Featured Member of the Month

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

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 fully-fledged statutory body, governed by the Malaysian Forest Research and Development Board (MFRDB) under the Ministry of Primary Industries, in 1985. Presently, both FRIM and MFRDB are under the purview of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The Institute sits on a 485.2-ha site adjacent to the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve in the Kepong municipality, 16 km northwest of Kuala Lumpur. The Institute was awarded the MS ISO 9001:2000 certification in December 2007 and gazetted as a natural heritage on 10 February 2009 under the National Heritage Act 2005. It is helmed by Dato’ Dr Abdul Latif b. Mohmod as its Director General.

Research Areas

FRIM’s research activities are organised under the following divisions:

• Forestry & Environment Division
  Focuses on conservation of forest ecology and biodiversity by providing data, standards and guidelines for the sustainable management of natural forests.
• Forest Biodiversity Division
  Responsible for conducting documentation and research for the conservation and sustainable use of components of forest biodiversity in the country.
• Forest Products Division
  Focuses on the development of forest based industries and conducting research on the use of ligno-cellulosic materials.
• Biotechnology Division
  Undertakes medicinal plant research and studies ways to set up cost-effective forest plantations as an alternative and/or supplementary source of timber.
• Medicinal Plants Division
  Involved in research on bio-resources and development of herbal products.
• Research Planning & Corporate Division
  Concentrates on strengthening and assessing the impacts of FRIM research.

The results of FRIM’s 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.

Award-Winning Research

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); 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); and National Science Award (1993). Recently, FRIM also received the Nikkei Asia Award 2009 for its contribution to environmental protection in the region and the Mahathir Science Award 2009 in recognition of its contribution to the research and development of the country’s rubberwood industry.

Why membership in IUFRO is important for FRIM?

It is important for FRIM to be a member of IUFRO for the following reasons, among others:

• FRIM researchers can join and participate in the international network of forest research scientists represented by IUFRO and explore opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with forest researchers from all over the world through this network.
• IUFRO also provides FRIM researchers with opportunities to play leading roles as coordinators of working parties and research groups, thus highlighting the capabilities of its researchers;
• FRIM’s research can be shared and widely disseminated via the IUFRO network and activities such as conferences, workshops, seminars etc.; and
• FRIM also gains unlimited access to IUFRO publications, webpages and databases, e.g. GFIS; eligibility for IUFRO awards & support through SPDC to attend IUFRO-sponsored workshops and meetings.

FRIM front entrance and FRIM surroundings

Links

• FRIM website: http://www.frim.gov.my/

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