KUCHING: The proposed research centre on infectious diseases which will be set up near the Bio-Industrial Park in Kota Samarahan is a timely move by the state government.
Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said the establishment of the research centre would not only make Sarawak a leader in infectious diseases research in Southeast Asia, but also a contributor to global health in finding a cure and vaccine for infectious diseases.
“The spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, which started at the end of 2019 until now, has caused many developed countries in the world to seek and produce vaccines which is now still the process of testing and yet to be commercialised.
“As such, the situation has prompted the Sarawak government to be involved in this infectious disease research activities based on the capabilities and resources available in the state.
“There are many natural resources in the state’s tropical forest that can be explored and their potentials exploited to produce vaccines for infectious diseases,” said Dr Hazland when commenting on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s announcement last Wednesday that Sarawak plans to have its own research centre on infectious diseases.
Dr Hazland said it was estimated that there are more than 2,000 species of natural plants which have been identified as having medicinal value and potential for commercialisation.
“There are various species of plants which have high nutrient and believed to be available in Sarawak’s tropical forest and have been used in the local traditional medicine. Thus, this can be explored further for commercialisation,” he said.
He pointed out that the research centre would be the best platform to further develop and produce local scientists to be involved in research activities.
He added the production of vaccines would give an advantage to locals in terms of having cheaper vaccines apart from the opportunity to get it earlier once the vaccine is marketed internationally.
“Furthermore, through the research centre, it would allow for non-dependence on scientists from abroad in the state’s effort to achieve a developed status by 2030,” he said.
