FRIM upgrade to boost ecotourism for Visit Malaysia Year 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: The infrastructure upgrade at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in Kepong, including the reconstruction of a 12-metre suspension bridge, is expected to enhance its ecotourism appeal ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).
FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan said the project includes reconstructing the bridge using durable hardwood and support cables with safety 'u-clip' netting, as well as installing an informational map panel in the Borneo Plot near the Sungai Kroh picnic area.
He said the initiative was carried out in collaboration with the government and corporate partners, including Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad, which contributed RM96,000 through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme to enhance FRIM's ecotourism facilities.
'This effort extends beyond just infrastructure enhancement. It demonstrates a strong corporate commitment to long-term environmental and biodiversity conservation,' he told reporters after visiting the site today.
Present were Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad Corporate Finance head Joyce Vasudevan and Corporate Development vice president Lily Ling.
Ismail said the Borneo Plot is one of FRIM's unique attractions, featuring forest species native to Borneo, which is renowned for its tropical biodiversity, including kapur baji (Dryobalanops lanceolata) and engkabang (Rubroshorea macrophylla).
Established as a research site, the Borneo Plot also serves as an outdoor learning space for students and visitors, as well as a conservation area for endangered species.
He said FRIM has evolved from being a research and innovation centre into a hub for nature-based tourism and environmental education, drawing both local and international visitors.
As such, he said that FRIM will work closely with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to make early preparations for VMY2026.
'Last year, we recorded 157,699 visitors. This year, we are targeting 200,000 -- not only to enjoy the natural surroundings but also to raise public awareness about the importance of forests and biodiversity,' he said.
FRIM, declared a National Heritage site in 2015, is currently in the final stage of nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New Straits Times

14 hours ago

• New Straits Times

Bus drivers struggle on RM700 basic pay, rely on overtime

KUALA LUMPUR: With a basic salary as low as RM700 a month, or sometimes none, bus drivers depend heavily on travel allowances and overtime, often sacrificing their days off just to cover living expenses. A 34-year-old tour bus driver, who only wished to be known as Mior, said he relied entirely on commissions and the distance travelled, based on his customers' requests. "My basic salary is only RM700 a month. I receive a 15 per cent commission for each bus rental, while the remaining 85 per cent goes to the employer or tour bus owner. "If I take on many long-distance trips, I can earn up to RM3,000 to RM4,000 a month, with only five or six days off. "But if I take on shorter trips, I earn around RM2,000. "Based on last year's records, the fewest days off I had in a month was three," he said when contacted. Mior earns about RM400 for a trip from Parit to Seri Iskandar, Johor. A journey from Seri Iskandar to Kuala Lumpur, including sightseeing with his passengers, brings in about RM1,800. With a 15 per cent commission per rental, he pockets an additional RM60 for the first trip and RM270 for the latter. However, a 29-year-old bus driver, who only wished to be known as Mamat, claimed his company did not provide any basic salary. "For a trip from Manjung to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), I earn about RM50. I can make around RM100 a day for a return trip. "If I have four days off a month, I earn about RM2,600. If I work without any days off, I can make RM3,000," he said, adding that he still needed to apply for leave whenever necessary. He however said some express bus companies provide a basic salary of RM1,700, including travel allowances. Previously, Bumiputera Bus Operators Association (PPBBM) chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat said some companies allowed their drivers to work up to 28 days a month due to a shortage of drivers. He said the arrangement was mutually agreed upon by both the company and the drivers for their shared benefit. Zainal also said that bus drivers typically earn a basic salary of RM1,700 and have to rely on travel allowances and overtime to supplement their income.

New Straits Times

19 hours ago

• New Straits Times

[UPDATED] KLIA's aerotrain system operational next month

SEPANG: Kuala Lumpur International Airport's (KLIA) long-awaited aerotrain service is set to resume operations at 10am on July 1, following a major infrastructure upgrade that began over the past years. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the system has entered its final phase of testing, including a critical emergency response plan (ERP) drill involving Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) staff and emergency teams. "This aerotrain will undergo several final tests in the coming days, including one of the most important– our emergency response drill, to see how we respond in the event of any emergency. "If everything goes smoothly, I am pleased to announce that the KLIA aerotrain service will resume operations and begin serving passengers at 10am on July 1, which is in about 10 days," he said during a media preview of the service, here. The KLIA aerotrain, which connects the main terminal building and the satellite building, has been out of service due to delays in the upgrading work where passengers had to rely on shuttle buses. Loke said although the aerotrain will resume operations, the bus service will still be maintained. "Although the aerotrain will be back in operation, our shuttle bus service will also be maintained. Both services will be available for use if necessary." He said integration between both services is key to ensuring smooth passenger movement within KLIA's Terminal 1. "This is part of the integration steps we want to ensure that all passenger travel and movement within KLIA, especially at Terminal 1, runs smoothly." Loke also said the new aerotrain set consists of three coaches, with a total capacity of 270 passengers per trip. "Two train sets will operate in alternation, while a third set will be kept as a backup. "There are three coaches, each carrying 90 passengers. So for three coaches, one trip can carry 270 passengers. Two trains will operate alternately, and we have three sets in total." He also said that during peak hours, both tracks will be in use and only one track will operate during its "engineering hours" to allow for servicing and upkeep of the system. He added that safety was a top priority, and all trials are being monitored by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), which must approve the system before operations begin. "Safety is very important. That's why we took time to carry out various tests. These tests are, of course, monitored by APAD." Loke said the resumption of the aerotrain is timely, with Malaysia set to host several Asean meetings later this year and welcome more international visitors in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026. "KLIA, of course, is our major gateway in Malaysia, and we are looking forward to the resumption of the aerotrain to make the entire process at KLIA even smoother. "This year is important because we are the chair of Asean, and by 2026, it is a major year for Malaysia's tourism because we are hosting Visit Malaysia Year. So the resumption of the aerotrain is a very important part of that preparation." Originally scheduled for completion by January this year, the aerotrain replacement project has faced multiple delays. The first train was supposed to be operational by July 2024, with full service covering the 1.5km track set for March 2025. The service has been suspended since March 2023.

The Sun

a day ago

• The Sun

Cambodia Airways' inaugural flight to Penang on June 26

KUALA LUMPUR: Cambodia Airways is set to launch its inaugural flight from Phnom Penh to Penang on June 26, further enhancing bilateral ties between Malaysia and Cambodia, particularly in the tourism sector. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing announced the new route during a dinner with industry players in Cambodia yesterday, held in conjunction with efforts to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). He said Cambodia Airways' new route would operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, using an Airbus A319 aircraft with a capacity of 150 seats. 'This is a significant achievement in efforts to enhance connectivity between the two countries, create more opportunities for cooperation in tourism, business and cultural exchange, and support the VM2026 campaign. 'At the same time, I'm calling on Cambodia Airways to increase the number of direct flights,' he said in a Facebook post today. Tiong said during the event, he also emphasised the importance of strengthening Malaysia-Cambodia ties, particularly in the tourism, arts and culture sectors, as both nations are members of ASEAN. 'Tourism remains a key driver of economic growth, cultural exchange and community empowerment. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, a clear and effective strategy is essential to achieve the desired outcomes for the benefit of the people of both countries,' he said. Tiong noted that Malaysia's diversity extends beyond its culture to its landscapes and travel experiences, each offering something unique to every traveller. He also invited industry players and investors in Cambodia, including policymakers, to forge partnerships, open more air routes, offer attractive travel packages and facilitate easier visa access for travellers. Earlier, Tiong paid a courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, during which they discussed, among other things, opportunities to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries.