KUCHING: A total of 78 people, including thirty Sarawakians, received their Forestry Training Institute Certificates (Fortrain) yesterday.
The award ceremony was held at Alwy Hall, Forestry Training Division, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.
Officiating at the 32nd Fortrain Award Ceremony was Land, Water and Natural Resources Deputy Minister Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji.
Director of Sarawak Forestry Department (JHS) Hamden Mohammad in his speech at the event said the department created history in 2018 when it was able to send, for the first time, Sarawakians (sponsored by the department and state government) to obtain training at Fortrain.
“This is the first in the history of JHS’ establishment over the last 100 years, through a collaboration realised by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between JHS and Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM) pertaining to the field of training signed in 2017,” Hamden said.
“Subsequent to the MoU, JHS was given the opportunity to send a total of thirty trainees for Fortrain training for a year. I also hope this cooperation will continue and to be further reinforced in the future,” he added.
Sarawak has outlined a comprehensive forestry policy as a guide to maintaining the greenery of the state, in ensuring flora and fauna are safeguarded and that the forest and its resources are preserved for the present and future generations, he stated.
“The size of the forested area in Sarawak is among the widest in Malaysia. As such there is an increasing need in the number of people to take care of it. Therefore, I hope the number of trainees
could be increased accordingly,” he said.
A trainee from Kampung Puak Krokong in Bau, Georgina Kunyan, was the proud recipient of the Director General of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia Challenge Trophy for Best Field Trainee. Georgina received a round shield, a shield replica and a certificate.
Apart from Hamden, also present at the event was director-general of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia Datuk Boharnudin Arshad.
