About Us
Banun, Perak
/ TRLC /
Ammar, Fahmi and Luqman take a break for lunch at Tropical Rainforest Living Collection Banun, Perak.
The loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest environmental challenges the world faces. In Malaysia logging, agriculture, palm oil and development have all contributed to increased forest fragmentation and species loss. Approximately 80% of Malaysian rainforests are dominated by the Dipterocarpaceae family of trees, of which 93 species are considered threatened in Malaysia.
Dipterocarps have a unique biology and a slow reproductive cycle. Seeds are produced during mast fruiting events which occur every 5-7 years, and the seeds are ‘recalcitrant’ – their high-water content makes them unsuitable for storage (e.g. in a seed bank), and thus must be germinated. Recalcitrant seeds rescued from forest fragments can be planted out with seeds from different parents to create a living collection of trees that can reproduce perpetually. Seeds from the living collection could then serve future reforestation projects.
Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC) was established in 2012 to restore tropical rainforests and address the critical rate of biodiversity loss in Malaysia. TRCRC’s Mission is two-fold: to preserve tropical rainforest plant species and lead landscape-wide protection and reforestation projects throughout the country.
TRCRC plans to reconnect forest fragments through the reforestation of degraded patches using native trees sourced from nurseries as well as seedlings from rescued threatened plants. It serves two important national conservation policies: ex-situ conservation for the preservation of plant species and genetic diversity under the National Biodiversity plan, and the Heart of Borneo initiative, to support Malaysia’s commitments towards conservation.
Introduction
Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC) was established in 2012 to restore tropical rainforests and address the critical rate of biodiversity loss in Malaysia. TRCRC’s Mission is two-fold: to preserve tropical rainforest plant species and lead landscape-wide protection and reforestation projects throughout the country.
TRCRC plans to reconnect forest fragments through the reforestation of degraded patches using native trees sourced from nurseries as well as seedlings from rescued threatened plants. It serves two important national conservation policies: ex-situ conservation for the preservation of plant species and genetic diversity under the National Biodiversity plan, and the Heart of Borneo and Central Forest Spine initiatives, to support Malaysia’s commitments towards conservation.
With a dedicated team and through strategic partnerships, TRCRC has since grown and expanded its portfolio with the goal of making a bigger impact in forest conservation.
Introduction
Forest Conservation & Sustainable Development
The mission of Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC) is to preserve tropical rainforest plant species and lead landscape-wide protection and restoration projects throughout Malaysia.
Masnona and Sarifah removing unwanted weeds from germinated seedlings in Tropical Rainforest Living Collection Merisuli, Sabah.
Afandi, Aliff and Hafiz conducting a seed survey in the Amanjaya Forest Reserve, Perak.
Our Core Work
In order to safeguard tropical rainforest plant species and ensure a stable ecosystem, TRCRC aims to:
Establish multiple ex-situ Tropical Rainforest Living Collections (TRLCs) and plant nurseries throughout Malaysia, where we germinate, propagate, and eventually reintroduce rare and endangered plant species back into its native habitats
Lead landscape-wide protection and restoration projects throughout the country.
Dr Dzaeman Dzulkifli
Executive Director
Dzaeman is developing a range of sustainable land use strategies in efforts to realise the global dream of using underutilised land to mitigate climate change.
Reuben Durairatnam
Project Manager
Reuben has a background in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology with experience in different sectors but with a keen interest in environmental related solutions. He joined TRCRC as the Project Manager for the ‘Forest, the New Economy’ initiative. He is focused towards reforestation by developing economically viable sustainable solutions for degraded lands in Malaysia.
Mariam Ghani
Stakeholder Engagement & Communications Manager
Mariam spent over 5 years in the marketing & fundraising industry, raising millions for charities across Canada. A tropical girl at heart, she returned home to Malaysia where she rediscovered her love for rainforests. Combining passion with skill she hopes to bring positive change to our forests and the communities that rely on their preservation.
Afzaa Aziz
Conservation Manager
Afzaa oversees the Tropical Rainforest Living Collections in Peninsula Malaysia. Based at the Elmina Rainforest Knowledge Centre, she is also responsible for activating public outreach programmes and nurturing the ex-situ Elmina Living Collection Nursery of endangered native rainforest tree species. Inspired by dedicated conservation practitioners after a stint at Osa Conservation, Costa Rica, Afzaa now fully dedicates herself to tropical rainforest conservation and community-led conservation. The majesty of the rainforest and trees drives her passion to protect them. In her free time, you can find her upside down on her yoga mat or in search of Malaysia’s best curry puff. Afzaa has a MA Sustainable Cities from King's College London & BA Development Studies & Economics from SOAS, University of London.
