Sarawak seeking for opportunities to collaborate with Chinese university on herbal medicine

KUCHING: Sarawak is looking into the possibility of engaging with a university in China related to herbal medicine.
 
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state is venturing into natural resources, so he would like to suggest that the state explore herbal medicine.
 
“Borneo is rich in biodiversity. Then, we have the scientists among the Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
 
“And the people from China are very strong in herbal medicine, so we can explore the possibility of having this engagement to produce certain medicines that can be a way for us to cure any potential disease,” he said.
 
He said this in his speech during the International Chinese Muslim Conference (ICMC) 2023 Gala Night at The Waterfront Hotel here last night (Aug 19).
 
According to him, there is one university in China, Fudan University, that is very good at herbal medicine.
 
“I think Sarawak and Malaysia can engage as well as work with that university to explore the possibilities of doing research on our biodiversity,” he said.
 
He added that the state is now forming a Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC).
 
“We have set aside about RM200 million to do this research centre under Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, and there are various doctors and researchers there; perhaps this is an area we can collaborate on,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said that the state is committed to exploring the field of renewable energy.
 
“We are now planning to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from microalgae, and the plane can make use of this renewable energy while at the same time we can contribute something to mankind, at least to mitigate carbon emissions,” he said.
 
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, and Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association (MACMA) president Datuk Prof Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin.