BY SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA and ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2022 was unanimously passed on the third day of the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
The Bill was tabled by Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh and was debated by six members.
He said the Bill seeks to amend the Sarawak Timber Industry Corporation Ordinance 1973 [Ordinance No 3 of 1973] (STIDC Ordinance) to make better provisions for the management of the timber industry in Sarawak through the issuance of the Timber Industry Licence to enable STIDC to fully regulate the timber industry.
He said this includes the establishment and operation of sawmills which was previously regulated under the Forest Ordinance 2015 [Cap. 71], adding that the Bill also seeks to add provision to enhance the enforcement powers under the STIDC Ordinance.
“The main amendments sought for in this Bill are the introduction of the Timber Industry Licence to replace the requirement of registration for timber industry; the introduction of new provision on ‘Temporary Permit Operate’ as temporary measure to facilitate the timber industry pending the issuance of a timber industry licence or for domestic use and the introduction of penalty provisions for illegal operation of timber mill and other illegal activities in breach of terms and conditions of the Timber Industry Licence or Temporary Permit to Operate.
“In addition to that, the introduction of provision on cancellation or suspension of Timber Industry Licence and the enhancement and strengthening of the enforcement powers under the Ordinance,” he said when tabling the Bill on yesterday (Nov 22).
On the Timber Industry Licence, Len stated that the Bill seeks to empower the general manager to issue the licence on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the general manager.
Currently, STIDC issues a Certificate of Registration pursuant to the STIDC Ordinance and sawmill licence through delegation of power by the Director of Forests under the Forest Ordinance 2015 [Cap. 71].
He said this amendment will delete the provisions relating to issuance of Certificate of Registration and replace it with provisions which empower the general manager of STIDC to issue Timber Industry Licence on such terms and conditions as may be imposed by him.
“This Timber Industry Licence would be the sole licence issued by STIDC for timber industry activities including the establishment, building, and operating of sawmill. This is intended to clearly demarcate the roles, duties, and responsibilities between STIDC, Forest Department and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) thus streamlining the functions of these three agencies under the Ministry.
“The issuance of the Timber Industry Licence will be a more holistic regulating mechanism to regulate the timber industry in Sarawak,” he added.
