29 July 2020 (Wednesday) – Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Penang State Government represented by Penang Botanic Gardens (PBG) to collaborate in plant management and conservation on 21 July 2020.

At the signing ceremony held at FRIM, Director General (DG) Datuk Dr Abd Latif Mohmod represented FRIM whilst the Penang State Government was represented by PBG Director Nur Faizah Tajudin in signing the MOU.

Abd Latif (left) and Nur Faizah speaking at the ceremony.	From left: Chua, Abd Latif, Nur Faizah and Saw during the documents exchange session.

FRIM Forest Biodiversity Director Dr Lillian Chua and PBG Curator Dr Saw Leng Guan also served as witnesses to this MOU. Saw is also the former FRIM Forest Biodiversity Director.

Also present, FRIM Deputy DG (Operations) Dr Khali Aziz Hamzah, FRIM Corporate Communication Head Toh An Nee, FRIM Planting Material Production Branch Head Dr Siti Salwana Hashim, FRIM Botany Branch Head Dr Sam Yen Yen, Kepong Botanic Gardens (KBG) Head Suhaida Mustafa, PBG Agriculture Officer Siti Mardina Ismail as well as other PBG and FRIM representatives.

FRIM and PBG representatives posing for a group photograph.	PBG delegation visiting KBG.

In this collaboration, three main objectives have been outlined namely:

• Gardens and plant collection management;
• Research in plant conservation, propagation, cultivation and reintroduction; and
• Training and capacity building of staff in both fields.

The PBG delegation also visited KBG after the MOU signing ceremony.