FRIM Selangor Forest Park listed as Malaysia’s sixth UNESCO World Heritage Site

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 12: The Forest Research Institute Malaysia’s (FRIM) Selangor Forest Park has been officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it the sixth site in Malaysia to receive the prestigious designation.

The announcement was made during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, currently taking place from July 6 to 16 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

The inscription marks a significant international recognition of Malaysia’s efforts in tropical forest restoration and biodiversity conservation.

This decision was reached by 21 member countries of the World Heritage Committee, chaired by Professor Nikolay Nenov of Bulgaria. The listing is the result of a decade-long nomination process that began in 2013 and underscores Malaysia’s commitment to environmental sustainability and heritage preservation.

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) emphasised that FRIM Selangor Forest Park stands out as one of the earliest large-scale tropical forest ecosystem rehabilitation initiatives globally.

Developed on land previously degraded by tin mining, the site has successfully regenerated into a thriving secondary tropical rainforest, rich in biodiversity and featuring a high diversity of tree species.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, researchers, and conservationists who have worked tirelessly to restore and protect this unique forest ecosystem,” MOTAC said the in a statement today.

With this achievement, Malaysia now joins the ranks of countries with multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, adding to its existing five: Kinabalu Park and Gunung Mulu National Park (both listed in 2000), the Historic Cities of Melaka and George Town (2008), the Lenggong Valley Archaeological Heritage (2012), and the Niah National Park Cave Complex (2024).

The Ministry also expressed its gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education Malaysia, the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (SKUM), and Malaysia’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris for securing international support for the nomination.

“This collective effort reflects the spirit of Malaysia Madani, which champions inclusivity, unity, and sustainability,” MOTAC added.

The newly listed site is expected to significantly boost eco-tourism in Selangor, in line with upcoming tourism campaigns such as Visit Selangor Year 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Authorities hope the recognition will draw more international tourists, benefiting local communities and contributing to Malaysia’s economic growth.

As of now, 1,223 sites around the world have been inscribed as World Heritage Sites under the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. — DayakDaily

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