SIBU: The Sarawak government will study existing policies on the timber industry should there be a need to revamp the timber industry.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this after Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi made a call to the state government to relook and revamp the current timber industry policy so that it can be restructured and thus provide direct benefits to the people.
“What has been proposed is that we look into our logging policies … which we want to improve because what is emphasised is to replant our forest and to see whether community involvement in the industry can be considered,” he told reporters at a press conference after officiating at PBB Sibu mini convention at Kingwood Hotel today.
He said one of the solutions would be to plant more rubber trees in Upper Rajang area to produce both latex and wood.
“So we will study, first the ordinance, second the stakeholders involved (in timber industry) as mentioned by Datuk Alexander.
“Thirdly, is on management of our land because we want to look after the environment and ensure sustainability (timber resources),” he said.
Abang Johari pointed out that this was why a committee called Sarawak Economic Action Council was (SEAC) formed to conduct studies on matters related to sustainability and the environment.
Nanta, in his speech earlier, said timber industry players had become very rich through the state’s timber policies all these years.
“If it is indeed true that the people in the industry are not nice to us in this coming election, we appeal to you sir (Abang Johari), for the sake of the people, please relook and revamp the current timber industry policy,” he said.
“No doubt the state has benefited through royalties and taxes which have been increased multiple times when you (Abang Johari) came in, but that is not quite enough.”
He said it was time that the state government come up with a new policy – restructure the whole timber industry for the benefit of the people.
“We need to find ways how timber, which have been cut from our backyard, can directly benefit the people,” he said.
