Latest news with #IsmailParlan
Barnama
13-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
FRIM Upgrade To Boost Ecotourism For Visit Malaysia Year 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- 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.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- The Sun
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.
Barnama
04-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
NCTF Funds 117 Conservation Projects With RM22.59 Million allocation
GENERAL BUKIT MERTAJAM, May 4 (Bernama) -- The National Conservation Trust Fund (NCTF) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) has funded a total of 117 conservation projects involving an allocation of RM22.59 million. Its Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that of the total, 72 projects are in the implementation phase with a funding commitment of RM6.59 million, while 35 projects have been completed with an allocation of RM14.2 million. 'One of the completed projects is the Conservation of Seladang in the Royal Belum State Park (RBSP) - Temenggor Forest Reserve Complex, implemented by the non-governmental organisation Borneo Rhino Alliance (BORA) in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and brought to the Second National Biodiversity Council. 'The meeting recognises the Seladang as an endangered species of national importance, and a Seladang Conservation Management Plan will be developed to stabilise its population,' he said in his closing speech at the Biology Exploration Workshop (Avian) with the Seberang Perai Community at Dewan Kampung Pisang, Cheruk Tokun here today. His speech was read out by Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan. Also present was Nature Sustainable Ecosystem Society (NEST) chairman Sulaiman Salikan. The workshop was conducted through a collaboration between Think City, as the fund provider through the Seberang Perai Town Grant with NEST, as the implementing body, and the Seberang Perai City Council, which provides support in terms of sustainable urban planning. Elaborating, Nik Nazmi said data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Perhilitan found that a bird species that went extinct around the 1960s was the green peafowl (pavo muticus) while the species currently facing the threat of extinction include the Malayan crested argus and the mountain peacock-pheasant. He added that the causes of extinction include loss of habitat due to logging and development, illegal trade in exotic birds as well as illegal hunting and keeping of wild birds as pets. 'Malaysia has 814 bird species and, of that total, 697 are found in the Peninsula while 55 species are endemic, with 48 of them found in Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak).
