Latest news with #IsmailParlan
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
Global recognition of a green lung
Past and present: The hills of Kepong were terraced for vegetable farming at the turn of the 20th century (photo courtesy of FRIM), before they were transformed and became an ecosystem closely resembling a natural tropical rainforest where FRIM's Selangor Forest Park is located. FRIM's Selangor Forest Park now a Unesco World Heritage Site PUTRAJAYA: The Forest Research Institute Malaysia's (FRIM) Selangor Forest Park has been officially listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan said the recognition affirms FRIM's pioneering and crucial role in forest research, rehabilitation and sustainable management. Although FRIM was only officially set up and named in 1985, the herculean restoration of the site stretches way back more than a hundred years ago to the 1910s. 'It feels like a gift, as we are celebrating FRIM's 40th anniversary this year. We are very pleased that our collective hard work has paid off,' he said when contacted yesterday. Ismail said this marks a significant achievement not only for FRIM but Malaysia as a whole. 'It is a reflection of Malaysia's leadership in tropical forest conservation, and showcases our commitment to conserve, restore and protect degraded forest ecosystems through science and innovation. 'It strengthens our motivation to work harder to protect and ensure the sustainability of our country's forests and biodiversity resources for generations to come,' he said. He said FRIM's forest stands as a living testament to hope, resilience and transformation from a barren, degraded land to a lush green landscape now recognised on the global stage. Ismail expressed hope that the recognition would set a new benchmark, further strengthening FRIM's credibility and reputation as a leading institution in tropical forestry research. nowInterview officers from Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) for the recently tree inccident cases in town. — SIA HONG KIAU/The Star 'This can broaden our impact, serve the nation more effectively and inspire the replication of our success stories well beyond Selangor Forest Park,' he said. The announcement was made on July 11 during the 47th session of the Unesco World Heritage Committee, held from July 6 to 16 at the Paris headquarters of Unesco, said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry. 'FRIM Selangor Forest Park is a unique site and represents one of the earliest large-scale tropical forest ecosystem restoration efforts through the replanting of trees in a former tin mining area,' the ministry said in a statement. 'This initiative has set an international benchmark by successfully creating an ecosystem that closely resembles a natural tropical rainforest, rich in tree species diversity and overall biodiversity.' It also said the listing was decided by the 21-member states of the World Heritage Committee, following a nomination process that began in 2013. The inscription of the forest park affirms Malaysia's ongoing commitment to protecting and conserving natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value while enhancing the country's visibility on the global stage, the ministry added. 'The ministry is confident that this recognition will add significant value to FRIM Selangor Forest Park as a key tourism product in Selangor. 'In line with Visit Malaysia 2026 and Visit Selangor Year 2025, this achievement is expected to boost international tourist arrivals and contribute to Malaysia's economy, particularly benefiting local communities,' the statement added. With this latest listing, Malaysia now has six Unesco World Heritage Sites. The other sites are Kinabalu Park (2000), Gunung Mulu National Park (2000), the Historic Cities of the Strait of Malacca – Melaka and George Town (2008), the Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (2012), and the Archaeological Heritage of the Niah National Park Caves Complex (2024). To date, a total of 1,223 sites worldwide have been inscribed under the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Science
- New Straits Times
New tree species discovered in Pasoh Forest Reserve
KUALA LUMPUR: A new tree species, 'Timonious pasohensis' was discovered at the Pasoh Forest Reserve, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan said the rare species was collected during the first re-census of the Pasoh 50-hectare (ha) plot in 1985 and was recently published as a new species in 2024. "The establishment of permanent ecological plots allow researchers to study the demographics and dynamics of forests over a long period of Pasoh 50 ha long-term demographic plot is the second oldest large dynamic plot among the other 78 plots around the world. "All trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) 1 cm and above (in the plot) are measured, mapped, tagged, and identified. The tree census is carried out once every five years," he said in his opening speech at the Pasoh Seminar 2025, themed 'Pasoh: Nature's Lab of Discovery' here today. He said the research at Pasoh Forest Reserve had started since 1964, and in 1970, the FRIM Pasoh Research Station (SPF Pasoh) was established to study forest ecology in tropical lowland forests. According to him, an area of 1,840 ha of Pasoh Forest Reserve was gazetted as a research forest by the Forestry Department of Negri Sembilan in 1977. "I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia through the State Forestry Department, Negeri Sembilan for continuously supporting the research activities in the state," he said. He said the number of research activities conducted at Pasoh has increased as FRIM collaborates with research institutions locally and abroad, such as the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO), The National Institute for Environmental Studies, Hiroshima University, Kyoto University as well as Forestry and Forest Product Research Institute of Japan. "As a result of the collaboration, several long-term study plots have been established and the research focus has expanded from ecology to other aspects such as hydrology, climate, and zoology," he said. Ismail said other than tree ecology, fauna monitoring studies were also conducted in Pasoh through the Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) research project which is one of the 16 plot networks globally involved in this research and 60 camera traps were installed to capture images of fauna found in this forest. "Since 2011, various species of fauna have been captured, including species categorised as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)," he said. Apart from that, the Carbon Initiative Research Project is carried out to determine the amount of carbon in the forest as well as its mechanisms that lead to time and space variation in the change of carbon pool in the Pasoh forest. Another long-term study conducted continuously at SPF Pasoh is the Seed and Seedling Monitoring Project led by researchers from National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan since 2001 which is a joint venture between FRIM, CTFS-ForestGEO and STRI. He noted that a new project under ForestGEO in Pasoh is "Integrating physiological and demographic data to improve predictions of tropical forest dynamics in an Earth System Model" (NGEE Tropics) that studies the effects of environmental changes on plant physiology. "Ecological studies are gaining increasing importance due to the escalating environmental challenges facing humanity, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource management. "With this, a 52 metre high aluminium tower was built at SPF Pasoh to install research equipment used to record various types of data such as temperature, wind, rain and sunlight radiation. These data were used to study the effect of climate change on the forest environment," he said. Ismail said since its establishment, publications from the research in Pasoh have exceeded 411, which include journals, books, proceedings, and other technical and semi-technical papers while the total Impact Factors accumulated from Journal Articles exceeded 675,734 points, with four publications recording Impact Factors higher than 35 points. In line with the increase of research activities at Pasoh, the infrastructure and facilities at the Pasoh station have also been improved with a new building under construction at the station designed to support various research and workspace activities, including offices, meeting rooms, laboratories, and a mini herbarium. Meanwhile, FRIM Forestry and Environment Division Director Dr Mohd Zaki Abdullah in his welcoming speech said the seminar was to highlight the wide range of research conducted at the Pasoh Forest Reserve.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
FRIM boosts rural herbal industry with R&D and tech training
KUALA LUMPUR: The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) is driving rural entrepreneurship in the herbal industry by leveraging research and development (R&D) and modern technology. Through its Empowering Community-Based Herbal Products initiative, FRIM aims to equip local entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to develop high-quality herbal products. FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan highlighted the importance of R&D in building consumer trust. 'When we have herbal-based products developed through R&D, the public will be more confident in purchasing them,' he said. The initiative addresses challenges such as limited access to technology and markets, helping rural communities reduce reliance on imports while boosting local economies. A key component of the programme is the elite Kacip Fatimah clone, FaFaF01, developed by FRIM for its high bioactive content. Ismail explained, 'FRIM scientists have studied it for almost 10 years. This clone exhibits consistent and stable growth, making it suitable for various health and food products.' Participants receive hands-on training in cultivation, processing, and marketing, ensuring sustainable income opportunities. The initiative has already shown success, with cooperatives reporting a 30 per cent annual income increase. Dr Farah Fazwa Md Ariff, head of FRIM's Plant Breeding Programme, noted, 'The community has become more skilled, independent, and confident in herbal-based entrepreneurship.' Herbal farms spanning five hectares have been established in Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Perlis, and Johor. FRIM's Herbal Technology Centre (HTC) ensures product authenticity, with compliance to Halal certification and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The initiative also enjoys support from agencies like FELCRA Bhd and the Ministry of Health. With the global herbal market projected to reach RM1.6 trillion by 2030, FRIM continues to support local entrepreneurs in tapping into this growing industry. Interested cooperatives can contact FRIM at farah@ for details. - Bernama
Barnama
03-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
FRIM To Supply Trees For Saudi Arabia Green Initiative
