MALAY MAIL has confirmed that a proposal to set up a primate-testing facility, using imported pathogen-free
long-tailed macaques, was sent to the Johor State Investment Centre (JSIC) by a French company.

However, JSIC feels that the controversy over the proposal is premature. JSIC Information and Communications manager Myrna Damayanti Miraj said she cannot understand why international animal welfare groups are raising a fuss over the matter when no decisions have yet been made by JSIC and the authorities.