Move to transform logging and timber sector: CM
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will review obsolete forest laws and policies to transform the state’s logging and timber sector.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this was to ensure that the laws and policies governing the industrywould be in line with current development and best practices.
“The state government will also ensure that forest-related policies are comprehensive, taking into account all forest functions from economic, environmental and social aspects,” he saidat the official launch of the Stakeholders Consultation Session on the Proposed Forestry Policies here, yesterday.
The two-day session is to get inputs on the proposed eight policies namely, Revised Sarawak Forestry Policy, Sarawak Timber Industry Transformation, Forest Management Certification, Planted Forest Policy, Raw Materials for Downstream Timber Industry and Value Added Products, and Policy and Mechanism on Rubberwood Extraction.
“The government will need to consider the interest of all the stakeholders including forest industry investors, supporting businesses, timber workers, communities who live or work in the neighborhood of forestry activities, consumers of timber, environmental services providers, special interest groups such as educators, researchers and the public at large,” he added.
Abang Johari said Sarawak would also strengthen implementation of its timber legality verification system as many countries had introduced laws to ensure only legal timber entered into their market.
“We would intensify enforcement to ensure compliance and to curb legal activities,” he said, adding that verificationswould be carried out by a third party.
On forest agencies, he said the state government would streamline the agencies to avoid overlapping function among them and to create better synergy.
“Since Sarawak is a major log producing state in Malaysia, we must find new and innovative ways to sustain our forest resources while at the same time optimise the existing resources that we have,” he said.
He said the state government would continue to equip forest agencies with various skills and embrace latest technology in the conservation and management of our forest resources, he added.
“Sustainable forest management requires timely and accurate information, and with the advancement of technologies, this information is readily and easily available with the snap of our finger,” he said, adding that this would enable decision-maker to make informed and accurate decision.
He said Sarawak would strive to stay abreast with the latest technologies in the area of forest planning, monitoring, research and development and enforcement.
“Drone for example is widely used in monitoring works especially in areas where access is limited. Geospatial technology is capable of capturing, storing, analyzing and displaying geographically referenced information in real time,”
“Sometimes, the Forest Department’s equipment are outdated, while the illegal loggers have a better technology, and that is why I have spent RM1 billion of state money to enhance digital infrastructure so that we can curb illegal logging intensively,” he said.
