20th Malaysian Forestry Conference

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PLENARY SESSION

YBHG DATUK FREDERICK KUGAN

CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS
SABAH FORESTRY DEPARTMENT

YBHG DATU HAJI HAMDEN BIN HAJI MOHAMMAD

DIRECTOR OF FORESTS
FOREST DEPARTMENT SARAWAK

DATO' HJ. ZAHARI BIN IBRAHIM

DIRECTOR GENERAL
FORESTRY PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

CHAIRPERSONs

Tn Zulkifli Suara

Sabah Forestry Department

Zulkifli Suara graduated from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) with Bachelor of Science Forestry. He started his career in 1992 and had held several position including District Forest Officer, Regional Monitoring, Control, Enforcement and Evaluation (MCEE) and Head of Investigation, Enforcement and Prosecution Division in the Sabah Forestry Department. He currently serves as the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forest (Operation). Zulkifli is also a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna dan Flora (CITES).

I

YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Rahim bin Rani

Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia

Dato’ Mohd Rahim bin Rani currently is Deputy Director General in-charge of Policy and Planning, Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM). He graduated from University Putra Malaysia (UPM) with a Bachelor Degree (Science of Forestry) and has been with JPSM for over 30 years. Served in four (4) State Forestry Department namely Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor. He is awarded with four (4) Service Excellent along the career path as Forest Conservator and has been awarded Darjah Kebesaran Johan Setia Mahkota and Pingat Persekutuan in the year 2022.

II

Tn Ricky Anak Jonathan Alek

Forest Department Sarawak

Ricky Anak Jonathan Alek graduated in Bac. of Science in Forestry (Hons), Universiti Pertanian Malaysia in 1995. He started his career as an Executive Forester with Forest Department Sarawak in 1996. First attachment was with the Forest Operations Branch specifically focusing on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). Until present he has served in many areas such as International Affairs, Strategic Planning, In charge of Sarikei Divisional Forest Office, community engagement, developing RIL Guidelines, carbon initiatives and etc. He was the Local Counterpart to the collaboration project with German Technical Agency, Chief Local Counterpart to the ITTO –MFMA project and Consultant to APFNet project. He has vast experiences in sustainable management of forests especially on forest management certification. Ricky is currently the Senior Assistant Director of Planning and Management Division.

III

Dr Arthur Chung

Sabah Forestry Department

Arthur Y.C. Chung earned his B.Sc. in Zoology and M.Sc. in Entomology from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi, Selangor and his D.Phil. in Tropical Forest Entomology at Oxford University, United Kingdom. For the past 31 years, Arthur has been dedicatedly working with the Sabah Forestry Department and currently holds the position of Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Research & Development), who also heads the Forest Research Centre, Sepilok. Throughout his career, he has authored numerous research papers, reports, and articles, and co-authored 13 books. Arthur’s contributions extend beyond his professional roles. He has served as Chairman of the Sabah Society-Sandakan, a Research Fellow with the Institute of Tropical Biology & Conservation at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and a Conservation Fellow of the Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Kinabatangan, Sabah. In 2023, his exceptional accomplishments in tropical forest entomology were acknowledged with the Science and Technology Award from the Malaysia-Toray Science Foundation, presented to him by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia.

IV

Mdm Zarina Binti Haji Shebli

Forest Department Sarawak

Zarina Binti Haji Shebli is the Senior Assistant Director of Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) bringing over two decades of extensive experiences in various roles within the Department. She graduated from University Pertanian Malaysia (UPM) in 1996 with a Bachelor Degree in Forestry (Management) and has started her career with FDS since then as the Head of the Constitution of the National Parks and Wildlife Division, where she was responsible for the gazettement of totally protected areas. She is also particularly recognized for her works in social forestry, having led the Community Service Initiatives Unit from 2011 to 2016 before leading the Social Forestry Division from 2016-2020 as the Head of Division. Her distinguished career includes pivotal roles in national and international project, notably held a post as Chief Local Counterpart and Project Manager for the ITTO Projects in Sarawak. Currently she is the Head of Restoration and Industrial Forest Division, where she is a strong advocate in spearheading the Greening Sarawak Campaign initiative; Forest Plantations Management, Research & Development in the region.

V

YBhg. Dato’ Hj Ahmad Fadzil bin Abdul Majid

Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia

YBhg. Dato’ Hj Ahmad Fadzil Bin Abdul Majid obtained his Bachelor Degree in Forestry Science from University Agriculture of Malaysia in 1989. He joined the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia in 1991 as Assistant Officer (Forest Planning) and as Officer (Forest Planning) a year later. Since then, he has held many positions in the department with vast forestry experience as District Forest Officer, Forest Planning Officer, Forest Plantation Officer, State Silviculturist and Director in the Forestry Training Division. He was also the State Forestry Director for the state of Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu dan Selangor. Currently he is the Senior Director of the Forest Management Division. YBhg. Dato’ Hj. Ahmad Fadzil was also actively involved in national and international agenda such as IPBES, AICHI Targets, CBD to name a few.

VI

All Rights Reserved

Ricky A. Martin is currently the Deputy Head of SFM Division (Forest Plantation) and at the same time heading the Social Forestry Section in the SFM Division at the Sabah Forestry Department. He has been with the Department since 1986, initially in the Research & Development Division (in Agroforestry Section) for 11 years, then joined the Malaysian-German SFM Project in 1997, stationed at Deramakot Forestry Office. He spent 4 years in DFR practicing SFM and eventually in 1999, he was made the first Deramakot District Forest Officer. In 2001, he joined the SFD Headquarters, initially working with the SFM Monitoring and Auditing Section and later in the Social Forestry Section. Current work is on social forestry management in Sabah, as well as conducting various social forestry assessments throughout Sabah forest reserves. Personal interests include social forestry, agroforestry, forest-community conflict, IPLC food security, IPLC adaptation to climate change, PES and carbon sequestration. He holds a BSc (Agroforestry) from University College of North Wales (Bangor, UK-1995) and MSc on Tropical Forest Resource Management from UPM in 2003.

Ts. Abang Nuradzizi Bin Abang Bolhi is an engineer of Forest Department Sarawak since 2016. As an engineer and a certified Professional Technologist by Malaysian Board of Technologists, he plans and manages communities’ based nature development projects of the surrounding and inside the forest reserves in Sarawak which he benefitted his skills from his Bachelor Degree of Civil Engineering of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and it is strengthen with his Master in Environmental Science (Land Use and Water Resource Management) from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Elne Betrece Johnlee is the Head of the Forest Socioeconomic Programme in the Forest Research Centre (FRC), Sabah Forestry Department (SFD). Elne holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry (Wood Technology & Industry) and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Forestry (International Tropical Forestry), both at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. She has been working with SFD since 2011, attached at the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Division as a FLEGT Officer mainly focusing on TLAS and SFMLA audit. In 2013, she was the Assistant District Forest Officer in Beaufort specifically tasked in managing the Rumbia Information Centre, Kuala Penyu. Thereafter, in 2015, is transferred to FRC, mainly focusing on research until now. Her work involves research on social science, forest socioeconomics, ecosystem services assessment, social impact assessment, forest recreation, agroforestry, and forest plantation.

Mohd Yussainy bin Md Yusop holds a BSc. of Forestry from UPM and Master Phil. (Remote Sensing) from UTM. He is currently the Director of Forest Eco Park & State Park Division, FDPM and is one of the key persons who introduced the Malim Gunung Perhutanan program into the forest management landscape of Peninsular Malaysia. He is passionate about community participation in forest management and was appointed as Government Representative for Sustainable Tourism Committee, UNDP Malaysia.

Rahman Khan is the Group Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of Jawala Inc., a company listed on the Singapore Exchange SGX engaged in sustainable forest management with focus on industrial tree plantations ITP through Jawala Plantation Industries Sdn. Bhd., JPISB in Sabah, Malaysia. Under his leadership, the group developed 3,800 hectares and planted 1.5 million seedlings, with Laran (Neolamarckia cadamba) dominating 2,934 hectares and 1.1 million seedlings. He leads the sustainability and conservation initiatives of the group. Under his leadership, this group was awarded “The 2022 Malaysia Outstanding ESG Impact Corporate Excellent Awards and “The 2022 Malaysia Outstanding SDG Impact Icon Awards”. In June 2023, Mr. Rahman Khan led JPISB to win the Best Model Forest Plantation award by the Malaysian Timber Industry Board, recognized for its strong forest management and ESG practices. Rahman is also the Deputy President of Sabah Timber Industries Association (STIA) for the period from 2024 to 2026. He was the member of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 18 Member Assembly National Consultation Group on forest conversion. He has established a strong network with Malaysia’s and international timber organizations and actively engages in timber trade policy formulations. He is also a member of Sabah’s Forest Plantation Steering Committee.