Syed Danial Syed Abu Bakar
Project Manager
Syed completed his studies in biodiversity management, where he developed an appreciation for the complex relationship between biodiversity and conservation. Doing fieldwork is killing two birds with one stone for him, as he gets first-hand experience in deepening his understanding of biodiversity as well as enjoying nature. His interest for conservation deepened when he took care of orangutans in his previous role and experienced with his own eyes their intelligence. He finds nature even more astonishing when his favourite poets, T. Alias Taib and Sapardi Djoko Damono use nature like forest or woods to illustrate their writings. For Syed, he believes that doing community engagement is one way of making an active contribution in raising awareness about conservation.
Nor Ahmad Syahaiza Zamri
Elmina Project Executive
Aiza graduated in Plant Resource Science and management from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. She got interested in plant taxonomy during her second year in uni with the supervision of Dr Qammil Muzzammil Abdullah @ Meekiong Kalu,a botanist in Sarawak. Here in Peninsular, her interest grew as she learns from her role model, Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr. Abdul Latiff Mohamad who is also an expert in plant taxonomy and conservation biology. Before starting the journey in TRCRC, she started a career as a freelance consultant in flora biodiversity, where she got the chance to explore and study the tropical rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia after 4 years in Sarawak for her degree. In TRCRC, she decided to combine her knowledge in plant taxonomy together with conservation so that future generations still have the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful biodiversity of flora and fauna in Malaysia.
Akmal Idham Bin Hisham
Junior Project Executive
Akmal is a local amateur naturalist who grew up around the City of Elmina and joined ERKC via its volunteering program back in 2020. From tree climbing to nightwalks, he’s done it all to gain intensive knowledge of the ecology and flora and fauna of the Bukit Cherakah forest. He now dedicates his time in documenting and enriching the urban biodiversity around Elmina, with the goal of fully rewilding the urban landscape and reconnecting the fragmented forests around it. He also strives to educate the community about the environment around them and how to improve it, currently he holds monthly river cleaning days with locals around the Subang River.
Angela Moris
Project Executive
Born and raised in the heart of Borneo, Sarawak, Angela has always been determined and passionate towards the environment and sustainability. Her background in the agricultural field from UPM during her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, focusing mainly on the fishery sector, has made her keen on finding sustainable ways to inculcate proper planning in agricultural management. Her experience in tending to her family's farm, and volunteering in various organisations in her free time has inspired her to learn more and share her passion concerning conservation.
Adleen Abdullah
Project Coordinator
A lawyer by qualification and an outdoor enthusiast at heart, Adleen spent over 25 years in the legal industry before ultimately deciding to leave her career as a corporate legal counsel to achieve her dream of working outside, hands-on, in forest conservation. She proves that it’s never too late to pursue your passions. Adleen’s initial introduction to TRCRC was via the volunteering program at the Elmina Rainforest Knowledge Centre. Her keen enthusiasm to build skills and learn aspects of the field led her to progress further as a nursery assistant. Now, as the Project Coordinator at the Elmina Rainforest Knowledge Centre, she aspires to contribute further by combining her corporate working experience, passion for the outdoors and determination to continue to learn.
Sindhu Bairavi
Graphic Designer
Sindhu has been in the design and advertising industry for over 7 years. Her passion for all things that contribute to protecting the environment lead her to venture into designing for a good cause. In TRCRC, she plays a role in designing and producing all on-ground and digital materials to aid in raising awareness.
Intan Syafiqah Mohd Hamezan
Project Executive
Intan decided to shift from being a carpenter in the downstream area to the upstream area by getting herself into the environmental conservation field. Assisting or leading on environmental awareness initiatives and projects with various stakeholders, particularly local Orang Asli communities, has opened her eyes to the fact that a bottom-up approach to protecting and caring for the environment is essential. Intan likes to be active and on-site from time to time, rather than sitting at her office desk all day. In her spare time, she may be found daydreaming with her brushes and paints. Intan hopes to expand her effort in reconnecting people with the environment and raise their knowledge and awareness towards the nature around them.
