KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (KATS), Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM) released the National Tree Stamps to mark the launching of merbau as the country's national tree.
 
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, launched the National Tree this morning at the opening of ‘Hutan Kita’ Exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Tower. 
 
The exhibition, organised by KATS, will be open to the public from tomorrow until 22 September. The exhibition aims to highlight the diversity and uniqueness of the country's biodiversity as well as its landscape which is still largely covered by forests.
 
To instill the spirit of loving the country’s forests as well as to raise awareness on the importance of biodiversity conservation among Malaysians, KATS, FRIM and FDPM came up with the idea of introducing a national tree.
 
Merbau or malacca teak (Intsia palembanica) is a tree species of legume family (Fabaceae). It is found widely in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, especially along rivers in lowland forests right up to 1,000 m altitude.

It is a large-sized tree up to 50 m tall, with straight boles as well as buttresses up to 4 m in height.
Merbau timber is a high quality heavy hardwood. It is durable and termite resistant, therefore popularly used as flooring materials including for swimming pool.
 
"Its durability symbolises the integrity of the country's forests, which is the result of sustainable management and the effectiveness of Malaysia's biodiversity conservation efforts," said FRIM Director General Dato' Dr Abd Latif Mohmod.
 
For those interested, the limited-edition stamps will be sold at RM40 at the FRIM Visitor Information Centre (VIC), Kepong starting today. 

For pictures of merbau, visit: https://frim-cloud.frim.gov.my/url/v7w3a7zrbbahq9kr

Issued by the FRIM Corporate Communication Unit.

Source: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Lim Chung Lu 
Tel: 017-479 7687 
Email: limchunglu@frim.gov.my

Name: Toh An Nee 
Tel: 012-250 6897 
Email: annee@frim.gov.my

--BERNAMA