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Danum Valley |
Danum Valley Field Centre |
Gemok Hill |
Madai
Caves | Maliau Basin |
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| Timber of Sarawak | Timber of Sabah |
WOODS OF SABAH
Ricehusk Board (Papan Sekam Padi)
1. Malaysia will reiterate its commitment towards the principle
of sustainable development which has been endorsed by the international
community. While focusing on economic growth and development, Malaysia
government will give equal emphasis to promote conservation of its natural
resources and also to give adequate attention to social aspects as well. Despite
of the robust development in the last few decades, Malaysia still manage to
maintain about 59.5% of her total land mass under natural forest covers. Out of
this, about 43 % or 14.1 million hectares of Malaysia's natural forests have
been gazetted by laws as Permanent Forest Estates (PFE) and other conservation
areas such as; national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.
2. Forests worldwide are being threatened by uncontrolled degradation and
destruction mainly because of unsustainable human activity as well as due to
forest fire. Equally threatening is the issue of global warming and
unsustainable consumption of natural resources. Many countries are faced with a
serious conflict in deciding on the right balance between productive and
protective functions of the forest. Information on full cost internalization of
all functions and values of the forest would be useful to improve the present
under estimation of the value of the forest as an option in land-use
allocations.
3. Malaysia underscore the importance of good governance and proper management
of natural resources as amongst the core tools for achieving sustainable
development. Malaysia's commitment to achieve sustainable forest management (SFM)
necessitates tremendous efforts on our part, including changes at the policy
level as well as effectively implements those policies. Internationally, greater
focus should also be given to the constraints on market access encountered by
timber exports from the developing countries in the global markets. Without
market access and remunerative returns, forests have little value and will loose
its importance.
4. The IPF/IFF proposals for action represent significant progress and consensus
at the international level on how to move forward towards sustainable forest
management from policy dialogue to action. However, a number of specific areas
have impeded the effective implementation of the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action,
including the lack of financial resources, technical and institutional capacity,
especially in developing countries, as well as a lack or even the absence of
national legislation and institutions that are adequately equipped to implement
existing conventions and other instruments.
Malaysian Timber is graded according to the Malaysian Grading Rules (MGR).
The Malaysian Grading Rules (MGR) is an internationally recognized grading rules for which Malaysian Timber Industries Board is the Grading Authority. Grading ensures the elimination of defects and blemishes which can affect the strength and performance of timber.
Malaysian government in order to further enrich forestry
resources, fast growing timber species such as Meranti tembaga,
Merawan and Sesenduk will be planted.
The planting of high value trees such as teak and trees for paper and pulp is encouraged.
SOFTWOODS
These are very few true softwoods of commercial significance in Malaysia. None
are durable in the tropics. The main difference between the timber of Hardwoods
and Softwoods (conifers) is the absence of vessels (pores) in Softwoods.
LIGHT HARDWOODS
These include all the relatively light weight and soft timbers which range in
density from about 400 to 720 kg. per cu. m. at 15 per cent moisture content.
They are the 'general utility' timbers of Malaysia, comparable with the general
utility timbers in temperate climates; the latter however, are mainly softwoods
(conifers).
In addition to general utility purposes many of these Light Hardwoods are
excellent for high class joinery work, cabinet making, furniture, decorative
panelling, etc. Although not naturally durable in tropical climate, some are
quite durable in temperate regions. Provided that proper precautions are taken
against attack by wood destroying agents, the Light Hardwoods as a whole make
very satisfactory timbers for general construction even when used in tropical
climates.
MEDIUM HARDWOODS
These are moderately heavy to heavy constructional timbers ranging in density
from 720 to 880 kg. per cu. m. at 15 per cent moisture content. Some of these
timbers are heavy and strong enough to be classified as 'Heavy Hardwoods' but
under tropical conditions they lack sufficient natural durability when exposed
to the weather or in contact with the ground unless they are properly treated
with preservative before use. Most of them however, are naturally durable in
temperate countries where climatic conditions are less conducive to the activity
of the destroying agents.
HEAVY HARDWOODS
These are heavy or very heavy constructional timbers ranging in density from
about 800 to 1,120 kg. per cu. m. at 15 per cent moisture content. They are
naturally durable as they contain within their tissues some toxic materials,
e.g. alkaloides or other substances repellent to wood destroying agents and can
therefore be safely used without perservative treatment even in positions
exposed to fungus or termite activities; the sapwood of these timbers, however,
is not durable.
Malaysia is richly endowed with tropical forest resources and is one of the
world's leading producers and exporters of tropical timber. The vast forest
resources have enabled the country to establish processing industries geared for
the world markets.
Forests of Malaysia
The total forested land in Malaysia is estimated to be 20.56 million hectares,
with 5.82 million hectares in Peninsular Malaysia, 4.46 million hectares in
Sabah and 10.28 million hectares in Sarawak. Permanent Forest Estate (PFE)
covering 14.33 million hectares or 43.6% of Malaysia's total land area of 32.86
million hectares has been earmarked. Of this, 3.49 million hectares are
classified as Protection Forest where no logging is permitted and 10.84 million
hectares as Production Forest where sustainable timber harvesting is carried
out. Besides the PFE, 2.12 million hectares are dedicated to national parks,
wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves.
Of the 20.56 million hectares of forests 87.5% or 17.99% million hectares are
dipterocarp forests, 1.74 million hectares are fresh-water swamps and 0.63
million hectares are mangrove forests. The dipterocarp forests are characterized
by the predominance of the family Dipterocarpaceae with many species of the
genera Anisoptera (Mersawa), Dipterocarpus (Keruing), Dryobalanops (Kapur),
Hopea (Merawan & Giam). Shorea (Meranti & Balau) and Parashorea (Gerutu).
There are altogether 2,650 tree species in Malaysia, of which 408 species have
been identified as commercial species which can be utilized for a wide range of
applications.
In Malaysia, the conversion of forests for agricultural purposes has been
undertaken with environmentally-sound land use practices and carried out
systematically under the country's 5-year development plan.
Most of the cleared forests have been replaced by tree crops such as rubber,
oil palm and cocoa. These crops covering 4.8 million hectares have contributed
to the greening process making a substantial part of the country (77.2%) still
under forest and tree cover.
Forest policy & legislation
The forest resources in Malaysia have been systematically managed since the
beginning of this century when the first Forest Officer was appointed in 1901.
Over the years, ecologically and environmentally-sound forest conservation and
management practices have been developed to ensure forest renewal and sustained
yield.
The National Forestry Policy was formulated and officially adopted in 1978.
This Policy was revised in 1992 to take into account the conservation and
sustainable utilization of biological diversity, the participation of local
communities in forestry and the enhancement of ecotourism. The salient feature
of the National Forestry Policy are as follows:-
i. to dedicate as Permanent Forest Estate sufficient areas strategically located
throughout the country in accordance with the concept of rational land use under
four major functions, namely:-
• Protection Forest
• Production Forest
• Amenity Forest and
• Research and Education Forest.
ii. to implement a planned programme of forest development through forest
regeneration and rehabilitation operations;
iii. to promote efficient harvesting and utilization within the production
forest and to stimulate the development of appropriate forest industries
commensurate with resource flow;
iv. to increase the production of non-wood forest produce through scientific and
sustainable management practices;
v. to provide for the conservation of biological diversity and areas with
unique species of flora and fauna;
vi. to encourage private sector investment in forest development;
vii. to undertake and support intensive research programmes in forestry and
forest products;
viii. to undertake and support a comprehensive programme of forest training at
all levels for the public and private sectors;
ix. to promote education in forestry and undertake publicity and extension
services; and
x. to promote active local community participation in various forestry
development projects and to enhance their involvement in agro-forestry
programme.
Implementation of the National Forestry Policy is aimed to ensure:
• the sound climatic and physical condition of the country;
| • the safeguarding of water supplies and soil fertility;
• the minimizing of damage by floods and erosion to rivers and agricultural
land;
• the supply in perpetuity and at reasonable rates of forest produce for further
processing, manufacturing and export;
• the conservation of adequate forest areas for recreation, education, research
and protection of the country's flora and fauna.
Harvesting and rehabilitation
Forest harvesting in the PFE is always carried out by selective cutting as
opposed to clear felling. Only 7 to 12 trees, out of 500 trees per hectare, are
allowed to be removed per harvest. These trees must measure at least 45 cm in
diameter at breast height. Directional felling of marked trees is strictly
adhered, to reduce damage to the remaining trees. A minimum of 32 trees, at
least 30 cm at breast height, are left behind for the second harvesting cycle.
In the moist tropical climate, regeneration after harvesting occurs quite
naturally. However, where necessary, rehabilitation of the harvested forests is
carried out to enable young trees to achieve faster growth. Enrichment planting
is carried out at areas poorly stocked with preferred species.
Plantations
Plantation programmes have been implemented to supplement timber supply. Today,
about 196,846 hectares of plantation forests have been established mainly in
Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. Moreover, increasingly, agricultural tree crops
has supplemented wood supplies from the natural forests. Wood from rubber trees
is a case in point. In recent years, Rubberwood also known as Heveawood has
emerged as a popular timber species for furniture and is well regarded as a
renewable resource and environment friendly material. Research and development
is being conducted to utilise oil palm trunks and fronds for the manufacture of
reconstituted panels.
