KUCHING: Work on the first phase of the Sarawak Bio-Industrial Park project will begin next year.
Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Roland Sagah said the announcement of RM2 million in the State Budget 2023 allowed for the construction of the park.
“Development and construction of the park will be implemented in four phases until 2035,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday (Nov 29).
Sagah added the park, which will be built on a 100-acre site in Samarahan, will offer lots to other research establishments and bio-based industries to operate.
On another note, he said a local plant known among the Bidayuh community as Bunga Ta’ang and known as Bangkit Engkerawan among the Iban community in Lubok Antu – a seemingly inconspicuous plant normally used to treat skin ailments such as rashes and itch, and as a repellent against fleas and ticks on domestic animals – is being developed for its essential oil.
“Little that we know that this Bunga Ta’ang or Adenosma nelsonioides has valuable essential oil.
“Laboratory analysis by Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) has shown that its phytochemical properties have the potential to be developed for several products such as perfumery, aromatherapy, healthcare, food preservative, as well as for poultry and pet care products and larvicide,” he said.
In line with efforts to protect traditional knowledge on the use of local flora and fauna within the state’s wealth of biodiversity, he said, SBC has signed a Benefit Sharing Agreement (BSA) with the Bidayuh community of Kampung Semadang, Penrissen and Iban community of Rumah Simon, Lubok Antu, for the supply of essential oil from Bunga Ta’ang.
“The Bunga Ta’ang essential oil has been trademarked by SBC and is known as Adenosara. For starters, a sustainable supply of 517 litres of Adenosara essential oil as product ingredient is achieved this year,” he said.
In relation to the work with the communities, Sagah added SBC has, to date, engaged with 24 indigenous communities in Sarawak in its Traditional Knowledge Documentation programme, and this has led to the documentation of 6,568 traditionally used plants from 111 sites across Sarawak.
“Through continuous engagement with local and international partners, SBC has signed 18 new agreements this year.
“SBC also has a long-term collaboration and understanding with Japanese collaborators to develop micro-algae for potential renewable energy which include hydrogen production, carbon capture, and biofuel,” he said.
