Wan Junaidi: New incentives for FRIM scientists being drafted

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 200 local scientists with the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) may soon get to reap profits of their discoveries, said Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (pic).

The Natural Resources and Environment Minister said a mechanism is being drafted to implement the new incentives to spur commercialisation of research under FRIM Inc which was set up in 2017.

"For some scientists, it is not about how much money they can get.

"They would rather be rewarded in other forms such as having improved research facilities for the advancement of their work," he told reporters at a press conference at Parliament on Thursday.

Besides receiving royalties for their research, Dr Wan Junaidi said other incentives include funds to publish their works in journals and trips to attend international conferences.

At present, he said only FRIM and the government were entitled to royalties from discoveries.

He noted the new incentives were allowed under the FRIM Act (Act 782) 2016.

Dr Wan Junaidi was replying to a question raised by Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) as to what measures were being taken to offer local scientists adequate reward for their hard work.