Many conflicting and erroneous statement have appeared in the press regarding the proposed RM490 million sports academy at Brickendonbury in the UK vis-a-vis the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) situated there now.

Let me clearly state the situation of TARRC in relation to ownership of the land restrictions clearly laid down in the Memorandum and Articles of the Association under which TARRC operates, the control of Lembaga Getah Malaysia (Malaysian Rubber Board) on the R&D programme and perhaps state categorically the R&D value of this unit in the UK for Malaysia.

As I have been associated with this outfit since 1949, I am clearly aware of the history and geography of this entirely Malaysian association.

1. The memorandum and articles of the association registered in 1938 clearly confines the objectives to R&D related to natural rubber and related materials. They have for 68 years enjoyed tax free status.

2. Consequent to the name changes from BRPRA to NRPRA, then MRPRA and in 1977 to Tun Abdul Razak Research Center, amendments made were consequential to name changes with restricted objectives of R&D clearly maintained, including ownership of assets.

3. The land of Brickendonbury was brought with the reserves, the association (TARRC) accumulated by 1971. The annual R&D activities budgeted for was funded by the Malaysian Rubber Research Development Board (now LGM).

4. The association (TARRC) owns the land not LGM. LGM obviously has full control on the R&D programme of TARRC and related activity.

5. The existence of some recreational facilities for the staff at TARRC is perhaps more modest than what we have in R&D institutions in Malaysia including Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (LGM).

6. The question of spending RM490 million on the sports academy is irrelevant to the issue of TARRC's R&D activity. The R&D operations and expertise have been built over 67 years and even expending RM4 billion ringgit cannot generate such a centre of excellence in a decade or more. Their (TARRC) expertise and contribution over the years are given in summary form below:

The laboratory is a unique window to Western science and expertise which Malaysia can tap at will and the reputation of the laboratory has been established in elastomer science and fundamental science across the globe, not only as outstanding but one of a kind. Many of the researchers can be found as professors in Ivy League Universities in the US and the United Kingdom.

The laboratory developed fundamental information in oxidation chemistry, sulphur vulcanisation mechanisms, the basis of tyre abrasion and measurement, rubber crystallisation, rubber modification, latex technology, latex biochemistry and biotechnology, thermoplastic natural rubber, epoxidised NR and many more.

The laboratory spearheaded the developments of earthquake isolation devices, bridge bearings and vibration buildings and heavy machinery. The laboratory is recognised by the University of London and by working in the place, several RRIM officers have received their PhD from the University of London.

They have always operated at the cutting edge and continues to enjoy close relationship with researchers and research companies all around Europe, US and Canada. They are certainly equipped to meet the challenges posed by the development of biotechnology relevant to Malaysia.

I do not wish to pursue this issue any more in public. I stand by all I have said in this letter.