Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is one of the leading institutions in tropical forestry research in the world. Founded in 1929, the former Forest Research Institute became a full-fledged statutory body, governed by the Malaysian Forestry Research and Development Board (MFRDB) under the Ministry of Primary Industries, in 1985. From 2003, FRIM and MFRDB were placed under the purview of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE). On 1 October 2016, the new FRIM Act came into force and the MFRDB was replaced by new Members of the Institute with four additional representatives from corporate sector to assist in its commercialisation endeavours. The NRE was then restructured to become the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) in 2022.

The Institute sits on a 545-ha site adjacent to the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve in the Kepong municipality, 16 km northwest of Kuala Lumpur. FRIM was awarded the MS ISO 9001:2015 certification starting 2017. It was gazetted as a Natural Heritage Site on 10 February 2009 under the National Heritage Act 2005, and officially declared as a National Heritage on 10 May 2012. FRIM is working towards attaining the recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its nomination to be included into the Tentative List of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites was accepted at the 41st World Heritage Committee (WHC) Meeting held in Krakow, Poland on 7 July 2017. The Institute is led by Dr Ismail Parlan as its Director General.

FRIM research activities are organised under the following areas:

  • Forestry and Environment: To develop technologies and provide solutions to support and ensure the sustainable management of resources and ecosystem services of the natural, urban and recreational forests.
  • Forestry Biotechnology: To develop technologies and products based on biodiversity resources for forests and herbal plantations for related industries through biotechnological approaches.
  • Forest Products: To focus on the development of R, D&C towards improvement on durability, service life and utilisation of wood resources and ligno-cellulosic materials available for producing various high quality/value-added products.
  • Forest Biodiversity: To provide and develop key scientific knowledge to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services in Malaysia for their wise management and sustainable utilisation.
  • Natural Products: To support the national bio-economy agenda via the empowerment of natural product-based industries through bioactive feedstock security.
  • Economic and Strategic Analysis: To conduct socio-economic research and strategic analysis on forestry and environmental issues for national development.

The results of FRIM research are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and also transferred to relevant government agencies involved in overseeing and managing forests, as well as forest-related industries.

FRIM researchers have acquired a sound track record over the years winning innumerable awards for their work. The awards included those for research on rubber wood utilisation at the International Cologne Furniture Fair (1995); and for its oil palm fibre extractor at the 25th Geneva International Invention Exhibition (1997); the International Union of Forestry Research Organisations (IUFRO) Scientific Achievement Award (1995, 2000 & 2010); Toray International Science Award (1999); Petronas Inventor’s Awards (1992 & 1994); National Inventor’s Award (1995 & 1997); MINDEX/INNOTEX Award (1993 & 1995); Langkawi Award (1991); Public Services Department Award (1996); National Young Scientist Award (1993); Merdeka Award (2012); Linnean Medal for Botany (2015); and Japanese International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers (2009, 2013 & 2018).

In 2009, FRIM received the Nikkei Asia Prize for its contribution to environmental protection in the region and the Mahathir Science Award in recognition of its contribution to the research and development of the country’s rubberwood industry. Among others, FRIM won the BrandLaureate Awards (2010-2011 & 2012) for the Best Brand in Forestry–Environment Conservation; Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Science and Technology Prize 2012; and the National Book Award (2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019 & 2022). FRIM also won the 2019 ASEAN Books Award for the best research institution.

FRIM clinched the National Innovation Award 2013 (Products Category) and the National Intellectual Property Award (NIPA) 2014 (Patent Category) for its High Temperature Drying (HTD) system. In 2014, FRIM attained recognition as an Authentication Centre for Herbs by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry. In December 2016, the Malaysia Biological Diversity CHM (MyCHM) website, developed by FRIM, clinched the Gold Award for Malaysia at the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP13) held in Cancun, Mexico. FRIM’s Aedes Bio-Based Fuel (ABBF) innovation received Gold Medal at the 45th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in March 2017 and a Special Green Innovation Award from the Selangor Government in October 2017. The Journal of Tropical Forest Science (JTFS), published by FRIM received the 2018 Publishing Encouragement Scheme (CREAM) Award for the category of High Impact Indexed Journal in Web of Science. More recently, FRIM was awarded several record titles from the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR). To date, FRIM holds 45 MBRs.

FRIM received the 2021 UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation on 17 November 2021.

FRIM is also one of the top eco-tourism destinations in Malaysia, offering visitors various attractions and activities such as nature trails, waterfalls, nature education centre, camping and picnic sites, botanic gardens and arboreta.

Vision

To be a leader in tropical forestry research, development, commercialisation and application by 2030.

Mission

To intensify research and development, technology transfer and resolving industrial issues scientifically to meet the current and future needs of tropical forestry.

General Objectives

  • To generate scientific knowledge for the understanding, management, conservation and use of forest resources.
  • To achieve excellence in research and development through the use of the latest scientific equipment.
  • To study biodiversity to produce useful products through intensive research and development.
  • To develop related technology to fulfill the needs of the forestry industry.
  • To package research and development findings for dissemination to clients.
  • To commercialise research and development findings through technology transfer to all interested parties.
  • To provide excellent service to fulfill client needs.
  • To create strategic cooperation with local and international agencies.
  • To raise public awareness regarding the importance of the environment and the conservation of forest biodiversity.

Operational Objectives

  • To provide human resource development programmes to produce a class of authoritative and competent scientists.
  • To provide a work environment that is conducive to encourage creative thinking among scientists and a close relationship with clients.
  • To disseminate the technological and research products as well as giving accurate and professional advice and technical services.
  • To provide practical solutions to problems involving management and usage of forest resources and products.
  • To provide facilities and professional services in order to raise environmental awareness.

 

The main functions of FRIM are :

  • planning and implementing research for the development of the forestry sector and conservation of forest resources;
  • obtaining and disseminating research information to enhance forest management and the use of forest products;
  • establishing joint research and joint forest development with other bodies within and outside Malaysia.

Corporate Quality Policy

FRIM is committed to providing effective research and related supporting services to fulfil its customers’ needs. We ensure that those working with and for us shall be committed and adhered to the identified quality standards. FRIM will carry out continual improvements to enhance the effectiveness of related systems.

Operational Quality Policy

We are responsible for :

  • conducting research and providing quality professional services appropriate to the customers’ needs and expectations in the tropical forestry and forest product sectors;
  • implementing Quality Management System (QMS) effectively within the scope of research, training, testing & calibrating, selling, renting and consultancy services, in accordance to MS ISO 9001 requirements;
  • monitoring the effectiveness in the implementation of the QMS through customers feedback;
  • ensuring that the continual improvement on quality objectives through effective corrective and preventive actions based on the key performance indicator analysis which is done consistently;
  • ensuring that all procedures and services provided to customers are reviewed to meet the standard requirements;
  • ensuring that any failure towards achieving the identified standard is reviewed and evaluated to be used as a reference in the continual improvement process;
  • ensuring that the quality policy is understood by FRIM personnel through briefings, meetings and poster exhibitions and
  • ensuring that all personnel implement the policies and procedures in all aspects of services provided to the customers.