PM ANWAR PLANTS MALAYSIA'S 100 MILLIONTH TREE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today officiated at the planting of Malaysia’s 100 millionth tree at Taman Herba, Parliament here.

The event symbolised the achievement of the 100 Million Trees Planting Campaign 2021-2025.

During the ceremony, Anwar, accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, planted Malaysia’s national tree, the Merbau (Intsia palembanica), one of the species planted throughout the campaign.

Among those present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

In a statement, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) said the event marked the early success of Malaysia’s Greening Programme under the 100 Million Trees Planting Campaign 2021-2025, achieving the target ahead of schedule.

The ministry said this milestone reinforces Malaysia’s commitment to environmental conservation, aligning with global sustainable development agendas.

“To date, Malaysia has maintained forest cover of 18 million hectares, or 54.58 per cent of its land area, consistent with the nation’s pledge at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to ensure at least 50 per cent of its land area remains forested,” the statement said.

The NRES added that the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM) estimates that forest rehabilitation efforts will increase by 20,000 to 80,000 hectares by 2025, depending on planting distances.

The 100 Million Trees Planting Campaign 2021-2025 underscores the government’s commitment to sustainability, reflecting the principles of the Malaysia MADANI framework. This initiative aims to create a greener future and improve the quality of life for Malaysians.

Launched on Jan 5, 2021, the campaign is a strategic collaboration between JPSM, state forestry departments in Peninsular Malaysia, the Sarawak Forest Department (JH), the Sabah Forestry Department (JP), the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and Yayasan Hijau Malaysia (YHM).

Meanwhile, the Malaysia Greening Exhibition is being held in the main lobby of the Dewan Rakyat from yesterday until tomorrow. It features eight participating agencies - NRES, JPSM, JH Sarawak, JP Sabah, FRIM, YHM, Malaysia Forest Fund and Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA