The Centre was established to showcase products and work done by its members. It also serves as an education and promotion focal point for issues related to the forest and timber industry in Sarawak.

The Centre has physical exhibits, information kiosks and plasma screen displays to show pictorial information and videos of forests, biodiversity, upstream and downstream activities. The Centre also has two Multimedia and Research Information Assistants (MARIA) which allow researchers to access more than 10 years worth of statistics, data and relevant documents. The Center's twelve computer servers are being constantly uploaded with new information ensuring that it is up to date.

The Centre takes up 460m2 of Level 4 in Wisma STA.

The items displayed in the Centre are not only products from the forests but also timber products produced by our members, including:

1) Selected seeds & leaves from the forests

2) Sliced and peeled Veneers (60 samples on display)

3) Types of plywood, particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF)

4) Laminated flooring and truck flooring

The exhibits include models of equipment used in harvesting, local musical instruments/traditional utensils and also relevant reference books.

There are 4 touch-screens at the Centre where visitors can obtain information literally at their "finger tips".

Market Information -Timber products export statistics in terms of volume, value, destinations and by ports.

Downstream forests activities - Information on use and manufacturing processes of sawn timber, plywood, charcoal, Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), furniture, etc.

Upstream forests activities - Information and statistics on natural forests and planted forests, and Fire Danger Rating System.

Timber Certification -There is information on the certification process, both Forests Management and Product Certification (Chain of Custody).

The Centre uses modern multimedia technology for effective dissemination of information; one such technology is video streaming deployed in the five 42" plasma screens which can be activated by visitors at any time. The video clips are:

Full listing of STA Membership (4 mins)

Corporate videos/from members and STA (10 mins each)

Plywood and Sawn timber processes (2 mins each)

Biodiversity in Lanjak-Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary (12 mins)

Sarawak Tourism Board Promotional video (27 mins)

MULTIMEDIA AND RESEARCH INFORMATION ASSISTANT (MARIA)

Hosting close to 7 gigabytes (approximately 3,000 files) of information over the past 10 years, MARIA is certainly the pride and joy of STA. It is STA's privilege to share this invaluable information with the interested public.

MARIA currently has information covering upstream and downstream forests industries, legislations and standards and industry statistics. MARIA also has a good selection of seminar papers related to the forest and timber industry. All these and much more can be accessed at the click of a mouse.

Its functions among others is to stimulate by all possible means the planned expansion of wood-based industries throughout Sarawak at a rate consistent with the overall interest of the economy, the availability of capital and the technical expertise and effective management of the forest resources. x  

With the Corporate Vision to be the leader and catalyst of the timber industry, STIDC's Corporate Mission is to play its role in planning, coordinating and developing the timber industries of Sarawak towards optimum and efficient utilization of the timber resources by encouraging downstream processing and product diversification.

In line with these objectives and the national Vision 2020, STIDC is responsible for the development of disciplined, skilled and capable human resources. STIDC is committed to the timber industry and human resources development, which aims to provide and conduct training to upgrade their knowledge and skills for the benefit of this sector. This is to ensure that the industry stays competitive in producing quality products in the global market.  

The Training Calendar provides references and information on the various technical courses organized by STIDC in consonance with its role as the Timber Grading Authority of Sarawak.  

These courses are essential for traders dealing with processing, sawmilling, sales and marketing of timber. The programmes aim to equip the participants with the necessary skills to meet the needs of the wood based industry.

The Timber Processing Zone concept was first expounded in 1984 in the industrial Master Plan prepared by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in association with the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA).

Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC). being the agency responsible for the development of the timber industry in Sarawak, identified Kuching, Bintulu, Kuala Baram, and Tanjung Manis as centers for such a zone.  

The crystallization of this concept was materialized in a groundbreaking ceremony by the Right Honorable Chief Minister of Sarawak, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud on March 11,1990.

Tanjung Manis

Initially meant for timber industry, Tanjung Manis has since evolved into a new Township. Since then, it is now a hub for ship building, deep sea fishery port and palm oil cluster for central regions of the State.  

The Tanjung Manis Timber Processing Zone is the largest and most advanced Fully Integrated Timber Complex in Malaysia. The self contained township, with strong institutional support and facilities, will help to develop the area into a major manufacturing and business centre in Southeast Asia.

CONCEPT  

To develop integrated timber manufacturing facilities, strong institutional support and good infrastructure, all of which are geared towards achieving efficient utilization of timber resources for a competitive edge in international markets.  

IMPLEMENTATION  

With a total area of 3,000ha allocated for development, the township has the amenities, infrastructure and support services to become a leading investment centre for timber manufacturing.  

All basic infrastructures required for investors are now in place, including an airport, port, roads, telecommunications, broadband, water and electricity.  

