Endau-Rompin National Park Kindles Interest Of U.S. Biotech Centre

ROMPIN, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The Endau-Rompin National Park has attracted the interest of a biotechnological research institute in the United States, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said Wednesday.
He said the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center was keen to establish a biotechnological R&D centre there.
Dr Jamaluddin said the interest was prompted by the rich natural resources in the park that offered great potential for research to produce medicines and other products.
"Donald Danforth will undertake a survey in the jungle before submitting a proposal paper to the government on the setting up of the centre," he told a news conference after visiting flood victims in Kampung Rekoh, here. Also present was Donald Danforth's Deputy President of Science and Technology Management Karel R. Schubert.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has undertaken research on natural resources in several areas in Africa as well as in Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia and Peru.
It is a non-profit research institute with a global vision to improve the human condition.
Dr Jamaluddin said the Endau-Rompin National Park had good amenities, including a network of chalets, which were most suitable for biotechnological research such as that to be conducted by Donald Danforth.
He said the Rompin district officer would raise the proposal on the setting of the centre with the state government to obtain the consent of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang.
Dr Jamaluddin also said that 36 households of Kampung Rekoh would be relocated to a flood-free area in the village and would have a choice of being given houses on a hire-purchase arrangement or land on which they could build the houses on their own.