23 August 2022 (Tuesday) – Two books published by Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) entitled, ‘Lata Kekabu, Lenggong Permata Yang Tersembunyi’ and ‘Cantiknya Rotan’ have received the 2022 National Book Award for the category of Best General Book (Ecosystem) and Best General Book (Research) respectively.

Both awards were presented by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Adjunct Professor Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed to FRIM Director General Dr Ismail Parlan at the 2022 National Book Award Ceremony which was held in conjunction with the International Book Conference, Malaysian Book Expo and Writers’ Club Forum in UPM this afternoon.

Abu Kassim was accompanied by National Book Development Foundation Managing Board Chairman Tan Sri Prof. Datuk Wira Dr Abdul Latiff Abu Bakar, UPM Vice Chancellor YH. Dato’ Prof. Dr Mohd Roslan Sulaiman and UPM Publishing Centre Director Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan.

The ‘Lata Kekabu, Lenggong Permata Yang Tersembunyi’ book was jointly written by FRIM staff Dr Hamdan Omar, Azharizan Mohd Norizan, Wan Mohd. Nafizul Hal-alim Wan Ahmad, Noor Syahirah Zulkefli and Mohd Erwan Mohd; Mohd Yussainy Md Yusop from Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department and Dato’ Mohamed Zin Yusop from Perak State Forestry Department. This book, edited by YB Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Dr Khali Aziz Hamzah and Dato’ Indera Mohd Ridza Awang, highlights the uniqueness and biodiversity in Lata Kekabu as well as published to inculcate a sense of love for the natural environment amongst nearby communities.

‘Cantiknya Rotan’ contains general information on the status of the rattan industry in Malaysia as well as contains illustrations of weaving and photos of rattan products to attract the interest among local community in the uniqueness of local art products. This book was produced by FRIM researchers Dr Hamdan Husain, Muhammad Syamil Kamarulzaman and Dr Nordahlia Abdullah Siam.

FRIM actively produces various forms of publications such as handbooks, journal articles, proceedings, theses, book chapters, as well as technical/semi-technical/non-technical articles for reference by the scientific community. In order to enable the information and research findings with all levels of the society, FRIM has started producing coffee table books since 2009. To date, FRIM has produced over 50 coffee table books on various topics related to biodiversity, forestry and environment.

Also present, Technical Services Director Sarifah Kunju Ahmad and Corporate Communication Head Toh An Nee.

From left: Toh, Hamdan Husain, Nordahlia, Ismail, Hamdan Omar, Azharizan Sarifah and Wan Mohd. Nafizul Hal-alim posing with the trophies and certificates.	Abu Kassim (third from left) presenting the award certificate to Ismail, while (from left) Mohamed Thariq, Abdul Latiff, Mohd Roslan, Hamdan Husain and Nordahlia look on.
Group photo of award recipients with the VIPs.	The ‘Lata Kekabu, Lenggong Permata Yang Tersembunyi’ (left) and ‘Cantiknya Rotan’ books produced by FRIM.