KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- 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 said that 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.
“Mastery of modern technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and drones is vital in addressing today’s forestry challenges.
“However, no matter how advanced the technology, it is meaningless without human wisdom. Drones can monitor from the air, but it is you who must act on the ground,” he said at the 37th Forestry Certificate Award Ceremony of the Forestry Training Institute (Fortrain) here today.
Present were the Director-General of the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Datuk Zahari Ibrahim, and 113 graduates from the Forest Ranger Certificate Course (2023-2025 Session) and Forest Supervisor Certificate Course (2024-2025 Session).
Syed Ibrahim described 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, he said, Fortrain has produced 6,369 graduates serving in various sectors nationwide, including natural resource management, ecotourism, and landscape management.
He stressed that 2026 has been designated the Year of Implementation and Acceleration for the environmental sustainability agenda, requiring graduates to play an active role as key implementers and drivers of the initiative.
Syed Ibrahim also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Economy for allocating RM20.8 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan for the construction of two new hostel buildings at Fortrain, providing 98 rooms and accommodating up to 196 trainees at any one time.
The new facilities, he said, help create a more holistic and conducive learning ecosystem to produce highly skilled forestry professionals.
-- BERNAMA
