Latest news with #ZahariIbrahim
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Malaysia among world's top countries for certified tropical rainforest areas
KANGAR: More than 83 per cent of the Permanent Forest Reserves (PRF) in this country have been certified under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification or PEFC scheme to date, making Malaysia among the countries with the largest area of certified tropical rainforest in the world. Peninsular Malaysia Forestry director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the achievement also places Malaysia as the only tropical rainforest country in the top 10 globally in terms of certified forest area, surpassing major tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. "This achievement not only proves the effectiveness of state policies but also reflects the commitment to enforcement at the local level as well as the continued determination of the Peninsula Malaysia Forestry Department in practising the principles of sustainable, responsible and competitive forest management on the global stage," he said. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Nakawan Rainforest Festival, held in conjunction with this year's state-level International Forest Day celebration, at the South Perlis District Forest Office Square, Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near here, today. The closing ceremony was officiated by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. Also present was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. Meanwhile, Zahari said that four new areas had been gazetted as PFR, making the total PFR area in the state of Perlis 11,140 hectares last year, compared to 10,870 hectares in 2023. "Congratulations and well done to the state government for this commitment, which should be used as an example to other states in increasing efforts to preserve and conserve priceless natural treasures," he said. He added that 114.72 million trees, comprising 1,972 tree species, had been successfully planted nationwide since the launch of the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Zahari also expressed his appreciation to the Perlis state government for the success of the campaign, which had recorded 1,039,759 trees planted as of May 22, exceeding the initial target of one million trees. – BERNAMA
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Over 83% of Malaysia's PFR under PEFC, places nation in world's top 10
KANGAR: More than 83 per cent of the Permanent Forest Reserves (PRF) in this country have been certified under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification or PEFC scheme to date, making Malaysia among the countries with the largest area of certified tropical rainforest in the world. Peninsular Malaysia Forestry director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the achievement also places Malaysia as the only tropical rainforest country in the top 10 globally in terms of certified forest area, surpassing major tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. 'This achievement not only proves the effectiveness of state policies but also reflects the commitment to enforcement at the local level as well as the continued determination of JPSM (Peninsula Malaysia Forestry Department) in practising the principles of sustainable, responsible and competitive forest management on the global stage,' he said. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Nakawan Rainforest Festival, held in conjunction with this year's state-level International Forest Day celebration, at the South Perlis District Forest Office Square, Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near here, today. The closing ceremony was officiated by the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. Also present was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. Meanwhile, Zahari said that four new areas had been gazetted as PFR, making the total PFR area in the state of Perlis to 11,140 hectares last year compared to 10,870 hectares in 2023. 'Congratulations and well done to the state government for this commitment which should be used as an example to other states in increasing efforts to preserve and conserve priceless natural treasures,' he said. He added that 114.72 million trees, comprising 1,972 tree species, had been successfully planted nationwide since the launch of the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Zahari also expressed his appreciation to the Perlis state government for the success of the campaign, which had recorded 1,039,759 trees planted as of May 22, exceeding the initial target of one million trees.
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Over 83% of Malaysia's forests PEFC-certified, in top 10 globally
KANGAR: More than 83 per cent of the Permanent Forest Reserves (PRF) in this country have been certified under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification or PEFC scheme to date, making Malaysia among the countries with the largest area of certified tropical rainforest in the world. Peninsular Malaysia Forestry director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the achievement also places Malaysia as the only tropical rainforest country in the top 10 globally in terms of certified forest area, surpassing major tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. 'This achievement not only proves the effectiveness of state policies but also reflects the commitment to enforcement at the local level as well as the continued determination of JPSM (Peninsula Malaysia Forestry Department) in practising the principles of sustainable, responsible and competitive forest management on the global stage,' he said. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Nakawan Rainforest Festival, held in conjunction with this year's state-level International Forest Day celebration, at the South Perlis District Forest Office Square, Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near here, today. The closing ceremony was officiated by the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. Also present was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. Meanwhile, Zahari said that four new areas had been gazetted as PFR, making the total PFR area in the state of Perlis to 11,140 hectares last year compared to 10,870 hectares in 2023. 'Congratulations and well done to the state government for this commitment which should be used as an example to other states in increasing efforts to preserve and conserve priceless natural treasures,' he said. He added that 114.72 million trees, comprising 1,972 tree species, had been successfully planted nationwide since the launch of the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Zahari also expressed his appreciation to the Perlis state government for the success of the campaign, which had recorded 1,039,759 trees planted as of May 22, exceeding the initial target of one million trees.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Syndicates illegally mining gold in Pahang, Kelantan protected forests, says Forestry Dept chief
KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 — Illegal gold miners are reportedly targeting remote forest reserves in Malaysia's east coast, using cover activities like agriculture and other mineral extraction to avoid detection. Sinar Harian today reported Forestry Department Director-General Zahari Ibrahim as saying that these syndicates often conduct reconnaissance to identify gold-rich spots before bringing in heavy machinery and mining equipment. 'Once an area is identified, the syndicates bring in machinery including backhoes, excavators, four-wheel-drive vehicles, as well as equipment such as sluice boxes, water pumps and generators,' he was quoted as saying. 'These operations are also carried out with the involvement of foreign workers'. The syndicates were also said to sometimes include former licensed miners and employ 'tontos' — lookouts paid to monitor enforcement officers and delay raids. Some individuals reportedly also operate on a smaller scale using traditional panning methods based on personal knowledge of mineral hotspots. Zahari was quoted as saying that to date, the department has seized equipment worth RM66,500, with most cases concentrated in Pahang and Kelantan. Illegal operations were said to be detected through satellite imaging and on-ground patrols, with offenders often clearing large forest areas and using chemicals that harm the soil and biodiversity. He reportedly said that each hectare of forest reserve lost is valued at around RM5 million due to environmental and economic impacts, including damage to ecosystems and water sources. Zahari reportedly urged the public to respect protected forests, warning that illegal mining leads to long-term national losses and will be met with firm enforcement.
