Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) as Heritage Forest: Existing Legal Protection and its Effectiveness

Abstract

FRIM campus is located in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was established in 1985 recognized as National Heritage Site in 2012. FRIM?s area is estimated 544.3 hectare to be considered as the largest man-made tropical forest and the oldest in the world and has the objective to achieve the recognition of the UNESCO World Heritage Site by 2020. FRIM has the world?s oldest exotic tree species serving as a research center for forestry, biodiversity conservation and forest resources, and tropical forests. Therefore, FRIM?s legacy status needs to be maintained with good management in accordance with the established law. Some legislations such as the Malaysian Forest Research Institute Act 2016 [Act 782], National Heritage Act 2005 [Act 645], National Forestry Act 1984 [Act 313], National Land Code, Land Acquisition Act 1960 [Act 486] and the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 [Act 172] will be discussed to review the effectiveness of law protection against FRIM as a heritage forest. The methodology of this study will use library study approaches and interviews with related respondents. The study found that FRIM?s forest site was not covered under several relevant Acts as there is no such gazette was registered in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Therefore, legal protection under existing legislation is less effective. The study suggests that FRIM to be gazetted as a permanent reserved forest based on its own function and as a river reserve capable of protecting FRIM?s forest status from developmental threats.