Institut Rimbawan Malaysia (IRIM) is now 25 years old since its inception in 1979.  I am very optimistic that IRIM will become a force to be reckoned with in the near future as the multiple roles of forest has been the main agenda of our society today.

Forestry is no more domains of foresters. After the Rio Convention or Earth Summit in 1992, forestry has been a regular topic discussed in many fora and by many interested parties of various disciplines.

Issues discussed to name a few, cover biodiversity, deforestation, environment, carbon sink, climate change and others. With the increased recognition of the environmental, conservational and protective roles of forests, international concern for the fate of the forests also increased accordingly with suggestion to put forestry activities into national development plan. In this regard, I would like to quote comment by Professor Jeff Burley, Ex-Chairman of the Commonwealth Forestry Association, on current forestry trend  “..there is global recognition of the importance of forests for their social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits yet there is declining public, political and academic esteem for foresters. Much of this is our own fault. For decades we have been on the defensive about forest management operations instead of promoting the many benefits obtained from wise forest management. In turn this requires us to have a better understanding of, and input to, the international and national processes and initiatives that concern forest.”

In view of the above scenario, there is urgent need for better paradigm shift in forestry profession. Traditionally, foresters engaged in managing public forests are often been associated with timber production and harvesting. Thus, in order to fulfill the societal needs in both goods and services, without unduly degrading the resource and the environment, foresters need to redefine their roles and responsibilities as professionals. In this context, IRIM members need to acquire better technical skills and new knowledge so that they will be able to be creative and innovative, able to think laterally and critically in problem solving, be action-oriented, disciplined and able to demonstrate high level of professionalism. These technical skills and knowledge can be acquired through courses and seminars that have been conducted by IRIM through Continuing Professional Education (CPE) since 1999. CPE programme will be a yearly event for members to better equipped for challenges on global forestry issues.  

Finally, I wish to invite members of IRIM towards working together to achieve excellence and portray the best of what foresters can offer in the interest of the nation. I strongly believe that forests hold key to earth’s survival.

DATO’ HAJI ABDUL RASHID BIN MAT AMIN

PRESIDENT OF IRIM