11 November 2019 (Monday) – Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has conducted a Regional Workshop on ‘Domestication of Endangered, Endemic and Threatened Species in Disturbed Terrestrial Ecosystems’ on 7 and 8 November.

The workshop, organised as part of the activities on technology transfer in the ASEAN-ROK Forest Cooperation Project (AFoCo), aims to share latest information and technologies on conservation efforts of threatened species particularly in the tropics across ASEAN.

Abd Latif speaking at the ceremony.	From Left: Ang, Abd Latif, Ryang and Norwati during the souvenir exchange ceremony.

A total of 20 participants and speakers from ASEAN region, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam attended the workshop officiated by FRIM Director General Datuk Dr Abd Latif Mohmod on 7 November.

Also present at the opening ceremony, representative of AFoCO Secretariat Soozin Ryang, FRIM Forestry Biotechnology Director Dr Norwati Muhamad, FRIM Research Station in Bidor (SPF Bidor) Coordinator Dr Ang Lai Hoe and SPF Bidor Manager Dr Ho Wai Mun.

Group picture of the organisers and participants with Abd Latif (seated, middle).	Ang showing one of a tree planted at the SPF Bidor.

This programme will help to enhance the role of Malaysia as a reference and training centre in the field of tropical forestry specifically in conservation of threatened species. In addition, this workshop served as a platform to further strengthen collaboration between ASEAN countries in the biodiversity conservation.

Participants also visited SPF Bidor on the second day to see the results of the rehabilitation efforts of a degraded area. The 121.5-ha station has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the “Largest man-made forest established on ex-tin mine” in 2016.