Nadia Rajendran
Senior HR & Admin Executive
Nadia first joined TRCRC back in 2022 briefly taking a career break after having her son. Despite working remotely, Nadia has managed to create a working relationship with almost every staff here as she believes it is an important aspect of being the organisation’s HR person.
Board Of Trustees
YABhg Tun Jeanne Abdullah
Chairman
The Honourable Tun Jeanne Abdullah began her career in the private sector and has had a vast and diverse experience in the field of hospitality management. She continuously seeks for ways to improve lives of Malaysian citizens and pays a large focus on the environment we live in.
David Dzulkifli
Member
An accountant by training and having worked across the globe with ExxonMobil over a period of 30 years, David has been ingrained with the ExxonMobil thinking vis-a-vis the environment. As a member of the Board of Trustees, he employs a hands-on approach in supporting TRCRC's efforts.
Datuk Ali Bin Tan Sri Kadir
Past Member
Datuk Ali bin Tan Sri Abdul Kadir was appointed as a Board of Trustees on 9th October 2015. Datuk Ali loves fishing, outdoor adventure and he is passionate about the environment. He believes that outdoor adventure will indirectly educate people on conservation.
James Kingham
Past Member
James Kingham started his career as a planter in the early days working out in the plantation landscape. He is well known across the landscaping profession and often hosts university courses on his site in Tanjung Malim to train students on the cultivation of rainforest species.
Venugopal Nambiar
Past Member
Venugopal Nambiar brings to TRCRC his vast experience in construction, with emphasis on project negotiation, engineering design, project feasibility study and evaluation as well as overall site management.
Benny Banus Tuzan
TRLC-Merisuli Project Manager
Benny’s love for nature and Malaysia’s tropical rainforest is one of the main reasons he joined the organisation’s effort to preserve and conserve tropical rainforest species. Graduated from the International University College of Technology Twintech (IUCTT), he received a bachelor’s degree in BSc (Hons) Biotechnology. As a Project Manager in TRCRC Sabah, his role is to plan the process and to execute the action plans for the TRLC project in Merisuli, Sabah.
Mohammad Salleh Sulaiman
Assistant Manager (EE Programme and Outreach)
Salleh is a former student of University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Graduated in 2014, he holds a bachelor degree in Conservation Biology, He gained his passion for nature In UMS and it strengthened during his internship with the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok. Salleh joined TRCRC with hopes of raising awareness and educating people about the importance of conservation. As the saying goes, without nature, we are nobody.
Nur Hidayat Kamsah
Senior Executive (Admin cum Finance)
Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation of Biology from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Nur Hidayat Kamsah officially joined TRCRC to gain and apply her knowledge on conservation biology to the TRLC Merisuli, Sabah. As an executive, her work is mainly assisting in tasks related to the TRLC Merisuli, Sabah project. She treasures what nature has to offer and aspires to make a difference in the conservation of rainforests.
Norfatimah Abd Halil
Senior Executive (Naturalist Program)
Fatimah was inspired to conserve the environment since young by watching nature documentaries from the National Geographic and Simfoni Alam. Her inspiration continued when she chose to pursue her studies in Universiti Malaysia Sabah for her degree in Forestry. As TRCRC’s Programme Executive, Fatimah develops and co-ordinates educational volunteering programmes for TRLC Merisuli. She is also in charge of establishing new engagements between TRCRC and other agencies for environmental education-based programs.
Wahid Othman
Senior Executive (Site Supervisor & Technical Support)
Originating from Kota Kinabatangan, Sabah, Wahid joined TRCRC as the supervisor of the technical support team. He has over 20 years of hands-on experience in the field during his previous job with rainforest rehabilitation project. Wahid is currently based in the TRLC Merisuli, Sabah project to supervise and lead the seed collection team and replanting operations. His personal vision is to contribute towards the success of the TRLC Merisuli project.
Rasit Abdul
Nursery & Planting Executive
With over 27 years of experience and knowledge in forest restoration and conservation, his extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in identifying trees inside and outside of TRCRC is undeniably remarkable. Therefore, he hopes that with these skills, he could teach and encourage the younger generation to better appreciate nature.
