By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 16: The establishment of the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) will be a catalyst for the development of the biomedical industry in Sarawak to not only prepare the State for any future disease outbreaks but to aggressively push Sarawak’s economy and development forward.
With the State government investing RM200 million into building the facility and various infrastructure, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that this project is timely to build Sarawak’s biomedical fundamentals, develop talent, create new jobs, strengthen education, and develop research and products.
“The State government is taking initiatives to be in charge of its own destiny, while maintaining close interaction and collaboration with the federal authorities.
“We mean business and I think we are the only State government willing to invest money into research centre(s). The idea of having our own research facility is to enable us to explore the potential of our biodiversity.
“But the only missing link is the researchers, scientists and experts. The government can provide the facilities but we have to develop partnerships with experts throughout the world to enhance our capabilities while our young people will have to take the initiative to do research,” he said during the earth-breaking ceremony for the SIDC building here today.
The earth-breaking ceremony marks the next phase of development for SIDC with the initiation of a building dedicated to research, development and commercialisation of products and services to combat communicable disease, for Sarawak and the rest of the world.
“As you know Covid-19 was unexpected and therefore, we have to be farsighted. Our State government wants to make sure that (in the event of) any calamities or diseases that come after this, we are well prepared,” he said.
Under the purview of Sarawak Research and Development Council, Abang Johari pointed out, SIDC is designed to be a focal point of an ecosystem that will accelerate economic growth and human capital development in the biomedical sector for Sarawak.
With a biohub integrating hospitals, research centres, academics and a biopark, it will provide a complete pipeline from discovery to testing and clinical trials through to production plus human capital training to provide a highly-skilled workforce for the biomedical industry.
“We are also engaging in other research including food and astronomy. People may be asking why I am doing this; because I feel that if we want to become a developing economy, we need to develop our human capital and be innovative.
“Only when we create a conducive and enabling environment, then can we retain our brains (talents) for the future,” he stressed in reference to advanced countries like Japan, South Korea and China which have invested heavily on research and innovation.
In line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), he added this will set the foundation for Sarawak to be at the forefront of biotherapeutics development using local natural resources.
With the centre’s proximity to Kuching, airport, ports as well as other amenities including access to high-speed Internet and soon an improved public transport system, Abang Johari is confident the initiative will attract investors and experts from around the world to work at the centre and contribute to Sarawak’s economy.
“Last week, I had an engagement with people from the United States of America (a healthcare supply chain company) who are coming to invest in producing medical equipment including PPE and other devices in Bintulu to be distributed in this region.
“I asked them why they chose Sarawak. They said because they know Sarawak is very stable, the people are friendly, and we have the facilities to move forward and do research in the biomedical field.”
With a conducive environment that could draw in investors, Abang Johari reiterated, Sarawak must continue to be stable with forward-looking and visionary policies to move Sarawak forward.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong, Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion and Assistant Minister of Public Health and Housing Dr Annuar Rapaee were among those present. — DayakDaily
