AMPANG JAYA, Oct 28 — The Selangor government is aiming to secure UNESCO recognition for more of the state's valuable natural heritage sites, following the success of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) last year.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said Selangor's natural treasures must continue to be preserved and managed sustainably for the well-being of its people despite the state's rapid development.
"The Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor (FRIM FPS) has received UNESCO recognition, and we hope the biosphere area we are developing in Sabak Bernam will also gain recognition one day.
"There is still much work to be done there to ensure that the criteria for geopark and World Heritage recognition can be met over time.
"What matters most in UNESCO recognition is the distinctive or unique features of a particular location. Here, we have the Quartz Ridge, which stands out not only for its length but also for its exceptional characteristics and high value," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Gombak-Hulu Langat (GHL) Geopark 2026 Reassessment Session, which was also attended by State Tourism EXCO Datuk Ng Suee Lim, here last night.
The GHL Geopark reassessment is taking place from October 26 to 30 as part of a periodic evaluation conducted every four years to determine whether it qualifies to retain the National Geopark status it obtained in 2022.
Malaysia currently has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, comprising four cultural and two natural heritage sites, including FRIM-FPS.
FRIM-FPS was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 11, 2025, during the 47th World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris, France.
The site is a restored tropical forest developed on former tin-mining land and serves as an important example of large-scale forest ecosystem rehabilitation.
