KUCHING: The furniture industry in Sarawak will continue to advance and will not be a ‘sunset’ industry as the state aims to be the forerunner in the furniture industry.
Representing Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, secretary general of Ministry of Plantations and Commodities, said that Sarawak had huge potential and had many advantages in the furniture industry.
“In Malaysia, we import timber from Sarawak and this shows that Sarawak is in the frontline (example) of the industry, especially in wood.
“Currently, in West Malaysia, wood consumption is 1 million cubic metres. However, in Sarawak, it is 4 million cubic metres. Even excluding 1 million from it, there’s still 3 million left that still can be used in the furniture industry,” he said.
Mad Zaidi added he looked forward to seeing future collaborations in the furniture industry between West Malaysia and Sarawak to move the nation’s furniture industry forward.
He was speaking at the Sarawak Furniture Association 30th Anniversary Celebration dinner at Imperial Hotel on Friday.
Mad Zaidi pointed out that the national target for export earnings by 2030 was around RM28 billion, and with Sarawak’s RM8 billion target, the national target was achievable.
He also said that the furniture industry with its experts in wood and furniture would continue to grow.
“This industry is not a ‘sunset’ industry. It will continue to expand and reach greater heights,” he said.
Following that, Sarawak Furniture Industry Association (SFIA) president, Leo Chiang Kok Sze said in line with Sarawak Timber Industry Reformation and Transformation, SFIA aimed to generate RM8 billion in export earnings by 2030.
“I hope all Sarawak state agencies (especially) Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and government link companies will continue to assist SFIA in this quest.
“The support from federal agencies such as Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) is equally essential. Therefore, I hope SFIA will be given a platform to address our ideas and hear our issues at a higher level,” he added.
He also said Sarawak was blessed with amazing rainforest and abundance of great timber species.
He described Sarawak as “a sleeping giant waiting to be awakened.”
For the record, SFIA has a total of close to 300 companies’ membership throughout Sarawak and is being recognized as one of the biggest State furniture associations in Malaysia by members size.
Among those present at the dinner were chairman of Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Datuk Larry Sng, president of Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC), Khoo Yeow Chong,chairman of Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), Zainal Abidin, general manager of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Datuk Hashim Bojet and political secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Datuk Hamzah Brahim.
