Sagah (seated centre) flanked by Deputy Ministers of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee (seated left) and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis while others look on during a press conference at DUN Complex on Nov 27, 2023.

By Ashley Sim

KUCHING, Nov 27: Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) is studying the potential of yam plants to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Sarawak Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn revealed this during a press conference following his ministerial winding-up speech during the Second Meeting for the Second Term of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN), which was held at the DUN complex here today.

“So we see that the yam plant is often thought to be useless, but it has now been proven to have properties that can help patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

“It (SBC’s research) shows a positive response to this compound (from a yam plant),” he explained.

Sagah, who is also Tarat assemblyman, noted research institutions in Sarawak have achieved numerous accomplishments, with the research conducted by SBC on the yam plant as a notable example. — DayakDaily