LIMBANG: Sarawak must urgently strengthen its pool of scientific and biological talent to support future development in healthcare, biodiversity research and emerging medical technologies.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s future growth depends on nurturing expertise in new scientific fields, particularly biology, biotechnology and medical research that can harness Sarawak’s rich biodiversity.
“We need scientists because we want Sarawak’s children to have talent in these new fields,” he said when officiating the Sarawakku Sayang 2026 programme at Limbang Sports Complex here on Saturday.
Abang Johari highlighted that Sarawak is actively exploring its natural resources for potential medical breakthroughs, including possible treatments for cancer derived from local biodiversity.
“We also want to carry out research on our biodiversity resources. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has said that there are substances in Ba’kelalan that may be able to cure cancer,” he added.
He also welcomed the establishment of a branch of China’s Fudan University in Miri, describing it as a major step forward for medical and scientific collaboration.
“This is medical research that combines herbs with Western medicine, including cancer research. We also have the Sarawak Biodiversity Research Centre and the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre, which will attract our young people to conduct research,” he said.
Abang Johari also pointed to ongoing work in veterinary science, particularly efforts to combat rabies through innovative vaccine delivery methods.
He described research into oral vaccine solutions for dogs, designed to be more easily consumed, as part of broader efforts to improve disease control.
“Recently, we are also conducting research. There is a veterinary doctor here working with us to fight rabies disease. According to him, it is not an injection but a vaccine.
“The vaccine is combined with a type of medicine that dogs like to eat—something like candy. The dog sees it and immediately eats it. When it is eaten, it enters the dog’s body and will destroy the germs that cause rabies,” he said.
He added that such innovations could extend beyond rabies control, potentially improving livestock health and productivity in the future.
“Maybe in the future there will be capsules that improve buffalo health so they can reproduce more,” he said.
Beyond biological sciences, Abang Johari stressed the importance of expanding expertise in psychology to address rising mental health challenges linked to economic and social change.
He said stress-related issues are becoming more common in developed societies, and trained professionals are needed to support affected individuals.
“Work is changing, and stress levels are increasing. In developed countries, suicide rates can be quite high. We need trained psychologists to help people cope,” he said.
