Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam today defended the state government's decision to allow the establishment of a multi-million ringgit biotechnology centre that will feature several animal testing laboratories.

He said there was nothing wrong with Malaysia having such a facility because the rest of the world was doing the same.

"In Is ali rustam facebook gathering curve 280510 lam, God made animals as food and for the use of man. How can you not test on animals? Would you rather run the tests on humans?

“That is (the animal’s) fate," he told reporters in Petaling Jaya today, after his get-together with his Facebook fans and supporters.

He was commenting on opposition by animal rights groups to set up the labs in Rembia, Alor Gajah.

Last month, Malay Mail reported that the labs would be set up by Vivo BioTech (M) Sdn Bhd, which is a joint venture between India’s Vivo BioTech Lrd and Vanguard Creative Technologies Sdn Bhd.

Activists are 'day dreamers'

The company plans import beagles from Holland for use in their canine laboratory while white mice would be used in the small animals lab and, if allowed, primates would be sourced locally.

The project earned an immediate backlash from international animal rights groups, including Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor, the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (Buav) and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE).

Ali Rustam said he could not comprehend the issues raised by the activists, calling them "day dreamers" who are not in touch with reality.

He said if such tests are not conducted on monkeys, it would be impossible to determine if the drugs are safe for humans use.

“They do it to orang putih monkeys, Chinese monkeys and Indian monkeys... so what's wrong with doing it to Malaysian monkeys?

"If the world is against it, then get the United Nations to make a decision. Get the UN to say 'no' to monkey testing on earth, do it on the moon. It will become a crazy world," he said.

Activists should replace lab animals

Ali Rustam took it a step further by challenging the activists to volunteer themselves as test subjects as an alternative to drug testing on animals.

"I should call this group for a dialogue and I will ask them if they are prepared to replace the rats and monkeys. If they are, then sign (a contract).

“I don't think they want to do it," he said.       

The proposed facility will be set up under joint-venture company Vivo Bio Tech (M) Sdn Bhd.