Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar today planted the 100 millionth tree in the parliamentary herb garden, symbolizing a milestone in the 2021 to 2025 campaign to plant 100 million trees.
Anwar, accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah, planted Malaysia's national tree, the Intsia palembanica, one of the tree species planted in the campaign.
Attendees included Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
A statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources highlighted that with the completion of this ceremony by the Prime Minister, the goal of the campaign to plant 100 million trees by 2021 to 2025 under the Malaysian Greening Plan has been achieved ahead of schedule.
The statement said this further strengthens Malaysia's position as a nation committed to environmental protection and aligns with the global sustainable development agenda.
“As of now, Malaysia has successfully achieved 18 million hectares of forest coverage, accounting for 54.58% of the total land area, meeting our commitment made at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to ensure at least 50% of our land is covered with forests and green areas.”
According to the Peninsular Forestry Department, it is estimated that 20,000 to 80,000 hectares of forest area will be restored by 2025, depending on planting distances.
The campaign to plant 100 million trees is the government's commitment under the Malaysia Madani framework to the principles of sustainable development, aimed at contributing to a greener future and improving the quality of life for the people.
This campaign was launched on January 5, 2021, in strategic collaboration with the Peninsular Forestry Department, various state forestry departments in the Peninsula, Sarawak Forestry Department, Sabah Forestry Department, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), and the Malaysian Green Foundation (YHM).
Additionally, the Malaysian Greening Exhibition is being held from yesterday until tomorrow in the House of Representatives Hall, with participants including the Ministry of Natural Resources, Peninsular Forestry Department, Sarawak Forestry Department, Sabah Forestry Department, FRIM, YHM, the Malaysian Forestry Fund, and the Malaysian Religious Fund.