KUCHING: Sarawak needs fast-growing tree species as the state’s feedstock to produce timber-based and furniture-based products.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari said that among the trees that could be planted are rubber trees, bamboo, acacia, sentang and paulownia.
He said since banks in Japan and China have imposed conditions based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG), Sarawak as their source needs to adjust to these conditions.
“That is why the Sarawak government is encouraging people in the timber industry to plant fast-growing tree species and produce products based on renewable sources.
“The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) should change its direction a bit so that it can become an environmentally friendly player.
“If this happens, the market will be with you and this will be a revenue for Sarawak,” he said in his speech during the STIDC Golden Jubilee celebration dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday (Aug 14).
He said it is important to have research and development to ensure that players could produce sustainable products and comply with international needs.
“With research undertaken on the fast-growing tree species, we will have a lot of trees that could be planted where its products can be turned to renewable energy.
“We are fortunate that the climate is siding with us and what is left is for us to study our soil quality and select the types of tree species that we can plant.
“We must have a very structured approach in our timber industry and only then our industry will be sustainable,” he said.
Abang Johari called on STIDC to collaborate with the Sarawak Land and Survey Department and the Department of Agriculture (DoA) as they have data on soil structure to facilitate research on planting the trees.
In addition, he said, STIDC should also collaborate with the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) which has the expertise on forests while STIDC itself embarks on downstream activities.
“If these collaborations happen, I’m sure that in 2030, we can achieve our objective of having a renewable forest industry,” he added.
