On 18th November 1997, under the visionary leadership of Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Bill, 1997 was tabled and passed by the State Legislative Assembly. This was a pivotal moment for Sarawak, and also marked a first for Malaysia where a legislation was enacted to safeguard biodiversity.
Tun Pehin Sri's vision for the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) was extraordinary - a centre that is equipped with state-of-the-art R&D facilities, and internationally recognised to safeguard Sarawak’s wealth of biodiversity whilst ensuring its utilisation in a sustainable manner, for the benefit of the people of Sarawak, Malaysia and the international community.
As a testament to his unwavering support for research, Tun Pehin Sri inaugurated SBC’s Research and Development Laboratories, back on 29th August 2006. These included the molecular biology, microbiology, plant tissue culture, analytical chemistry, and bioinformatics laboratories. On 13th December 2010, Tun Pehin Sri unveiled SBC’s new Administrative Building and supporting facilities, further enhancing our operational capabilities.
As we reflect on Tun Pehin Sri's invaluable contributions to conservation and sustainable development of biodiversity in Sarawak, we at SBC mourn his passing and extend our deepest condolences to his family.
Al-fatihah. May his soul be blessed and placed among the righteous.
