Kuala lumpur: Smart technology empowerment and the development of high-integrity human capital are crucial to ensuring the sustainability of Permanent Forest Reserves nationwide, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh. He emphasized that a strong synergy between digital technology and on-the-ground human expertise is essential to strengthen the management and protection of the country's forest heritage.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Syed Ibrahim highlighted the importance of mastering modern technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and drones to address today's forestry challenges. He noted that while advanced technology can provide monitoring capabilities, human intervention is necessary to act upon the data gathered.
The statements were made during the 37th Forestry Certificate Award Ceremony of the Forestry Training Institute (Fortrain), where the Director-General of the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Datuk Zahari Ibrahim, and 113 graduates from the Forest Ranger Certificate Course and Forest Supervisor Certificate Course were present. Syed Ibrahim referred to the graduates as a "centennial batch," marking the 100th anniversary of Fortrain's establishment, and expressed hope that they would set new benchmarks in forest management for the next century.
To date, Fortrain has produced 6,369 graduates who are contributing to various sectors, including natural resource management, ecotourism, and landscape management. Syed Ibrahim emphasized the importance of 2026 as the Year of Implementation and Acceleration for the environmental sustainability agenda, urging graduates to take active roles as key implementers and drivers of this initiative.
Syed Ibrahim also expressed gratitude towards the Ministry of Economy for allocating RM20.8 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan for constructing two new hostel buildings at Fortrain. These facilities will provide 98 rooms, accommodating up to 196 trainees, thereby creating a more holistic and conducive learning environment for producing highly skilled forestry professionals.