Malaysian Criteria and Indicators
Malaysia is intensifying its efforts towards achieving sustainable forest
management and will ensure that the ITTO Guidelines for Sustainable Management
of Natural Forests and its Criteria for the Measurement of Sustainable Tropical
Forest Management be fully realised. In this regard, the National Committee on
Sustainable Forest Management in Malaysia was established in February 1994 at
the Ministry of Primary Industries, Malaysia. The National Committee has
formulated a total of 92 activities to operationalise the ITTO's 5 criteria and
27 indicators on sustainable forest management at national level. Recognising
each individual state in Malaysia as a Forest Management Unit (FMU), the
National Committee had also identified a total of 84 activities to be
implemented at the forest management unit level under ITTO's Criteria and
Indicators. Against each activity identified, the Forestry Department of
Peninsular Malaysia has also formulated management specifications (benchmarks)
for its effective monitoring and evaluation. Management specifications have also
been formulated by the respective Forestry Departments of Sabah and Sarawak. All
these management specifications need to be realised by the year 2000 in
accordance with Malaysia's commitment to the ITTO's Year 2000 Objective.
International cooperation in forestry
In the wake of global concern for the environment, Malaysia attaches importance
to international co-operation and consultation on forestry issues. The country
has been actively involved in international, regional and bilateral arrangements
on forestry and timber trade development issues.
At the international level, organisations such as the FAO, UNDP, World Bank and
the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) have rendered technical
and financial assistance towards forestry development in the country. Malaysia
is an active member of ITTO and subscribes to the ITTO Objective Year 2000.
Malaysia also fully subscribes to the Statement of Principles on Forests and the
various forestry programmes under Agenda 21 adopted at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
in June, 1992, as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity which Malaysia
has ratified on 2 June, 1994.
Malaysia has and will continue to participate actively in the post UNCED
discussions on forestry under the United Nations Commission on Sustainable
Development (UNCSD) especially the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF), in
ensuring the early implementation of the UNCED decisions on forestry.
Currently, Malaysia is carrying out bilateral cooperation forestry projects with
a number of countries such as Denmark, the European Union and Japan.
Timber certification
As part of Malaysia's efforts to ensure sustainable forest management as well as
to facilitate the trade in timber from Malaysia, the National Timber
Certification Council, Malaysia was incorporated in October, 1998. It is
responsible for the development and implementation of a timber certification
scheme in Malaysia.
The role of the Council would also include the development and implementation of
standards as well as training programmes related to timber certification;
establishment and implementation of a system to oversee and monitor the
implementation of the certification scheme, including appeal mechanisms;
establishment of networks and cooperation with national and international bodies
to facilitate cooperation and mutual recognition arrangements; and collection,
processing and dissemination of information related to timber certification and
sustainable forest management.
Forests are of prime importance to the Malaysian economy. It generates income,
employment and foreign exchange earnings and serve as an excellent base for
industrial development. It is thus very much to its interest that Malaysia
continues to manage its forest resource on a sustained basis. The Malaysian
forests will remain a renewable resource and will be managed to ensure a balance
between economic, ecological and environmental needs of the country.
The viability of the downstream processing industry is important to the wood-based sector as a whole. Towards this end, the Ministry of Primary Industries, will continue to play its role in formulating appropriate policies and strategies to ensure the viability and competitiveness of the wood-based industry in the next millennium. In this context, the active participation by the timber industry towards government programmes is a step in the right direction in the spirit of Malaysia Incorporated.
Challenges to the marketing of Malaysian wood products are indeed many and diverse. Changes in the market scenario brought about by globalization, liberalization, technology advancement, policy changes as well as labor and raw material shortages have to be constantly dealt with. Nevertheless, with the constant improvement undertaken by our manufacturers and continuous support from the government for the industry, Malaysian timber industry, particularly the furniture sector, will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Encouraged by Malaysian government's policy of promoting an export-led manufacturing sector as the engine for growth, Malaysian wood-based industries have in recent years adopted aggressive business strategies to expedite globalization and penetration into non-traditional markets.
The Malaysian timber industry exports registered an all-time
high at RM14.9 billion in 1998, thus maintaining its position as a major foreign
exchange earner for commodity products. It is gratifying to note that downstream
processing activities in particular the furniture sector has been developing
rapidly. Furniture exports (wooden & rattan) in 1998 reached RM3.3 billion and
are expected to exceed RM4.0 billion by the end of 1999.
The Malaysian timber industry remains a major foreign exchange earner. In 1997
timber and timber products contributed RM14.7 billion or 7 percent of total
export earnings of the country. In 1998, the timber industry remained prominent
even though exports dropped to RM14.2 billion.
In 1998 there were over 5,200 timber processing mills, the major ones of which
are 1,193 sawmills, 179 plywood and veneer mills, 344 moulding plants, and
approximately 2,900 furniture factories. The wood-based industry is adequately
supported by timber preservation and kiln-drying facilities. In addition, there
are alsjo 11 particleboard plants, nine medium density fibreboard (MDF) plants,
six wood cement board plants, 41 laminated board plants, ten prefabricated house
plants, ten wood chip plants and six wooden toy factories. The industry provides
employment to more than 211,000 people.
MAJOR WOOD PROCESSING MILLS IN MALAYSIA 1998
Sawmills 1,193
Plywood/Veneer mills 179
Moulding plants 344
Furniture factories (approx.) 2,947
MDF plants 9
Kiln-drying plants 259
Timber preservation plants 179
Source : Forestry Department Malaysia
In line with the Government's policy to develop downstream
processing of timber, the production of value-added products such as mouldings,
joinery and furniture have been actively promoted. Fiscal incentives such as the
Pioneer Status, Investment Tax Allowance, and Abatement of Adjusted Income For
Export are provided to promote the growth of such industries.
The domestic market, especially in Peninsular Malaysia, remains important for
primary processed and value-added timber products. The construction sector
continued to be the major end-use sector but due to the economic crisis
affecting Malaysia and the Asian region, the construction sector declined
sharply by 24.5 % in 1998, compared with a growth of 9.5 % in 1997. About 2.0
million m3 of sawntimber and 356,856 m3 of plywood were consumed in the
peninsula registering a decline of 34.2% and 34.3% respectively compared with
1997.
Exports of sawntimber in 1997 totalled 3.0 million m3. In 1998, sawntimber
exports declined to 2.7 million m3 due to a drop in demand from markets in Asia.
Major markets for sawntimber were Thailand, P.R .China, Taiwan, Singapore,
Japan, Netherlands and the Philippines.
Plywood exports in 1997 reached a peak of 3.8 million m3 and then dropped to 3.6
million m3 in 1998. Major markets were Japan, P.R China, the United States,
Taiwan, Singapore and Netherlands.
Veneer exports reached to 746,600 m3 in 1997 and then declined to 730,400 m3 in
1998. Major markets were P.R. China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.
Export of mouldings reached RM 782.6 million in 1997 but lowered to RM 745.2
million in 1998. Major markets were Japan, Taiwan, the United States and P.R.
China.
The wooden and rattan furniture industry, on the contrary, showed a positive
growth. Exports of wooden and rattan furniture expanded further in 1997 and 1998
to RM 2.6 billion and RM 3.3 billion respectively. Major markets were the United
States, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Taiwan.
The various sectors of the industry must continuously upgrade
their product quality in order to improve their position in the market. In line
with this objective, the government encourages the adoption of high technology
as a means to overcome the increasing cost of raw materials and shortage of
skilled labour as well as increasing production capacity. In addition, the
government supports market diversification, and off shore sourcing of raw
materials.
TIMBER
Government Departments in
Tawau
• Addresses of MTIB Offices
GENERAL INFORMATION ARTICLES
• A Sustainable Resource of Malaysian Forest
• The Wood- Industry of Malaysia
• Port Facilities in Malaysia
TIMBER TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
• Local Timber Trade Associations
• Overseas Timber Trade Associations
GENERAL INFORMATION
Commercial Timbers of Peninsular Malaysia
Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System
Strength Grouping of Timbers
Strength Groups & Their Applications
Recommended Standard Timber Sizes for Building Components
Timber Grading Marks
Metric Equivalents
Timber Export Statistics (1994 - 1998)
LISTINGS OF COMPANIES
• Exporters/Suppliers/Manufacturers of Timber Products in Peninsular M-Malaysia
• Graders and Jetty Operators
• Exporters/Suppliers/Manufacturers of Timber Products in Sabah and Sarawak
INDEX
Classified Index
List of Exporters (Peninsular Malaysia)
List of Suppliers/Manufacturers (Peninsular Malaysia)
List of Exporters (Sabah)
List of Suppliers/Manufacturers (Sabah)
List of Advertisers
Guideline to change in telephone numbers by Telekom Malaysia
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INDEX : TIMBER 15-1-2008 |
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