Kelvin Pang obtained his degree in International Tropical Forest Management from Universiti Malaysia Sabah in 2004. He has been with the Sabah Forestry Department at the Forest Research Centre ever since. With 19 years of dedicated experience in forest plantation research and management, Kelvin specializes in fast-growing species such as Batai, Binuang, Laran, Talisai Paya and etc. He has successfully led several projects under the quinquennial Malaysia Plans, including the notable initiative “Promoting Tree Planting by Smallholders and Local Communities as an Important Source of Wood for the Timber Industry” under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan.

Asri bin Draman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry Science from University Putra Malaysia, graduating in 2012. He served as the Assistant Director of Information Procurement in the Forest Plantation & Protection Division of the Forest Department Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM). In this role, he played a crucial part in analyzing data and assessing the viability of forest plantations within the Permanent Reserve Forest (PRF) in Peninsular Malaysia. Additionally, he focused on developing an updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for forest plantation development in these areas. He is also a member of the team responsible for submitting a proposal to the National Land Council regarding the future direction of forest plantations in Peninsular Malaysia.

Eveleen Bt Augustine Lai, a senior Executive Forester at the Forest Department Sarawak, holds a Bachelor of Forestry Science with Honours from University Malaysia Sabah (UMS).  She has been with the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) for the past 12 years, gaining extensive experience across various divisions. She is a highly skilled Senior Executive Forester with a demonstrated history of coordinating the implementation of the Sarawak Timber Legality Verification System (STLVS) from year 2011 till 2020. In addition, she oversees the auditing of the processes and procedures (P&P) in revenue collection under Revenue and Economy division, now known as the Revenue Data and Management Division (RDMD). She is currently the Head of Industrial Forest Plantation Section, responsible for managing data on tree planting progress and auditing tree planting performance for all Licensed Planted Forests in Sarawak under the Restoration dan Industrial Forest Division.

Dr Kevin Kit Siong Ng is currently a senior researcher and the Head of the Genetics Laboratory at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Our team has developed DNA databases for timber tracking and plant species identification and authentication through DNA barcoding, which has been instrumental in combating illegal logging and supporting various industries. Additionally, my research interests focus on utilizing genetic and genomic data from tropical timber trees to explore patterns of genetic variation both within and between species. I seek to uncover the historical and ecological processes that have shaped these patterns, particularly how changing environments and human-mediated factors influence populations and adaptive variation in natural populations of tropical timber trees.

Tuan Marina binti Tuan Ibrahim currently is the Head of Section in Forest Planning and Economics Division, Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM). She graduated from University Utara Malaysia (UUM) with a Bachelor Degree in Economics and has been with JPSM for 28 years. Her areas of expertise are in Payment of Ecosystem Services (PES), Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), Economic Evaluation of Forest Ecosystem Goods and Services and Scoping Study for Sustainable Financing. She has vast experience as Forest Economist with numerous participations in local and international conferences and seminars.

Khairunnisa binti Othman is a Senior Research Officer in the Research and Development Division at the Forest Department Sarawak, where she has been serving since 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Resource Biotechnology from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and a Master’s Degree in Global Environmental Studies from Kyoto University, Japan. Currently she is the head program of Biotechnology and some of her research works includes the propagation and conservation of various plants, including Aquilaria sp., orchids, and other herbaceous plant species.

Alviana Damit is an Assistant Research Officer with over 17 years of service at the Forest Research Centre (FRC) under the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD). She holds a BSc Mathematics with Economics, and MSc Ecological Processes from Universiti Malaysia Sabah. She is one of the workforce in the ongoing Sabah Plant Red List initiative by SFD since 2018, which aims to complete and publish the global assessment of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for plants in Sabah and Borneo. She currently serves as the Project Manager for “The Conservation and Recovery of The Rare, Threatened and Endemic Plants in Sabah” project at the FRC.

