exposure opportunities, as well as the satisfaction of contributing to the country’s technological development.

“If you enjoy learning new things and want a career that is challenging yet meaningful, nuclear is a field well worth exploring,” said Hasniyati. - Mkini

Malaysia skirts typhoon threat

 

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is generally safe from the direct formation of tropical storms due to the country’s close location to the equator, which is an area with a very weak Coriolis force, says the Malaysian Meteorological Depart­ment (MetMalaysia).

The Coriolis force makes things such as planes or currents of air traveling long distances around the Earth appear to move at a curve as opposed to a straight line.

Its director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip told The Star that without sufficient Coriolis force, tropical storms have difficulty rotating and developing into a strong system, namely a typhoon.

“Under certain circumstances, tropical storms can still potentially exist in the country’s waters, such as Tropical Storm Senyar, which hit the country’s waters near Selangor and Negri Sembilan on Nov 28.

“This tropical storm caused continuous rain and strong winds for areas near the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

“Tropical storms usually form in the Pacific Ocean, moving westwards across the Philippines and then turning northeastwards as they approach the Asian mainland. Tropical depressions that form in the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca are rare but can still occur and affect Malaysia,” he said.

Previously, Malaysia has been hit by direct tropical storms – Dec 26, 1996 (Tropical Storm Greg) in western Sabah and five years later (Typhoon Vamei), which occurred in the south of the penin­sula.

MetMalaysia uses a numerical weather prediction model (NWP-Numerical Prediction Model) in forecasting severe weather and warnings.

This model has taken into account all the parameters (such as wind direction and speed, air pressure, air temperature, air humidity) required to make weather forecasts and warnings in the next seven days.

The presence of continuous episodes of heavy rainfall caused by monsoon trough (an area of low pressure) during the northeast monsoon is also monitored using numerical weather prediction models, which are ultimately interpreted to make forecasts and warnings.

'CLICK TO ENLARGE'

When asked about the most common storms in Malaysia, Mohd Hisham said thunderstorms occur throughout the year, especially in the evening to the night during the monsoon transition phase.

A thunderstorm is associated with the presence of lightning and thunder accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain from the formation of cumulonimbus clouds (heavy dense clouds).

“If the formation of such clouds are very large, extreme weather such as tornadoes and hail can occur.

“Apart from that, there is also the squall line, a band of thunderstorms that can stretch for hundreds of kilometres. This squall line can bring heavy rain and strong winds to the west coast of the Peninsula, northern Sarawak and western Sabah, especially in the early morning,” he added.

Additionally, Mohd Hisham said if a low-pressure weather system forms near the Malaysian region, it can become a tropical depression and then develop into a tropical storm.

In suitable atmospheric conditions, a tropical storm can become a typhoon, which is the highest category of tropical storm.

“Although the weather conditions in Malaysia are expected to improve over the next few days, there is no specific time frame to predict when the next episode may occur.

“This is because episodes of continuous heavy rain occur if there is a monsoon trough accompanied by moist air entering the country’s region,” he added.

Mohd Hisham said Met­Malaysia will continue to monitor the situation and issue continuous heavy rain warnings if there are signs of severe weather.

“The intensity of heavy rain episodes depends on the strength of the monsoon, the presence of low pressure areas and air humidity in our region,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department is on standby and ready to respond in the event of extreme weather conditions or disasters.

“Our preparations to face the storm are subjected to the expected severity and the size of the area involved.

“From the aspect of logistical preparations, we are ready and it is closely related to cross-district and state mobilisation,” director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said.

More details on forecasts and weather warnings can be obtained via www.met.gov.my, myCuaca mobile application, official social media and the MetMalaysia hotline 1-300-22-1638. - Star