GENERAL FRIM Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan (second, right) witnesses the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between FRIM Incorporated Chief Executive Officer Faizal Ramli (third, right) and DMELL Global Chief Executive Officer Nadzdiannie Nazri (third, left) at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) campus in Kepong today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED FRIM Director-General Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan (second, right) witnesses the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between FRIM Incorporated Chief Executive Officer Faizal Ramli (third, right) and DMELL Global Chief Executive Officer Nadzdiannie Nazri (third, left) at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) campus in Kepong today. FRIM Incorporated (FRIM Inc) signed a landmark MoU with DMELL Global and Arabian Peninsula Forests of Saudi Arabia to supply eight million trees annually in support of Saudi Arabiaâs ambitious reforestation initiative. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- FRIM Incorporated (FRIM Inc) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DMELL Global to supply trees in support of Saudi Arabia's green initiative. At the same ceremony DMELL Global signed the MoU with Arabian Peninsula Forests of Saudi Arabia to supply an agreed quantity of trees to Saudi. The MoU signing ceremony, followed a courtesy call and visit by the delegation from DMELL Global and Arabian Peninsula Forests of Saudi Arabia to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) campus in Kepong today, marking a significant steps in advancing global environmental restoration and sustainable forestry efforts. The partnership aims to supplying high-quality forest tree planting materials to bolster large-scale reforestation efforts in Saudi Arabia. Under the agreement, FRIM Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of FRIM will supply up to eight million trees annually, backed by decades of scientific research, tropical forest expertise, and innovation developed by FRIM. Speaking at the event, FRIM Director General Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan expressed confidence that the collaboration would lead to impactful joint efforts in forest restoration, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable green development. 'We will begin by supplying pre-planting materials to DMELL Global, who will then coordinate the distribution to Arabian Peninsula Forests of Saudi Arabia, as part of their ongoing reforestation initiatives. 'This is more than just tree supply, we see this as the foundation for a broader partnership, including technical consultancy, knowledge sharing, capacity building and joint environmental planning,' he said. Also present was FRIM Inc Board Member Noor Azmi Mohd Said who highlighted that the collaboration affirms FRIM's role as a global leader in forest science and establishes FRIM Inc as a key strategic partner in environmentally responsible, large-scale reforestation.
New Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
FRIM empowers local herbal entrepreneurs through HTC
KUALA LUMPUR: The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is committed to empowering and assisting small and medium entrepreneurs to seize opportunities in the herbal industry, which is expected to have a global market reach of RM1.6 trillion by 2030. FRIM said this included support services offered at its Herbal Technology Centre (HTC), which was established in 2005 and had received the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification. It added that HTC is capable of providing contract manufacturing services to herbal entrepreneurs, and has been recognised as a BioNexus Partner laboratory by BioEconomy Corporation and a National Pharmacy Regulatory Division (NPRA) Manufacturing Licence holder since 2011, and is now a major reference centre in the industry. "HTC has also obtained various certifications, including the GMP for Food (MS 1480:2020), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)(MS 1514:2009), TQCSI HACCP Code: 2022 as well as the halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia for pharmaceutical contract manufacturing. "The main strengths of HTC include its integrity as a government agency capable of safeguarding the intellectual property rights of customers, well-equipped facilities, strategic positioning, value-added services in terms of technical advisory services and research and development," FRIM said in a statement yesterday. FRIM said that since 2016, HTC has provided 2,048 types of services to over 500 clients, in addition to generating income of over RM2.56 million for FRIM. "During that period, a total of 30 herbal products were also registered with NPRA, while over 223,000 units of registered products were released to the market, with the overall value estimated at over RM19 million, thus proving the crucial role played by FRIM in assisting the economic growth of local entrepreneurs," it said. FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan was quoted as saying that this effort would be continued to ensure more herbal entrepreneurs can produce quality, safe and competitive products for the domestic and international markets. "With increased demand for herbal-based products and awareness of consumers regarding healthy lifestyles, FRIM, through HTC, is ready to play a strategic role in developing the country's herbal industry in a sustainable and high-impact manner," he said. According to FRIM, the market for natural products in Malaysia was estimated to be valued at over RM5 billion in 2023, and it is expected to continue to grow. "The high demand for plant-based products, including health supplements, functional food and traditional medicines, encourages many local entrepreneurs to produce their own products. However, various constraints in terms of legal compliance and the high cost of building GMP-status facilities become a challenge," it said. FRIM added that, based on the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, all herbal products with health claims in Malaysia must be registered with NPRA and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensure safety and quality. "Unregistered products can be a danger to consumers, as proven by the seizure of more than 70,000 illegal traditional and cosmetic products worth RM10.1 million by the MOH in November 2024," it said. – BERNAMA
