Dato’ Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim’s arrival is welcomed by the Perak Forestry Department staff

IPOH, 20 May 2026 – The Perak State Government continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainable forest management as the main thrust of the state development to ensure that the balance between economic progress, environmental sustainability and people’s wellbeing continues to be maintained in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 agenda.

This commitment is reflected through various strategic initiatives of the Perak Forestry Department, implemented continuously to ensure that the state's forest treasures remain preserved, resilient and provide long-term benefits to future generations.

To date, the Permanent Reserved Forests (PRFs) area in Perak has been recorded at 988,723.93 hectares or 46.8 percent of the state's total area, demonstrating the state government's determination in maintaining green cover as a strategic development asset.

Of this total, more than 495,000 hectares are protected forest areas that function as water catchment areas, soil protection, wildlife habitats, as well as research and biodiversity conservation areas that form the backbone of the state's ecosystem stability.

In an effort to strengthen environmentally sensitive areas, 1,259.02 hectares of new PRFs were gazetted in 2025, involving inland forests and mangrove forests, demonstrating the state government's firm stance in ensuring that environmental sustainability is not compromised by development pressures.

In terms of governance, the Perak Forestry Department has completed the Perak Forest Management Plan 2026–2035, a comprehensive plan to strengthen more systematic, sustainable and high-impact forest management.

This effort is reinforced through the Kuala Gula Mangrove Forest Reserve Management Plan 2026–2030, which emphasises on the preservation of mangrove forests and coastal ecosystems, while supporting the fisheries sector, marine resources and the local community economy in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 blue economy aspirations.

Meanwhile, Pulau Kalumpang has been preserved as a High Conservation Value Area (HCVA) since 8 September 2007, based on its high biodiversity value and the importance of archaeological heritage to Perak.

The uniqueness of the area not only strengthens the state's heritage identity, but also opens up great potential for sustainable ecotourism development capable of generating a sustainable community economy.

Along with biodiversity conservation efforts, the Perak Forestry Department also implemented a programme to plant 200 seeds and 150 Kalumpang Jari Tree saplings at the Bukit Larut Nursery as a measure to conserve the state’s heritage species.

At the same time, Perak recorded a proud achievement by planting 11.4 million trees under the Malaysia Greening Programme: 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign, exceeding the national target set.

Additionally, Perak also maintained its Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management Certification (MC&I SFM) for the period 2024–2029, confirming compliance with international standards and the implementation of best practices in sustainable forest management.

This ongoing commitment was also expressed through State Secretary Dato’ Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim’s working visit to the Permanent Reserved Forest areas in the Kuala Kangsar and Larut Matang districts today.

The visit included the Eucalyptus Forest Plantation in Compartments 192, 193, and 195 of Piah Forest Reserve, the rehabilitated forest area in Compartment 18S of Bintang Hijau Forest Reserve and Pulau Kalumpang in Kuala Gula, Bagan Serai.

The delegation then continued their visit by boat from the Larut Matang Mangrove Forest Eco-Education Centre, Kuala Sepetang to Pulau Kalumpang for a briefing on its history, ecological value and importance as a High Conservation Value Area (HCVA).

Among the archaeological discoveries in the area are human skeletal remains, glass beads, pottery and food remnants, proving the existence of past human settlements around the 12th century.

Apart from its historical value, Pulau Kalumpang is also known for the Kalumpang Jari Tree, which has become the heritage identity of Perak.

The visit concluded with the planting of a Kalumpang Jari Tree by the State Secretary at Pulau Kalumpang.

Also present were Perak Forestry Director Dato’ Mohd Basri Abdul Manaf, Local Government Division Senior Deputy Director Mohd Zairasyahli Shah Zakaria, Larut, Matang and Selama District Officer Mohd Nasrul Menhat, Kerian District Officer Saidi Shaari and Kerian District Council President Helmi Yusof @ Jusoh.

The State Government emphasised that forest conservation is not just an environmental responsibility, but a strategic investment to safeguard the people’s wellbeing, economic sustainability and the continuity of Perak's natural heritage for future generations.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.