PUBLIC AMENITIES  

The township has a first class tar-sealed all weather road, telecommunications, water, electricity, school, religious centre, recreational and sport facilities available to investors, residents and workers. With a deep water port sited on some 200ha, Tanjung Manis is poised to become a main export point for Sarawak.  

Today, public support facilities such as Clinic, Post Office, Public Library, Police, Immigration, Custom, Forest Department, Port Authority, SESCO and other government departments and agencies such as Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), Sarawak Rivers Board (LSSS), District Office, Sarawak Fishery Department and Malaysia Fishery Development Authority (LKIM) have transformed Tanjung Manis into a one stop investment centre.  

In planning, some of the agencies and department from the State and Federal Government which will be set up in Tanjung Manis include financial institutions, fire department, hospital. secondary school, institute of higher education, local council, religious body and Marine Police.  

Besides being known for its timber industry, Tanjung Manis is also hailed for its Deep Sea Fishery; which has been implemented (100 acres) by Federal Government.  

STIDC is also developing industrial zone dedicated for fishery based downstream processing as well as shipbuilding and maintenance industry.  

CONNECTIVITY  

There are three ways to reach Tanjung Manis. Through sea/ river (Express Terminal), road (Sibu; 40 min drive) and airport (Tanjung Manis airport is operated by Hornbill Skyways).  

RESIDENTIAL  

STIDC has constructed more than 300 units of houses of various types for investors and workers. An additional 40ha has been earmarked for future development. The housing Corporation, a semi-government agency responsible for housing in the state, has constructed more than 100 units of houses. Additional units are in the pipeline with an area of 80ha has been allocated to the Corporation for this purpose.

COMMERCIAL  

The commercial centre, which is strategically located, consists of business offices, department stores, shops and supermarkets, hotels entertainment and recreation facilities. Four commercial centers are being planned to cater for future growth.  

EVENTS HAPPENING  

Every March, Tanjung Manis comes alive with 'Tanjung Manis Day,' a day to commemorate the establishment since March 1990.  

Activities like sports carnivals, culture programme, competitions and ever popular Tanjung Manis Fishing Safari, which is held in May annually and plan to organize the Tanjung Manis Regatta in future year.

LOCALITY  

The natural deep water inland port with container facilities is accessible to ocean going vessels plying to and from Europe. Middle East, Far East, Australia, ASEAN member countries and North America.  

Lots from the four industries (timber, palm oil, fishery and ship building) are available at RM9 per square foot for river frontage development and RM7 per square foot (in-land development).  

Investors who are interested in the township are welcome to contact STIDC at Tel: 6082-443477 or visit our website at www.pusaka.org.my

The timber industry has been part and parcel of Sarawak's diverse economic growth over the years through a well-managed and well defined forest policy which has enable it to develop the industry.  

The State has been able to manage its forest well through the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) policy that has been enforced after the establishment of the Forestry Department more than 80 years ago to meet the stringent requirements of the scientific communities as well as other reputable and respected international organizations such as the FAO, ITTO, to name a few,  

Currently, Sarawak has designated six million hectares of its forest as Permanent Forest Estates (PFEs) and one million as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs). By creating such areas, the State will be assured of a steady supply of timber to keep the industry going while maintaining the biodiversity and ecology of the State through the requirements of the various stakeholders.

By the definition of the law, illegal logging encompasses the extraction of timber from national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. The encroachment into native customary rights land, communal forest or state land forest by licensees or their contractors and the extraction of timber from an area designated for the establishment of a forest plantation by individuals or groups without the permit or authorization.

Practical Actions to Combat Illegal Logging
Recognizing the multitude of drivers responsible for illegal logging,. Sarawak Forestry has developed a multifaceted approach to curbing the ...... Read the full approach from :
environment.yale.edu/tfd/uploads/TFD_Illegal_Logging_Review.pdf

As Sarawak continue to rid itself of illegal logging, clearly, the State wants to ensure that all logs and timber products produced in Sarawak come from a legal source, namely from licensed forest concession or areas covered by license properly issued under the Forests Ordinance and exported incompliance whither relevant laws.

DEVELOPMENT IN PENANS VILLAGES
The Penans have been relying on government for development projects such as schools, clinics, agricultural supplies, housing etc. Even most Penans have no birth certificates, Identity Cards and official documents. The Penans are really in great need for government assistance as they are in deep hardship due to the impacts that most of their forest had been badly devastated by logging operation. The building of road by government to any of the Penan villages, if there is any plan at all, is supported by the Penan. The Penan has made it clearly known over and over again in their letters, petitions and memorandums to the Governments and even SUHAKAM that they support government development projects but not logging within their customary rights land area.   http://stop-timber-corruption.org/resources/