KUCHING, May 17: Thirty Sarawakians were among 78 trainees who received their Forestry Certificate after completing a one-year training course at the Forestry Training Institute (Fortrain).
Sarawakian trainee from Kampung Puak Krokong in Bau, Georgina Kunyan, was named the Best Field Trainee and awarded the ‘Anugerah Perisai Pusingan Ketua Pengarah Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia’.
Deputy Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji officiated at the 32nd Fortrain Forestry Certificate award ceremony held at Alwy Hall of the Forestry Training Division, Forest Department in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday (May 16).
Federal Forest Department director-general Datuk Boharnudin Arshad and Forest Department Sarawak director Hamden Mohammad were present.
In 2018, the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), for the first time in the history of the establishment of FDS, sent Sarawakians, sponsored by the department and state government, to attend courses in Fortrain.
The training collaboration was realised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked in 2017 between FDS and the Forestry Department in Peninsular Malaysia.
Hamden emphasised that Sarawak had introduced a comprehensive forest policy as a guideline to maintain the green environment in the state as well as ensuring the sustainability of the flora and fauna and its resources protected.
“Given the vast size of forest areas in Sarawak, which is among the largest in Malaysia, as well as the urgent needs for staff to look after it, I am very hopeful that the trainees from Sarawak can increase from the existing number today,” he said in addressing the award ceremony.
In addition, he also welcomed the trainees from Sarawak to serve in the department and contribute to the development of Sarawak.
As such, Hamden hoped this training collaboration would continue and enhanced in the near future. — DayakDaily
