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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 9: There is a possibility that seaweed—which some attribute to promoting longevity—can fight cancer too, says Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He shared that the Japanese have a belief that a certain type of algae can serve as the basis for the production of certain medicine which can treat cancer.
“They say ‘you look at Japan’ (sic)—a lot of Japanese (have) long lives (up to) 90 years, 100 years.
“And the Japanese, correct me if I’m wrong, like to eat seaweed and seaweed is algae.
“There’s a possibility that the compound in that particular seaweed or algae, perhaps can fight cancer,” he said during the ‘Sunday Morning with Premier 2.0: Dialogue Session with Young Entrepreneurs on New Economy’ event organised by DayakDaily and Pertubuhan Wartawan Bebas Kuching (Pewarta) with the support of the Sarawak government at Imperial Hotel here today.
He was responding to questions from Chitose Group’s Sarawak Business Head Ryo Iko who suggested areas for potential collaboration that Sarawak and Japan can venture into to build the microalgae industry apart from the ongoing microalgae cultivation project in Sejingkat, Kuching.
“It (algae-based cancer treatment) is about to be there. This one, I hope you (Chitose Group) can do research with Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) and produce this, and there will be a world market for you.
“(When) you make money, then you pay sales tax to me,” he stated, prompting a wave of laughter from the audience.
For the record, the Sarawak government is also conducting algae research with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) on the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to power aircraft.
Sarawak Minister of Sports, Youth and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Deputy Secretary (Economic and Development Planning) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel and Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU) director Lester Matthew were among those present.
The dialogue was attended by some 130 young entrepreneurs as well as top government officials and heads of departments. — DayakDaily
