KUCHING, Jan 22 — Sarawak’s total export value of timber and timber products dropped from RM3.9 billion in 2022 to RM3.1 billion in 2023, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said tonight.
He said the export value of logs was RM559 million or 18 per cent of the overall export value while the export of timber products was RM2.6 billion.
“For Sarawak, Japan is still the largest market contributing about 53 per cent or RM1.7 billion export earnings in 2023,” he said in his speech at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and Malaysian Panel-Products Manufactures’ Association.
His speech was read by Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
Awang Tengah, who is also the second minister for natural resources and urban development, said plywood remains the main product produced with an export value of RM1.5 billion, contributing about 48 per cent of the total export earnings.
“It appears that the primary products are still the main timber products for export,” he said, urging the timber players to transform their activities and operations towards production of high-value-added products by utilising raw materials from planted forests.
He said the state government will continue to strengthen the downstream industry to include biomass, furniture, bamboo and engineered wood.
He added biomass products have huge potential in the establishment of a green economy in Sarawak.
He said biomass products like wood pellets, biochar and charcoal briquettes have massive demand in the global market due to being environmentally friendly.
He said Sarawak has exported wood pellets to Japan, France and Korea at an export value of RM36 million.
Awang Tengah said STIDC has prepared its proposal on Engineered Wood Product Blueprint which will be tabled at its board meeting tomorrow morning for approval.
“This important document provides guidelines and a way forward for the timber industry in Sarawak insofar as the engineered wood industry is concerned,” he said.
He said another initiative by STIDC is developing the bamboo industry in Sarawak.
He said the global export value of bamboo products in 2022 was US$66.2 billion (RM312 billion) and estimated to increase by 4 per cent annually.
Awang Tengah said Malaysia’s export value of bamboo products for 2022 is RM8.4 million while in Sarawak the market value is RM1.2 million.
He said he believes that there is a huge potential in biomass, engineered wood and bamboo industries that must be tapped as a game changer and landscape transformation for the timber industry in Sarawak.
The MoU related to Forest Management, Practices and Research and Development (R&D) in licenced planted forests and on-job training and placement in the timber industry.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Agriculture and Commodities (KPK) targets timber industry exports to reach RM28 billion by 2030.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said in 2023, Malaysia's timber industry contributed RM21.8 billion to the country's export revenue.
He added that the export value of timber and timber-based products declined by 13.3 per cent in 2023 compared with the previous year, while the quantity also declined by 4.2 per cent during the same period.
"The decline in exports has several reasons, one of which is the uncertain economic situation in the United States (US), resulting in reduced demand. Our exports used to be nearly 40 per cent ( of products produced) involving the furniture and timber industry going to America, so when that (reduced demand) happens, our exports are slightly affected. Additionally, issues and challenges such as geopolitical tensions, trade protection policies by importing countries, negative perceptions, and competition with timber-exporting countries worldwide also affected exports last year," he told reporters after the Excellent Service Award Ceremony (APC 2023) by Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration 2024 here today.
A total of 36 MTIB personnel received the MTIB Excellent Service Award 2023 as a token of appreciation for their contributions to ensuring that Malaysia's wood industry remains at the forefront.
During the same event, Johari also launched the MTIB's Cyber Security Policy (PKS) to replace the Information and Communications Technology Security Policy (DKICT) that has been in use since 2007.
The policy outlines regulations and explains the roles of all parties involved in line with the needs of information security management in the vast cyberspace, as well as the increasing risks and threats.
Commenting on the policy, Johari said it serves as a security measure to ensure efficient cyber security management.
He noted that cybersecurity is crucial because every agency, including MTIB, has a comprehensive database to determine cess, duties, and taxes.
"So if we don't have strong cyber security, it can disrupt the operations of any company or agency when data is hacked by any hacker. "Nowadays, hackers worldwide aren't just focusing on banks; although banks are challenging to hack due to their investment in expensive firewalls, other sectors are now targeted. "Therefore, companies like MTIB, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), and Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (LGM) must ensure their cybersecurity is top-notch. "Data breaches could severely disrupt the operations of these agencies," he said.
KUCHING (Jan 25): The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) recently hosted a field visit for Malaysian Panel Manufacture Association (MPMA) delegates to showcase the Licence for Planted Forests (LPF/0043) project’s best practices in planted forest management.
MPMA chairman Datuk Wira Sheikh Othman Rahman expressed his enthusiasm for the LPF/0043 project, calling it the association’s best option in terms of tropical trees for timber industry product manufacturing.
“Visiting this silviculture initiative, which I think it is the biggest nursery in Malaysia, also in Southeast Asia, or incomparable to other parts of the world that I’ve visited.
“I think this is the best for us in terms of tropical trees for us to produce timber industry products such as plywood, chipboard, and furniture wood needed. We hope the corporation will help us see the vision to build up nurseries in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
Representing MPMA’s members, including Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), and Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), Sheikh thanked STIDC’s commendable efforts and expressed a desire for closer collaboration and knowledge exchange for the mutual benefit of both parties.
STIDC assistant general manager of sustainable resource management Hamzah Morshidi said he hoped the visit would further strengthen collaboration.
“This partnership between STIDC and MPMA is poised to promote sustainability and innovation in the timber industry, further solidifying Malaysia’s position as a global leader in sustainable timber management.
“Through their joint efforts, both organisations envision driving the industry forward, while establishing best practices and fostering continuous growth as the importance of partnerships in the field of sustainable industrial tree planting (ITP) activities, timber management operations, and practices,” he said.
The visit included Sabal Nursery, Simunjan’s trial plot of eucalyptus plants and a hands-on encounter with the complexities of tree planting.
The highlight of the tour was a visit to Sarawak biggest planted forest project, which is LPF/0043 in Bintulu, where delegates received in-depth briefings on planted forest management and best practices.
The delegation explored research and development plots, obtaining insights into innovative practices.
In addition, they also witnessed field operations for planting and harvesting, which further emphasised a commitment to responsible forest practices.