26 February 2018 (Monday) – Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) researchers had participated in the 3rd International Forum on Sustainable Future in Asia organised by National Institute for Environmental Studies (

keynote address

Ismail delivering the keynote address.

NIES), Japan on 23–24 January in Kuala Lumpur.

The forum aimed to propel national and regional stakeholders including governments, private sector, citizens and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) towards meeting the global commitments, especially those related to climate change, waste management, biodiversity, environmental risks, and the well-being of society in general.

FRIM Deputy Director General (Research) Dr Ismail Harun delivered the keynote address entitled, ‘Sustainable Forest Management in Malaysia: Status, Challenges and the Way Forward’. He also co-chaired the ‘Tropical Ecosystem in the Changing World’ presentation session.

Samsudin, Elizabeth, Phon and Yao presenting their findings

From left: Samsudin, Elizabeth, Phon and Yao presenting their findings at the forum.

Among the topics presented by FRIM researchers at the forum were:

  • ‘Optional Management Systems for Tropical Forests: Optimising Production and Protection Roles’ by Dr Samsudin Musa;
  • ‘REDD Plus Implementation and its Contribution to Malaysia’s Nationally Determined Contribution’ (Dr Elizabeth Philip);
  • ‘Methods of Monitoring Populations of the Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing, Trogonoptera brookiana (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae)’ (Phon Chooi Khim); and
  • ‘Habitat-related tree species distributions and diversity in a peninsula Malaysian rainforest’ (Yao Tze Leong).
NIES international forum

Watanabe (middle), Samsudin (third from left), Ismail (far right) and the NIES delegates at SPF Pasoh.

NIES delegates led by President Dr Chiho Watanabe also visited FRIM Research Station in Pasoh (SPF Pasoh), Negeri Sembilan on 25 January to inspect the latest research and development (R&D) facilities funded by NIES. They were accompanied by Samsudin, the FRIM Forestry and Environment Director, and Dr Ismail Parlan, the Natural Forest Programme Head.

NIES has been collaborating with FRIM since 1991 in tropical forest research especially at the SPF Pasoh. They also funded the establishment of the twin-aluminium tower and canopy walkway at the station.