By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: The Bukit Merah International Conference on Primatology, Community Engagement and Conservation Futures (BM PRIMAT2026) aims to become a biennial platform to strengthen knowledge sharing, research and collaboration in primate conservation in Malaysia and the region.
The conference focuses on primatology, the study of primates such as orangutans, monkeys and apes, as well as conservation efforts and the protection of ecosystems that serve as their habitats.
The inaugural two-day conference also aims to establish professional networks and long-term research collaborations, with abstracts presented and submitted during the event to be compiled into conference proceedings for future reference.
Prof Emeritus Dato’ Dr Abdul Latif said the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation hoped the conference would continue to grow with support from universities, researchers, government agencies, conservation organisations, industry partners and other stakeholders.
He said the aim was to establish BM PRIMAT as a recognised platform for primatology in Malaysia and the region.
He added that the success of the conference would not depend solely on discussions during the event, but also on sustaining the knowledge sharing, collaborations and research partnerships that emerged from it.
“Our ambition is for BM PRIMAT to grow into a recognised platform for primatology in Malaysia and the region.
“The first edition is only the beginning. What matters now is how we sustain the conversations, collaborations and research partnerships that emerge from this gathering and continue building them in future editions,” he said.
BM PRIMAT2026 also places emphasis on scientific research, conservation practices, community engagement, education and regional collaboration.
This approach aims to bridge scientific knowledge with practical action, contributing to the long-term conservation of primates and the ecosystems on which they depend.
The Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation (BMOUIF) is a Malaysian non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding the future of the endangered Bornean orangutan through conservation, scientific research, veterinary care and environmental education.
The Foundation works with conservationists, researchers, educational institutions, government agencies and relevant organisations to improve orangutan welfare and protect biodiversity.
Beyond rehabilitation and conservation programmes, the Foundation also raises public awareness of Malaysia’s unique wildlife and encourages individuals, communities and future generations to play an active role in protecting the natural environment.