NurNadira Atira Abdullah Salleh
Technical Executive
Nadira first became involved in forest restoration and conservation efforts while completing her Degree Final Year Project at Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve. With a background in Forest Plantation & Agroforestry at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), she further developed her passion for forestry at Seed Section at Forest Research Centre (FRC), Sandakan before finding her base at TRCRC. Her keen interest in forest and seeds are what keeps her going in the conservation and restoration effort of the ERT tree species at TRLC-Merisuli.
Celesia Sinpa @ Christopher
Program Executive
Celesia had the opportunity to be one of the participants in TRCRC Sabah’s education program, Environmental Volunteering Program (ENVOP) back in 2019. Here she develops an interest in the ex-situ conservation effort where the tree was processed from seedlings until they were planted in the wild. After completing her studies in International Tropical Forestry at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), she had chosen TRCRC as her stepping stone in the conservation and restoration world. She now joins the TRCRC Sabah as a Program Executive to support their effort in conserving and restoring the Merisuli Forest Reserve.
Hasniar Mohd. Amir
Technical Executive
Hasniar graduated from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), where she holds a Bachelor Degree in Tropical Forestry. Her interest in restoring and conserving the forest increases, especially in aspects that relate to community forestry. She is concerned but at the same time is excited to learn more as well as to help improve the livelihood of those living in the countryside. On top of that, she is now pursuing her Master Degree in Social Forestry in order to improve the skills to support TRCRC’s effort through programs related to community in the future. She is also committed in data handling and data analysis to facilitate the restoration effort in Merisuli Forest Reserve.
Zaidatul Athirah Rasit
Junior Executive (On-site Admin)
After earning her Diploma in Biotechnology at Kolej Vokasional Lahad Datu (KVLD), she entered TRCRC in hopes to contribute her broad knowledge and passion in elevating the organisation to a more enhanced new level in the future.
Norfdilah Awang
Junior Executive
Hailing from Kampung Buang Sayang, Kinabatangan, Dilah used to work as a shop clerk, an assistant of a computer teacher, and also had experiences working in the tourism industry. After hearing about TRCRC from her uncle Wahid, she joins the organisation as a ground team member to learn the works of how to conserve tropical tree species. An avid reader, Dila believes strongly in TRCRC’s conservation work and hopes to influence the tourism industry with the knowledge gained.
Masnona Lorintie
Senior Assistant Nursery
Starting as a hobby for gardening then gaining work experience on the forest restoration project in Lahad Datu, Masnona is eager to apply her skills in nursery tasks in TRLC Merisuli. As a Senior Nursery Assistant, she is involved in seed sowing, transplanting and maintaining the nursery.
Aliasa Mualas
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Aliasa has 19 years of experience in cocoa, rattan, forestry and tourism. Aliasa joined TRCRC to seek new skills and practical knowledge. As a ground staff, his job scope includes field work and nursery maintenance. Also, he is an authorized driver as he has experience driving off road.
Mohd Rizam Ridjat
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Rizam started his career in a different restoration project then became a lab assistant in a wood industries company. After joining TRLC Merisuli as a ground staff, he was eager to support nursery and field work activities to ensure they run smoothly.
Mhd Touchry Maili
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Touchry is a field man that worked on a rainforest restoration project in Danum Valley before joining TRCRC. As a ground staff, his job scope includes nursery maintenance work, being part of the seed collection team and handling machine including heavy machinery.
Azmi Asmat
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Azmi is part of the ground team in TRLC Merisuli, Sabah. Besides having nursery and field work skills, he is a machine handler and has good electrical knowledge. As a general worker, he supports the construction of staff accommodation and nursery development.
Sitti Zulaika Moane
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
After working at Timbangan Sawit Wisconsin for a year, Sitti Zulaika or Ika was introduced to forest conservation when she joined TRCRC in 2018. While working on the nursery here, she was inspired to know more about the importance of why we should take care of the forest for the future and along the way understand that the importance lies in the benefits of what forest conservation will bring to humans, animals, plants and Earth as a whole.
Ramsing Amdil
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Ramsing has experience both in nursery activities and on the field. Appointed as a grount staff, he is responsible of taking care of the plants, to collect seeds and lead the team into the forest. He is also known as the compass man based on his experience in reading a compass in the forest for establishment of planting plots and boundary.
