CONSOLIDATION OF LIGHTNING ELECTRIC FIELDS IN MALAYSIAN ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE

Authors

  • Nor Asrina Binti Ramlee University of Technology Sarawak https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4662-3169
  • Ali Safwan Bin Abdul Salim University of Technology Sarawak
  • Philips Dharmaraj Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Malaysia
  • Benny @ Mohd Azmi Doimin @Mohd Zamlan Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Malaysia

Keywords:

Cloud to ground lightning, Negative return stroke, Lightning electric field, Lightning characteristics

Abstract

Lightning poses serious threats to both onshore and offshore infrastructure, making it essential to understand how cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning electric fields vary across different environments. Focusing on dominant negative CG lightning, this review consolidates Malaysian measurements to analyse regional variations and identify data gaps. Observations reveal a high multiplicity in Malaysian flashes, ranging from 2.6 to 4.1 strokes per flash and up to 15 strokes. Regional comparisons reveal diverse environmental behaviours. Offshore electric field peaks in Kuala Perlis are 27% higher than onshore, which is likely due to the high conductivity of seawater. In contrast, Sarawak's onshore and offshore peaks are practically comparable. However, its average electric field is 2.7 times greater, and its overall waveform durations are 46% longer than those of Johor. These variations demonstrate that no single parameter can reliably distinguish between onshore and offshore lightning across the nation. While datasets from Sarawak, Kuala Perlis, and the Malacca Straits provide preliminary information, thorough measurements are lacking in Sabah and many offshore areas. Ultimately, expanding field measurements across diverse regions is essential to close these knowledge gaps and enhance lightning protection for safeguarding people and infrastructures.

Author Biographies

Nor Asrina Binti Ramlee, University of Technology Sarawak

Nor Asrina Binti Ramlee, PhD is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering and Technology at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Malaysia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4662-3169). She is a researcher and a Head of Energy Cluster in the Centre for Research of Innovation & Sustainable Development (CRISD), UTS. She has produced several research publications in Power Quality, Renewable Energy, Image Processing and Lightning Characteristics Electric Fields. She can be reached through her email at asrina@uts.edu.my.

Ali Safwan Bin Abdul Salim , University of Technology Sarawak

Ali Safwan Bin Abdul Salim is a third-year undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering program at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Malaysia. He is conducting his Final Year Project titled “Characteristics of Lightning Electric Fields Over Onshore and Offshore”. The project focuses on the analysis of first return stroke lightning data from onshore and offshore areas in Sibu, Sarawak. He compares the mean radiated energy and spectral frequency using wavelet analysis in MATLAB.

Philips Dharmaraj, Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Malaysia

Philips Dharmaraj is a Senior Lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Malaysia, and has been part of the Mechatronic Engineering Program since November 2015. Previously, he served as a Lecturer in the Electrical Engineering Department at Kuching Polytechnic (1998–2015) and Mukah Polytechnic (2011–2012). Since 2018, he has been actively involved as a Coach in the Mechatronic field for World Skills Malaysia Belia (WSMB) and Polyskills. His latest publication, titled "Acoustic Performance of AFA Concrete Paver Blocks," was featured in the 10th Edition of the National Creative Design Digest in 2024.

Benny @ Mohd Azmi Doimin @Mohd Zamlan, Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Malaysia

Benny Doimin @ Mohd Azmi Mohd Zamlan is the Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Malaysia. He has extensive experience in electrical engineering education, power systems, and energy-related applications. His professional and research interests include renewable energy systems, energy management, power generation and distribution, and industry–academic collaboration, with particular emphasis on practical implementation and outcome-based education (OBE) in technical and vocational training.

Downloads

Published

26-08-2026

Issue

Vol. 47 No. 2 (2026): Borneo Science Journal Volume 47 (Issue 2), September 2026

Section

Review Article
Total Views: 32 | Total Downloads: 19