Ivy Wong Abdullah is a nature conservationist with extensive work experience spanning more than 25 years in sectors of academia, NGOs (local and international), private sector, regional government to philanthropic organizations on subjects of biodiversity conservation, forest and forestry practices, climate change and green economy in Malaysia. A driver for outcomes leading towards impact in achieving sustainable development. Previous work experience includes that of 1) being part of the pioneer team at Yayasan Hasanah, the Impact based Foundation of Khazanah Nasional, in setting up the Environment Impact Area, 2) Vice President, Environment at Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) setting up the strategic framework on natural asset protection and nurturing a green economy in the implementation of a Low Carbon Society blueprint in Iskandar Malaysia. Currently, serving as the CEO for Malaysia in Permian Global, a UK based mission led business that channels private sector carbon finance into the design and implementation of projects that protect and regenerate threatened tropical forests.

Rosila Anthony is a key figure in the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and leads various important initiatives in forest management and climate change action. She holds a MSc holder in Tropical Forest Resource Management from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and has been with the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) since 1992. As the Head of the Forest Sector Planning Division, she coordinates with government and international organizations on forestry matters and spearheads projects such as the EU funded Tackling Climate Change through Sustainable Forest Management and Community Development Project, Sustainable Use of Peatland and Haze Mitigation in ASEAN (SUPA) Project, Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystem in Malaysia (SMPEM), and the GEF-UNDP FOLUR Impact Program. Additionally, she plays a vital role in the Secretariat of the Sabah Climate Change Action Council (SCAC), focusing on climate-related forestry projects like REDDPlus, PES, and NBS.

Mohd Khairul Anuar bin Rahim currently is the Assistant Director in Silviculture and Forest Biodiversity Division, Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM). He graduated from University Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 2009 with a Bachelor Degree (Science of Forestry) and has been with JPSM for 16 years. Working experience started as Assistant District Forest Officer in Perak and was appointed as G41 officer in 2011 and continued to serve the department in Pahang State Forestry Department for seven (7) years. He then served as Assistant Director in Central Forest Spine for two (2) years prior to current position in JPSM headquarters.

Dr. Malcom Demies graduated with Doctor of Philosophy in Terrestrial Ecology from UNIMAS, an MSc in Botany, and a BSc in Conservation Biology and Ecology of Tropical Forest from UKM. He has dedicated his career to understanding and preserving the delicate ecosystem of tropical rainforests in Sarawak. With more than two decades of experience, he has conducted numerous assessments and research projects related to tree diversity, composition, ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity survey methods, HCVF assessments, forest resource inventory, and forest carbon activities.

 

Dr Henry Chan holds the degrees Doctor of Social Sciences from the University of Helsinki, Finland and Master of Philosophy from the Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya. He is Conservation Director for WWF-Malaysia. In the WWF global network, he is Zero Extinction Lead for the WWF Asia-Pacific 25 countries, and a member of the Steering Committee for WWF’s Strategic Framework for Key Tropical Forest Regions. Leading the mission “to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature,” as the Conservation Director, his responsibilities cover the whole of Malaysia. The conservation programmes span Marine, Wildlife, Forests and Protected Areas, Freshwater, as well as Policy and Climate Change, Education for Sustainable Development, Community Engagement and Education, Sustainable Production and Consumption, and Sustainable Financing. Henry joined WWF-Malaysia in May 2012 as Head of Conservation Sarawak. Over April 2015 to July 2017, he was seconded to be the Heart of Borneo Leader for WWF-Malaysia and WWF-Indonesia. Henry is a Trustee of the Yayasan Hijau Malaysia, member of the National Biodiversity Roundtable to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Malaysia. His published works include the documentary, “Bornean Elephants – A Journey Through A Living Landscape (Editor);” Securing the Future: Net Zero Pathways for Malaysia Report, November 2021 (Lead Contributing Author); The Environmental Status of Borneo 2016 (2017); Living Landscapes, Connected Communities: Culture, Environment, and Change Across Asia as co-author (2013); Punan Vuhang Belief System in the Borneo Research Bulletin Vol. 39 (2008); Survival in the Rainforest: Change and Resilience among the Punan Vuhang of Eastern Sarawak, Malaysia, Research Series in Anthropology No. 12 (2007).