Jaidi Samad
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
As one of the important field staff at TRCRC since 2020, Jaidi has been helping his colleagues in conserving Merisuli forest such as planting more seedlings into the forest and maintaining them so they can grow big and strong for the future. He always hopes that the knowledge and experience he gained from here can be used for others out there.
Wahirin Maris
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Having had research and field work experience, Wahirin joined TRCRC to support the conservation and restoration project in TRLC Merisuli Sabah. As a ground staff, he is involved in nursery activities, seed collecting and developing the nursery to achieve TRCRC’s objective.
Nurkasimah Ghani
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Beginning as a general clerk at Stationery and Copy Store, Simah wishes to broaden her experience by joining TRCRC in 2021 and starts her journey as one of TRCRC main nursery staff. She, along with her colleagues, are responsible for the seedlings’ early stages by seeding them into seed plots when they arrive at the nursery and taking care of them until they are budding and maturing enough to be planted in the forest. Watching the seedlings’ growth first hand encourages her to hope that TRCRC will grow more and more well-known so we can take care of our forest better.
Amis @ Salleh Osman
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
With 20 years and more hands-on experiences in both forest conservation field and electricity repair, Salleh or fondly called Uncle Amis by his colleagues, joined TRCRC in 2022 as one of field staff and occasionally helped drive the staff around. A cheerful and friendly person, Uncle Amis is beloved by all people around him and constantly uses his knowledge and experience in helping out in the field by planting and maintaining seedlings and also in maintaining camp buildings’ electricity systems such as the gallery and volunteer dorm.
Yusni Jeffrydin
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Yusni has been in the forest conservation field for more than 10 years and these experiences have cemented her love for nature. She joined TRCRC in 2018 in the hopes that she can help in taking care of the forest and environment better by applying her know-how in helping her nursery colleagues nurture seedlings that will turn to one of her beloved forests someday.
Jilih Ejang
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
New to forest conservation, Jilih joined TRCRC in 2022 after being encouraged by her friend in search of better employment. However, after joining in, her motivation slowly turned to inspiration to preserve the forest. Looking after the seedlings since its birth (seed plot seeding) to its maturity (to be planted in the forest) has endeared the forest to her. She hopes that her work here will continue to benefit the forest and its future.
Ruzaimeh Jumuk
Skilled Field & Nursery Staff
Born and raised as a Dusun in Ranau, Sabah, Ruzaimeh or better known as Jay has joined TRCRC in 2022 to join his brothers in conserving the forest after being motivated by his brothers’ works here. Watching them, Jay also hopes that he could contribute to forest preservation by working hard in the field alongside his colleagues in growing and maintaining the seedlings they had planted in the forest.
Muhammad Rafiq Bin Mohd Yusoff
TRLC Banun Site Supervisor
Rafiq started with TRCRC’s sister organisation, Landskap Malaysia, and has been involved in environmental education and tree-planting programmes nationwide since 2014. He is our master of maps and our data wizard. Rafiq now manages and coordinates the restoration efforts in PL2 of the Amanjaya Forest Reserve with our G-team. A family man, Rafiq enjoys instilling his love for nature to his two boys who often enter the jungles with him..
Hairul Abdullah
Restoration & Biodiversity Coordinator
With an academic background in mechatronics engineering, Hairul - or more fondly known as Pak Jebat - has since developed a keen interest in working with the forest community after joining the environmental conservation field. As a lifelong scout member and president for the Gombak Rovers Scout Council in Selangor, Malaysia, Pak Jebat has been a long advocate for youth empowerment and volunteerism in community services. Pak Jebat has since then developed intensive fieldwork and programme management skills focusing on the biodiversity study of tropical rainforest’s flora and fauna, and adaptive communication with people from all walks of life, especially the indigenous forest community. As a budding conservation practitioner, he looks forward to challenging himself in broad-scale restoration and biodiversity projects. You’ll often find Pak Jebat on the mountain camping or forest trails hiking as the great outdoors are where he spends his leisure time the most. #sama2naik
Lucy Wong Zi Ni
Conservation Executive
Lucy is a MBA graduate in sustainability management. Her research thesis focuses on the sustainability assessment of community-based conservation projects with the stakeholder theory. Lucy is dedicated to leverage on her passion towards the environment, storytelling photography and fieldwork in leading environment projects that can create impactful change in the community she works at.
