DEWAN RAKYAT, Sept 21 - MALAYSIA should make full use of advances inbiotechnology to exploit the potential of the oil palm industry, abackbencher said yesterday.

Ronald Kiandee (BN-Beluran) said, for example, efforts to producegenetically modified seedlings with higher yield should be made.

Also, more research and development should be done with the findingscommercialised as it would not only benefit the country but alsosmallholders.

"But the Government must be prepared to offer incentives or subsidies forsmallholders to buy these super seedlings," he said when debating Budget2005.

Ronald said assistance from the private sector was crucial to helprevolutionise the biotechnology sector.

"We must also be able to create a conducive environment, which includesbuilding state-of-the-art facilities, to attract private capital," hesaid, noting that the Government would have spent millions of ringgit toset up Malaysia's biotechnology hub BioValley by 2006.

Ismail Noh (Pas-Pasir Mas) claimed the Federal Government had delayeddisbursing aid to Kelantan which had hampered development in thePas-controlled State.

Meanwhile, the issue of illegal immigrants took a new twist when DonaldPeter Mojuntin (BN-Penampang) claimed that Sabah was playing host to manyFilipino refugees.

These refugess carried the IMM13 immigration cards which granted them atemporary stay in the State.

He said although the issuance of the cards was stopped in 1984, the numberof Filipinos holding such cards had "mysteriously" grown.

"According to some reports, there are now 95,889 Filipinos with thesecards. The authorities should provide some clarification on this," hesaid.

Mojuntin said concerns had been raised that syndicates were supplying fakeIMM13 cards to refugees.

Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) said the Government should ensureprompt payments to contractors undertaking infrastructure projects in theinterior of Sabah and Sarawak.

He said delayed payments could hinder the completion of the projects.

"Proper screening must also be carried before contracts are awarded toensure only competent contractors are given jobs," he added.