27 November 2015 (Friday) – Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Director General (DG), Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod received Anugerah Perdana award for the category of “Tokoh Buku Penyelidikan 2015” from the National Book Development Foundation (YPBN) yesterday.

Abd Latif (left) receiving the trophy and certificate from the DPM.

The award was presented by the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, also the Home Minister, at the National Book Award Ceremony held at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.

The FRIM DG was selected to receive the award in recognition of his contribution in efforts to share scientific information through the production of more simple, easy-to-read books.

The DPM launching the book entitled, “Seni Tanaman Hiasan”.

Abd Latif who became the FRIM DG in 2008 had produced over 300 scientific papers while serving as a Research Officer in FRIM. He was also selected as one of the Top Research Scientists Malaysia in 2013 and appointed as an Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) Fellow in 2014.

Group picture of the DPM with organisers and winners after the award presentation ceremony.

“I am grateful to be chosen to receive this award and I hope through such a recognition, more scientific books in the country will be translated for the benefit of the larger community,” he said, after receiving the award comprising a trophy and certificate.

Under his guidance, FRIM produced over 214 titles of official publications aimed at disseminating research information including 22 reader-friendly books. Four of the books were picked for the National Book Award under the categories of Best Technical Book, Best General Book (Science) and the Premier Award for Research Category in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

There were 14 recipients of the Anugerah Perdana and among them were Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim for Tokoh Sejarahwan; and Prof. Emeritus Dr Hashim Musa who was accorded the Anugerah Perdana Za’ba for Tokoh Linguistik.

Abd Latif with wife, Halidah and son, Muhammad Ismail, posing for a picture after the ceremony.

Also at the same event, a book entitled, “Seni Tanaman Hiasan Dalaman” written by FRIM Research Officer Dr Sreetheran Maruthaveeran, was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister. The book published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka contains a wealth of information, providing guidance on the selection suitable ornamental plants for an interior space, as well as methods for caring and maintaining the plants.

The ceremony was also attended by the FRIM DG’s wife, Datin Halidah Kasmin, son, Muhammad Ismail, and FRIM Corporate Communication Head, Norhayati Nordin.

The National Book Award Ceremony was held in conjunction with the Malaysia Book Expo and International Book Conference 2015 organised by YPBN at PWTC from 25 to 27 November.