Forest Research Institute Malaysia

Forest Research Institute Malaysia - Kepong,Kuala Lumpur

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) founded in 1929 as the Forest Research Institute (FRI) was a department under the Forestry Headquarters Peninsular Malaysia. It was not until 1985, the Institute became a statutory body governed by the Malaysian Forestry Research and Development Board (MFRDB) under the then Ministry of Primary Industries. Later in 2004, FRIM was administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Located 16 km north west of Kuala Lumpur, the 544.3 ha campus is surrounded by the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve. FRIM, which recently was awarded the MS ISO 9001:2008 accreditation is headed by its Director General, Dato’ Dr. Abd. Latif Mohmod.

FRIM promotes sustainable forest management and the optimal use of forest resources through the knowledge and technology generated from the various researches conducted. Not only is FRIM proud of its diverse expertise, its award-winning researches and international collaborations have earned the Institute a name for itself in the tropical forestry.

FRIM has five research divisions, three technical support divisions and three administrative and finance divisions. Of the five research divisions, the Forestry & Environment Division focuses on conservation of forest ecology and biodiversity by providing data, standards and guidelines in managing tropical forest on a sustainable basis. The Forestry Biotechnology Division researchers into ways to establish cost-effective forest plantations as an alternative and/or supplementary supply of timber. The Forest Products Division researches into the utilisation of ligno-cellulosic materials and promotes the development of forest based industries. The Forest Biodiversity Division focuses on the conservation of forest biodiversity by providing samples, data, standards and guidelines in managing the tropical forest, while the Medicinal Plants Division researches into the medicinal values of forest plants and product development.

Among the facilities available at FRIM are the five arboreta that serve as ex-situ conservation areas and references for forestry education, a xylarium with more than 10,000 wood samples of over 1,500 species, a herbarium established in 1908 with over 200,000 specimens, a library, a nursery, several venues for seminars and conferences.

The nine field stations located in different localities in the country also facilitate researchers conducting studies in respective areas. The Institute also offers a wide range of tests and services for the industries such as preservative test, soil test as well as resistant tests for furniture and fire doors.

FRIM, which has become a popular spot for picnickers, joggers and nature groups provides visitors, opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education activities. It is also a preferred place for family day event, bird watching, jungle trekking and nature photography. The campus, which was once a degraded land with and long-abandoned sterile mining pools, scrubby wasteland and barren vegetable farms, is today a haven for nature lovers to enjoy fresh and for serene ambiance.