News at home


AgBiotech

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi’s aim for an agricultural revolution was heavily featured in the news recently. Consistent with this initiative, the “Father of Hybrid Rice” Professor Yuan Long Ping, director general of China’s National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Centre was invited to assist Malaysia in setting up a research centre focusing on hybrid rice. Prof Yuan believes that Malaysia is suitable to produce the super hybrid rice which will bring tangible benefits to Malaysian farmers.

Elsewhere, the 2005 Budget is expected to continue focusing on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), apart from providing new impetus to the agriculture, service and health tourism sectors. According to Ernst & Young Tax Consultant Sdn Bhd executive director Kenneth Lim, continuous focus on the SMEs and the agriculture sector is crucial for the country’s economic growth.

Food & Nutrition

Consumers are confused about the safety of our food especially with the increasing number of bird flu outbreaks. These food scares are merely a perception. According to the Asian Food Information Council (AFIC), the food supply in Malaysia is in fact safer than it has ever been. Consumers are advised to follow advice from reputable authorities, and not to make dietary changes based on dramatic headlines. Reducing variety in diet by cutting out food groups, for example, is risky because it actually increases chances of dietary imbalance or even deficiency.

Industry & Environment

Malaysian scientists have always been actively involved in marine research activities and this past month saw the discovery of some rewards during a 42-day expedition in the South China Sea. 60 scientists from five local universities and 11 government agencies have discovered 11 species of fish not previously recorded in Malaysian waters, including a species of grouper that had never been identified. Among their other discoveries was a species of coral that glowed in the dark.

Investment

The Government is giving full support in developing biotechnology. Following healthy market prospects in the newprint industry for kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), the Government has approved grants totaling to RM12 million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) for further development of the kenaf-based industry.

The Government will also be introducing a matching grant scheme for R&D work undertaken by the private sector starting next year as part of the initiative to increase R&D output amongst local companies. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Jarjis said such incentives will attract more companies to invest in R&D.

Additionally, the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry would also be establishing a RM75mil plant in Cyberjaya, close to the BioValley in Sepang to produce biotechnology products. Minister Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Jarjis said the plant would be managed by Inno-Bio Sdn Bhd, a government-owned company that comes under the Malaysia Industry Group of High Technology (MIGHT).

Medical & Health

Realizing the severity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) after the resurfaced bird flu outbreaks, Malaysia is cooperating in the global effort to produce SARS vaccines. “Hopefully, we can set up the plant in Klang Valley next year and produce SARS vaccines in another two years,” said the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Jarjis. He said there would be demand for the vaccines because the World Health Organization (WHO) had predicted SARS could resurface in Asia.

Trade & Policy

Local researchers’ innovative ways of treating and reusing industrial wastes has opened a door for Malaysian traders to make money. TSH Resources Bhd’s chief executive officer Datuk Kelvin Tan has initiated steps to move TSH into more ''green businesses". The group is currently venturing into renewable biomass energy. Tan says it’s the first such projects in the world and is very optimistic about his firm’s “green economy” venture. TSH Resources expects to make an internal rate of return of between 15 and 20 per cent on the complex,” Kelvin told.

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