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Facility Management & Technical Team

The Facility Management and Technical Team at the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) oversees the design, construction, and maintenance of SIDC’s state-of-the-art research hub, this team ensures the facility meets the highest standards for safety, functionality, and innovation.

Key responsibilities include managing the purpose-built laboratory complex, which houses specialized facilities such as a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory, microbiology labs, advanced imaging equipment, and other critical tools for studying infectious agents. The team ensures these facilities are optimally designed, maintained, and upgraded to support groundbreaking scientific work.

By providing a robust infrastructure and technical expertise, the Facility Management and Technical Team ensures a seamless operational environment to facilitate the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

Chief Operating Officer (Acting)

Dr. John Panil

A Civil Engineer by profession, Ir Dr John Panil started his career with the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Sarawak in 1981. In 1984, he joined the Development Bank of Malaysia as a project officer.

In 1988, he joined Borneo Development Corporation (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (BDC) as a project engineer, a Sarawak government-linked company involved in real estate development, construction and project management. Ir John retired from BDC in 2021 after having served as the General Manager of the company for 10 years.

In 2022, Ir John was appointed as an engineer with the Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) to assist overseeing the planning and development of the proposed Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC). His contract with SRDC is until early 2026.

Ir John was appointed as the Acting Chief Operating Officer of Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre Sdn Bhd in January 2024.

Engineer

Steven Joel anak Total

Mr. Steven Joel is our engineer.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and is a Certified Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM).

An individual with a strong desire to learn, he is passionate about expanding his knowledge and skills in Mechanical Engineering, particularly in equipment installation, maintenance, and facility management.

He aims to broaden his expertise in this field by pursuing a well-rounded education that integrates both theoretical and practical components. He is committed to contributing to the advancement of equipment facility management and engineering practices in Sarawak and beyond.

Electrical Engineer

Harnetta Hashleynna

Harnetta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Systems Engineering and Master of Engineering (Electrical Power) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). She is a registered engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). 

With a strong foundation in electrical systems and infrastructure, she is passionate about facilities management, particularly in the areas of power distribution, preventive maintenance, and energy efficiency. She continuously seeks opportunities to broaden her technical expertise and apply innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges. 

By leveraging her expertise in electrical systems and facility management, she is committed to enhancing SIDC’s infrastructure and contributing to the achievement of its mission and vision. 

Engineering Assistant

Erwin Thomas Jain

Graduated from the International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (ICATS) in 2011, Erwin has over ten years of experience in various construction projects and as an assistant electrical engineer at a local engineering consultant. He possesses a strong technical background in engineering and M&E design services.  

 

After joining SIDC, Erwin foresaw that facility management could be his next career path, and he pursued a bachelor’s degree in project and facility management. Given the opportunity to join the SIDC FM team during the early construction stage, Erwin gained valuable experience throughout the years of SIDC building construction. His technical expertise, supported by his degree in project and facility management, has made him a valuable asset to SIDC. 

ICT Executive

Brandon Lim Tuong Shiu

Brandon Lim Tuong Shiu is the ICT Executive at the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC), a research institute dedicated to advancing infectious disease science and innovation. In his role, Brandon oversees the planning, implementation, and management of ICT systems that underpin SIDC’s research activities, ensuring operational efficiency, data security, and digital resilience. He is responsible for safeguarding critical research infrastructure through robust cybersecurity frameworks, ICT governance, and standardization across systems and processes.

Brandon brings extensive professional experience across both public and private sectors. At Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), he contributed to government-linked digital transformation projects, focusing on ICT service delivery and enterprise-level systems.
He further enhanced his expertise as an ICT consultant with Tecforte Sdn Bhd and LinkAxia, specializing in network security, system integration, and organizational ICT resilience. These experiences have equipped him with strong capabilities in supporting research environments with secure and reliable ICT ecosystems.

He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science (Cyber Security and Networks) from SEGi College Sarawak, in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. With a strong foundation in cybersecurity and ICT governance, Brandon is committed to supporting SIDC’s mission as a research institute by ensuring that its digital infrastructure remains secure, reliable, and adaptable to the evolving needs of infectious disease research and innovation.

Engineering Assistant (Mechanical)

Girie Martine

Girie holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and is currently furthering his studies part-time in the same field at UTM Space. His strong academic foundation in engineering principles provides a solid base for his practical and technical capabilities. 

He possesses extensive hands-on experience in plant commissioning, preventive maintenance, and technical troubleshooting. In addition to his strong mechanical background, he is also skilled in electrical systems, enhancing his ability to address a wide range of technical issues. He is proficient in overseeing maintenance activities, managing equipment reliability, and implementing comprehensive safety procedures. 

Girie is prepared to contribute to SIDC by applying his combined mechanical and electrical expertise to facility maintenance, system optimisation, and safety compliance. His proactive attitude and commitment to continuous learning make him well-suited to support and enhance SIDC’s facility management objectives.