Sabah forestry researcher receives prestigious recognition

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah Forestry Department researcher was awarded the 2023 Science & Technology Award by the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) in Kuala Lumpur on October 24.

Dr Arthur Y. C. Chung from Sandakan was one of the two recipients for this prestigious award.

He was conferred the award for his outstanding achievements and contribution to the nation’s science and technology through his research and outreach in tropical forest entomology, focussing on insect diversity, insects in nature tourism and forest insect pest management.

He received a cheque of RM30,000 and a certificate of achievement from Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Tuan Chang Lih Kang.

Also present at the 30th MTSF Award Ceremony were the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, Shigeki Taniguchi, the chairman of MTSF, Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Dr Omar Abdul Rahman; the chairman of the Award Committee, Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Dr Augustine Ong Soon Hock and the Chief Conservator of Forests, Sabah, Datuk Frederick Kugan.

In his thank you speech, Chung acknowledged the Forest Research Centre of the Sabah Forestry Department for many opportunities to carry out his entomology research and activities throughout the state.

It has been a wonderful 30 years of working experience with good teamwork, supportive colleagues and staff.

He is grateful to Kugan and Deputy Chief Conservator (R&D), Dr Robert Ong, as well as his past superiors for their constant support, advice and encouragement, without which this recognition would not have been possible.

MTSF is Malaysia’s exemplary and premier charitable science foundation, established by Toray Japan and Toray Malaysia to promote science and technology since 1993.