By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 10: Sarawak’s natural forests are one of the “biggest labs” for researchers and scientists, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who announced nearly RM11 million in funding for University Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus which has been appointed as the Research Hub for Forestry in Sarawak.
He disclosed that the implementation of the collaboration between the Sarawak government and UPM Bintulu Campus will be divided into three phases.
“The first phase will require RM4.15 million and the second and third phases will require RM6.80 million.
“Through this partnership, we will be able to develop sustainable abilities and skills, enabling researchers to perform relevant research topics needed in the field of forest resource management.
“I will instruct EPU (Economic Planning Unit) to release the fund as a grant to FDS (Forest Department Sarawak) and FDS will release the fund in accordance to the progress of research conducted,” he said when opening the International Conference on Forest Resources Management 2021 at a hotel in Bintulu today.
Having always placed great emphasis on research and development, Abang Johari warned that the lack of research capacities with the shortage of qualified manpower and higher levels of skills will impede Sarawak’s efforts in addressing and solving the issues in forest resource management.
He stressed that capacity building is essential to train all staff, including those in the supporting level needed in the forestry fields.
“For example, training by FORTRAIN, Kepong, Selangor in obtaining forestry certification for Forest Rangers.
“Researchers and young scientists should also be trained and equipped to look into current research approaches, including revolutionised research. This could be achieved through networking with other research institutions locally or internationally,” he said.
Abang Johari added that it is high time for Sarawak in various research disciplines to collaborate among themselves and international organisations to work together on a common platform to expand knowledge for better managing of forest resources in the State.
He noted that the FDS, UPM Bintulu Campus, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), and Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (TROPI) are among the agencies that are working in tropical forestry research in the State.
The State government, he emphasised, welcomes partnerships and collaborations from other research institutions, organisations, and agencies interested in supporting Sarawak mission to protect and preserve its most valuable asset – our forests.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to invite international financing donors to develop, implement, and most importantly, to finance more research, development, and management of tropical forest resources programmes in Sarawak to achieve our goal of becoming a thriving society driven by data and innovation by 2030, where everyone enjoys economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and a sustainable environment,” he said.
The hybrid Conference, themed “Integrating Knowledge For Improvement ”, is participated by more than 150 participants and 22 presenters from countries like Malaysia, the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Singapore, the Philippines, France, Italy, Canada, Indonesia, Peru, Brunei and Australia.
The event also witnessed the exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sarawak government represented by Forests director Datu Hamden Mohammad and Unimas by deputy vice chancellor for Research and Innovation Prof Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim.
The objective of the MoU is to explore collaboration in the development of bolted timber connection databases for Sarawak hardwood species in order to evaluate existing design equations for the improvement of Malaysia timber design standard.
Minister of Utility Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Itom, Minister in the Chief Minister Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Deputy State Secretary (Socio-Economic Transformation) Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) vice chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Roslan Sulaiman were among those present. — DayakDaily
