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As another activity to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Institute of Foresters Malaysia or Institut Rimbawan Malaysia (IRIM), the “IRIM-FDPM Seminar on Sustainable Forest Management: Gearing Towards the Next Millennium” was held on 24 April 1999 at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia Auditorium, Kepong. Jointly organised by IRIM and the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia, the Seminar was aimed at disseminating information, and discussing issues and challenges pertaining to sustainable forest management (SFM), while updating the participants with the latest development and efforts made by the various agencies in attaining SFM, especially in gearing towards the next millennium.
After some welcoming remarks by the President, Mr. Haron Abu Hassan, the Seminar was officially declared open by Mr. Ahmad Zaini bin Muhamad, the Deputy Secretary General II of the Ministry of Primary Industries, Malaysia on behalf of the Secretary General. In his opening address, Ahmad Zaini briefly mentioned the various steps and actions being taken by the Government of Malaysia in its efforts to attain SFM. He also thanked the organisers for their effort in holding such an informative seminar.
The Seminar was attended by more than 120 participants made up of government
officers, especially those from the forestry departments of Peninsular
Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, researchers, academicians, and the private
sector, mainly from the forest-based industry. A total of five papers
were presented by distinguished and well-versed personalities in the forestry
arena, viz:-
| (i) | New Challenges in Sustainable Forest Management by Mr. Thang Hooi Chiew, Assistant Director General of Forestry (Macro & Micro Planning), Forestry Department Headquarters, Peninsular Malaysia |
| (ii) | Certification of Forest Management Using Environmental Management System Standards - ISO 14001 by Dr. Wan Razali Wan Mohd., Deputy Director General, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia |
| (iii) | Professional Education Towards Meeting Requirements of Sustainable Forest Management by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rusli Mohd, Dean, Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| (iv) | Forests for Certification : Filling Gaps in Sound Forestry Practices by Dato’ Dr. Baharuddin Hj. Ghazali, Chairman, Gaya Tunas Sdn. Bhd. |
| (v) | Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation : Lessons Learned by Mr. Rolf H. Krezdorn, Chief Technical Advisor, Co-ordinator of GTZ – Supported Forestry Project in Malaysia |
The earlier part of the Seminar was ably chaired by Dato’ Dr. Salleh Mohd. Nor, while the remaining session was chaired by Dr. Lee Hua Seng, two distinguished and well-known IRIM members. After a session of questions and answers, the Seminar was officially closed by the Director General of Forestry, Peninsular Malaysia, Dato’ Zul Mukhshar bin Dato’ Md. Shaari. In his closing remarks, Dato’ Zul Mukhshar reiterated the efforts being taken by the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia in its efforts to attain SFM in line with the ITTO Year 2000 Objective, and the many challenges that have to be met in achieving the set objectives and fully realising the inspirations of SFM.
At the end of the Seminar, the guest-of-honour and all participants
were treated to lunch, after which IRIM members then proceeded to attend
IRIM’s 17th Annual General Meeting.
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