Hjh Mohizah Binti Hj Mohamad Graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) with Bachelor of Science (Botany & Ecology) (Hons) in 1995. Acquired her Master of Science in Forest Ecology from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in 2003. She started her career as a Research Officer (Botany) with Forest Department Sarawak in 1995 in Research & Development Division for almost 27 years focusing on Forest Botany and curating  the Sarawak Herbarium.  She is also the Principal Investigator for Lambir Long Term Ecological Research Plot Network funded by ForestGeo, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, U.S.A.  She is currently an experienced Question Setter for the Sarawak Civil Service after her attachment to the Human Resource Unit, Chief Minister’s Department in 2005-2008. Coming back to Forest Department Sarawak as the Section Head for Flora Biodiversity in 2009 till 2019. In 2020-2022 she was promoted as the Senior Assistant Director for Research, Development & Innovation Division.  Current position is The Head of  Division for the International Affair Division, Forest Department Sarawak.

Julsun J. Sikui received his Bachelor of Forestry Science and a Master of Science from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2001 and 2005, respectively. He is a dedicated research officer and certified drone pilot at the Forest Research Centre (FRC). Currently, Julsun is the Head of the Forest Ecosystem Management Programme. His expertise includes natural forest silviculture, forest ecosystems and services, and UAV mapping, all of which contribute significantly to advancing sustainable forest management practices.

Syed Mohd Adzha bin Syed Khalid holds a Master in Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2021. Presently, he works as Assistant Director, Monitoring and Extension, Central Forest Spine Section, Forest Management Division, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia. The scope of works is planning, implementing and monitoring the implementation of Central Forest Spine (CFS) expansion and publicity activities to form the backbone of the Environmentally Sensitive Area (KSAS) in Peninsular Malaysia which is in line with the National Physical Plan.

Robert Martin Mijol is the Head of the Forest Audit Section at the Sabah Forestry Department. With a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Robert embarked on his forestry career in 2007. From 2007-2010, he served as the Project Secretariat for the Heart of Borneo Initiative, focusing on large-scale conservation across Borneo. In 2016, he became the District Forestry Officer of Ulu Segama-Malua, where he played a pivotal role in forest conservation, wildlife habitat rehabilitation, and achieving Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Since 2021, Robert become the Head of Section Forest Audit under the Sustainable Forest Management Division, where he oversees the progress of forest certification and auditing progress for Sabah Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS). Currently, Robert is also working closely with Federal authorities and the European Union to revise the Sabah TLAS checklist to align with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements, which will be fully enforced by 30th December 2024

Abd Ramlizauyahhudin bin Mahli holds a Master of Philosophy in Remote Sensing from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and a Bachelor of Science Forestry from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Currently working as Director of Forest Enforcement Division at Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia. He has held various positions and served in several State Forestry Department since 1993 until now.

Semilan Anak Ripot hold a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) earned in 1989. He started his career as an Executive Forest Officer with the Forest Department Sarawak in 1990 and was seconded to Sarawak Forestry Corporation Sdn Bhd in 2003, where he held several positions, including Revenue Manager and Kuching Regional Manager. With over 30 years of experience in the forestry and timber industries, he has expertise in Sustainable Forest Management, Sarawak Timber Legality Verification System (STLVS), reforestation, rehabilitation, forest produce and revenue. He currently serves as the Deputy Director of Forests (Forest Management) in the Forest Department Sarawak.

Siti Zubaidah S. Abdullah graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biotechnology from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu in August 2008. Her career with the Sabah Forestry Department began shortly after in October 2008, when she joined as a contract Assistant Research Officer under the Heart of Borneo RMK-9 Project.

In April 2011, she was appointed into the Public Service, taking on the role of Research Officer at the Forest Sector Planning Division. She was positioned at the International Forestry and Corporate Affairs Unit and was involved with several projects undertaken by the department, amongst others, the Sabah Independent Auditing of SFMLA Project in support of the Governments of Germany and The Netherlands through the GTZ Malaysia, the SFD-ISME Mangrove Rehabilitation Project in Sabah, and the GoM-UNDP-GEF Project on Biodiversity Conservation in Multiple-use Forest Landscapes in Sabah, Malaysia. Siti Zubaidah was transferred to the Policy, Legislation, and Sectoral Development Unit in 2018, where she was responsible for handling policy and legislative matters for the department. In June 2021, she was appointed as the Deputy Head of Division for Forest Sector Planning, a position she held until recently.