KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Sarawak government is currently setting up its own Research Council.
Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed this yesterday during his working visit to the Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute here.
“Its function is to have regulatory power on research as well as coordinate all researches being done in the state.
“We have a lot of resources and these researches will give value to our economy. We feel there’s a lot of hidden wealth in the resourches which we have to exploit,” he said.
Johari added that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research would be gathering all the necessary information which would be stored in a database and later retrieved for sharing.
“The private sector will be able to use the data for further development,” he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that a lot of countries had invested in research.
“But Malaysia isn’t up to par with that yet. That is why I want Sarawak to start now.
“We want to do more research and instil this culture of curiosity among the people to further develop the country,” he said.
Johari also stressed the need for a balance between the timber industry and the preservation of the state’s biodiversity.
“This is important for the future because if compared globally, we are among the top most biodiverse countries in the world in terms of resources.
“No doubt that the timber industry gives us income and revenue, but if we can maintain a balance between the two, then it can give additional revenue to us through researches,” said the Chief Minister.
Johari’s working visit to the institute was also in conjunction with its Hari Raya “ramah tamah” (gathering) as well as “Ngiling Bidai” (closing of the Gawai Dayak celebration).
Among those present during the event were Johari’s wife, Datuk Amar Datin Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research, Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, former Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, and the institute’s director, Dr Lulie Melling.
Meanwhile, when asked about the progress of the Research Council, Minister of Education, Science, and Technological Research, Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said a paper on it would be tabled in the next State Legislative Assembly sitting.
