Wong (right) and Abdul Hamed (second left) help Abang Johari to wear the leather jacket presented as a memento to him by Ta Ann.
SIBU: Industry players in the timber and oil palm sectors in the state are encouraged to emphasise on research and development (R&D).
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is in line with Sarawak’s aim to be at the forefront in R&D as well as exploitation of resources that is well-managed by taking into consideration the environment.
He stated that research is important to ensure sustainability and diversification as well as marketability of products.
“When you have a species of plant that can grow well within a short period of time, then you can have a sustainable material.
“If you want to be sustainable, it means you must have the raw material yourself. Now if you have this innovative structure in your organisation then you can diversify your products,” he said when officiating at the topping-out ceremony of Ta Ann Group building’s new wing at Rawang Road here yesterday.
Stressing on the importance of R&D, Abang Johari, who is also Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, said he has been promoting the idea of industrial forest policy, whereby the state retains its primary forest and uses planted forest to sustain its timber industry.
“The market is there and we will be able to manage our resources efficiently with technology available.
“That is why I go for digital economy, which means we will have data centre or data farm to gather information to do our research.
“With that sort of data, through technology we can optimise our labour and, at the same time, we can produce a lot of scientists in order to produce new products, new ways of management and new scope of work that should be done by us,” he said.
Abang Johari signs the plaque as (from left) Len Talif, Abdul Hamed, Ta Ann board of directors member Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah (partly hidden) and Wong look on.
Abang Johari blows the candle to celebrate his birthday and birthday of Ta Ann staff held after the topping-out ceremony.
He added that he visited Swinburne University campus in Australia recently, which currently was doing research on human DNA.
According to him, the university has done 70 per cent research on the matter but they still lack protein component which will complete the human DNA research package.
“So I told them why not they do protein research in Sarawak. Because of our rich biodiversity, they can extract protein from our forest and this has to be done through research.
“If they can get the protein then the whole package of human DNA will be there, meaning a great breakthrough in healthcare. The moment you have human DNA meaning we can repair human organ,” he said.
For the same reason, he said he set up the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research and had given special budget for R&D in the state.
Abang Johari had earlier noted that Ta Ann through its 30 years of establishment had emphasised and carried out many R&D programmes for its products by working together with international and local organisations.
“I believe Ta Ann will become an example to other industry players in their research,” he said.
One of the researches done by Ta Ann is in tree planting by cultivation of Kelampayan (indigenous fast growing tree species) on peat soil which was started in 2014.
The main objectives are to enhance land usage efficiency and promote multiple land use. Subsequently, the planting was also carried in mineral palm oil estates.
Meanwhile, Ta Ann executive chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi attributed the achievements and growth of the organisation to its staff.
Abdul Hamed said when he first started the company together with other founders, they had less than 20 staff and today the company has about 7,000 workers.
He said with RM1.4 billion revenue generated annually, the group also had five of its oil palm plantation and two palm oil mills receive the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification.
He later thanked the government for giving Ta Ann opportunities to be involved in timber and oil palm industries.
Also present were Deputy State Secretary Datu Ismawi Ismuni, Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Saleh, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee and Ta Ann chief executive officer Datuk Wong Kuo Hea.