Hanisah Hamid
Banun Project Executive
Hanisah is a conservation biology graduate from University Malaysia Sabah. She was born and raised in Gerik and is stoked that she is able to work in the forests near her hometown. Hanisah is an outdoors girl at heart and enjoys working on-site, be it in the nursery or in the jungle. During her free time, Hanisah travels around with her motorbike in search of seeds around her neighbourhood, keen to do her bit for rainforest diversity and resilience. She's inspired to expand her knowledge in ecology and conservation, and hopes to contribute towards protecting mother nature, so that the future generations can also enjoy its beauty and wonder.
Omar Bin Pura
G-Team
Omar is the eldest and a natural leader of the G-Team. Prior to joining TRCRC, he tapped rubber in his village to support his family of 8 children. Omar enjoys the cooling effects of being under the forest canopy and is grateful for the opportunity at TRCRC, to help preserve and restore the cherished forest around his village. With a soothing voice like the river, it is no wonder that Omar can occasionally be heard crooning to the full moon around the campfire in the cool nights of Banun. He loves entertaining guests and even sings for them when he is in the mood.
Azman Bin Talib
G-Team
Azman developed his interest in conservation from his prior experience working on tiger monitoring with Rimba. He enjoys the work with TRCRC as it fits his interest to learn additional knowledge about trees and how to take care of them. For him, tropical rainforest conservation, particularly tree-planting, is important because with more land being cleared for development, more seedlings need to be grown in the nursery for forest restoration. During his free time, Azman enjoys fishing and spending time with his toddler, family and friends, in his clean and beautiful village of Kg. Semelor.
Sidek bin Dayak
G-Team
Sidek is the only Jahai member in the Gteam, happily married to a Temiar lady from Kampung Semelor, and blessed with three young kids. He is known as the multi-skilled man - diving, fishing, harvesting Tualang honey, hunting and fret not, he knows trees relatively better too, just that he often interprets them in Jahai language! With that he leveraged on his forest skills and is known to develop several side income, which keeps him occupied during the weekend. He is also fondly known as Cikgu Jai (“Pisang” in Jahai) among the Gteam and always helpful to have him around in seed collection trips.
Kamarudin A/L Raman
G-Team
Kamarudin, fondly known as Din, is the youngest member of our G-Team. He was born in Kampong Post Kemar and currently lives in Kampung Semelor with his father. His Temiar name is Rayot. This is Din's first job. Din enjoys the calming scenery of the forest and his most favourite part of the job is planting trees in the forest. Din can play the guitar and keyboard, which he learnt while studying in boarding school. In his free time, Din listens to music and composes his own music and lyrics.
Rahmat Bin Ismail
G-Team
Prior to working with TRCRC, Rahmat worked with the Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME). He is most agile in tree climbing and exceptional with his slingshot skills. In his free time, Rahmat collects rattan and other forest produce. Always with a smile to share, Rahmat is happily married and blessed with 3 kids. His biggest joy of going to the forest is to find new trees and learn more of them from his elders.
Sidek bin Dayak
G-Team
Sidek is the only Jahai member in the Gteam, happily married to a Temiar lady from Kampung Semelor, and blessed with three young kids. He is known as the multi-skilled man - diving, fishing, harvesting Tualang honey, hunting and fret not, he knows trees relatively better too, just that he often interprets them in Jahai language! With that he leveraged on his forest skills and is known to develop several side income, which keeps him occupied during the weekend. He is also fondly known as Cikgu Jai (“Pisang” in Jahai) among the Gteam and always helpful to have him around in seed collection trips.
Kamarudin A/L Raman
G-Team
Kamarudin, fondly known as Din, is the youngest member of our G-Team. He was born in Kampong Post Kemar and currently lives in Kampung Semelor with his father. His Temiar name is Rayot. This is Din's first job. Din enjoys the calming scenery of the forest and his most favourite part of the job is planting trees in the forest. Din can play the guitar and keyboard, which he learnt while studying in boarding school. In his free time, Din listens to music and composes his own music and lyrics.
Rahmat Bin Ismail
G-Team
Prior to working with TRCRC, Rahmat worked with the Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME). He is most agile in tree climbing and exceptional with his slingshot skills. In his free time, Rahmat collects rattan and other forest produce. Always with a smile to share, Rahmat is happily married and blessed with 3 kids. His biggest joy of going to the forest is to find new trees and learn more of them from his elders.