Day: June 8, 2024

SERIAN, June 8 (Bernama) – The Sarawak Forestry Department (JHS) has successfully developed a technology to determine the Forest Volume Modelling of trees and estimate the carbon content through a partnership with the National Institute of Environment Studies, Japan (NIES).

Sarawak Forestry Department director Datuk Hamden Mohammad said a number of officers from the department were sent to NIES which is based in Tsukuba to undergo technological training on forest based data analysis on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR).

He said this in his speech at the Sarawak-level International Forests Day 2024 Celebrations which was officially launched by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Sabal Forest Reserve in Simunjan, about 60km from here, today.

According to Hamden this partnership between the Sarawak Forestry Department and the NIES, Japan had created a historic chapter for the state and hoped that this collaboration will benefit Sarawak, especially for the forestry sector and the environme
nt.

‘Recently, the department had established a strategic partnership with the Skogforsk Research Institute, of Sweden for the transfer of technical expertise, as the institute develops and communicate knowledge, services and products that will promote sustainable development in the use of forest for the benefit of society and to adhere to the current policy of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR),’ he said.

Hamden said at the domestic level, JHS works closely with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) by establishing the ‘Drone Seeding’ application technology for the forest restoration programme.

He said the department’s commitment was to offer quality services continuously and which earned recognition as well as sweep a number of awards since 2022.

The awards include the Innovation Award at the Malaysia Technology Expo 2024; Public Service Innovation Asia (Gold and Silver); Special Award Chinese Innovation and Invention Society (Taiwan); Premier Sarawak Gold Award for Quality Public Services and
Integrity Award for Governance and Anti-Corruption (AIGA) in Gold Category 2023.

During the celebrations today, JHS received a certificate from the Malaysia Book of Records for the category of ‘Most Shorea macrophylla Tree Planting in an Event’ after planting 3,010 Engkabang jantong trees at the Sabal Forest Reserve on March 21.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

ALOR SETAR, The unity machinery in Kedah will continue to be empowered to strengthen its role and functions in boosting the spirit of tolerance, cooperation and harmony in the state.

State Welfare, Women, Family, Community and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Halimaton Shaadiah Saad said unity is of great importance and must be a way of life practised by everyone, in addition to it being the responsibility of all to preserve it.

“As such, there is a need to empower the role of the unity machinery, which comprises Rukun Tetangga Community (KRT) and its branches, Volunteer Patrol Scheme, Pre-School, Unity Nursery, Unity Squad, Community Mediator, Rukun Negara Club and the Rukun Negara Secretariat.

“My office is always open to listening to proposals towards realising the aspirations of the unity machinery, with hopes that after this, community issues can be addressed in a better and more effective way,’ she said.

She said this after officiating the launch of the state-level Unity Week Celebration 2024 at the
grounds of the Darul Aman Stadium here today, which was also attended by Ministry of National Unity secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof.

Commenting on the programme, Halimaton Shaadiah hoped that all parties would learn to understand and celebrate the customs, culture and way of life of the people of various races, thus creating lasting harmony.

“The main objective of organising this programme is to boost the spirit of unity and disseminate knowledge, belief and appreciation of the diversity of customs and culture in Malaysian society. Let’s understand it and protect it because the progress of a nation depends on the unity of its people,’ she said.

The two-day programme, which began yesterday, showcases the way of life, culture and food of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Siamese and Orang Asli as well as the traditional equipment and decorations, houses and wedding ceremonies.

The programme also offers RAHMAH Sales, Harmony Exercise, Unity Fun Walk and Plogging (picking up trash while jogging), ethnic hous
e exhibition, government agency exhibition, cooking competition and Jejak Rukun Negara-Treasure Hunt.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) is ready to assist local agribusiness entrepreneurs registered under the agency in digital marketing to improve their sales performance.

FAMA director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri said the agency is committed to helping FAMA entrepreneurs grow in line with global modernisation trends.

“We organise programmes like this (online marketing) so that FAMA entrepreneurs can move forward on par with other successful entrepreneurs in the Asian region.

“This new online marketing method needs to be explored by FAMA entrepreneurs and this is a trend that is becoming increasingly popular among buyers in this country. I hope entrepreneurs can increase their income and customer reach,” he said when met at the Launching Ceremony of the Agromarketing Masterclass Programme: TikTok Shop Edition, here yesterday.

He said the pilot programme with TikTok Shop and City-Link Express can train and guide entrepreneurs in marketing products more creatively and qualitati
vely.

Abdul Rashid said the agency also plans to hold more similar training programmes for agro entrepreneurs in the future.

“If this programme is successful and receives a good response from our entrepreneurs, we will hold another programme specifically for marketing through e-commerce,” he said.

According to TikTok Shop’s Head of Strategic Partnerships, Nur Azre Abdul Aziz, the collaboration with FAMA can help local agro entrepreneurs expand their sales performance and quality of producs at the national level.

“So far we have supported more than 1.3 million entrepreneurs and 98 per cent are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

“TikTok Shop’s support is not only to increase the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs, but also to make their businesses well-known, thus providing job opportunities especially in rural areas,” she said.

The programme, a pilot project by FAMA, involves 80 companies registered under FAMA.

The programme implementation is divided into two groups, namely from June 7 to 9 for th
e first group and July 5 to 7 for the second group, also involving Persons with Disabilities (OKU) entrepreneurs.

Irwan Fairuzi Johari, 40, a Trendvile Marketing entrepreneur who is also a FAMA OKU entrepreneur, said the programme can help expand his business platform which focuses on selling various flavours of keropok (fried crackers) and frozen food products.

“There is still a lot I need to learn and I’m excited to learn because now everything (purchases) is online, from buying spices to soy sauce, so I also need to learn how to improve marketing and ad content,” said Irwan Fairuzi, who has been suffering from a neurological disorder for 10 years.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency