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.

"This is very new and still in the preliminary stage only. We have not even stated whether we agree with the proposal or not. Nothing has been finalised or confirmed," Myrna told Malay Mail, adding the proposal was also sent to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

Without revealing the identity of the company, Myrna said the facility is for pre-clinical testing on captivebred long-tailed macaques imported from neighbouring countries. She added that Malaysia was probably one of the few countries being considered by the unnamed French company.

Last Thursday, Perhilitan deputy director-general 1 Misliah Mohamad Basir confirmed it had received the proposal sent by JSIC on May 8. And it had invited representatives from four local animal welfare groups for a briefing and discussion on the proposal