Sarawak maintains 7.65 mln ha of forest cover, says Deputy Premier
KUCHING (May 28): Sarawak has successfully maintained forested areas covering 7.65 million hectares (ha), accounting for approximately 62 per cent of the state's total land area, said Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
The Deputy Premier stated that of this total, about 1.83 million ha have been certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), which is recognised by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
'Sarawak is currently undergoing a transformation towards a green development model, focusing on sustainable forest management through certification, biodiversity conservation, and the digitalisation of operations.
'This is essential to ensure that the state's forest resources are utilised through sustainable natural capital management,' he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
As part of its digitalisation efforts, Awang Tengah said the Sarawak Forest Department has developed and adopted satellite and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies through the Enterprise Forest Information Management System (EFIMS).
'Additionally, the Forest Licence Portal which includes the Electronic Removal Pass (ePASS) module, has been introduced to replace the use of Pre-Printed Removal Passes.
'Meanwhile, the Sarawak Logs Tracking and Forest Revenue System (Revlog) is used for transparent and efficient monitoring of forest revenue and timber traceability,' he added.
Awang Tengah said these initiatives position Sarawak as a leader in sustainable tropical forest management, in line with the core principles of the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS), including compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
STIDC, Pertama Ferroalloys ink RM200 mln S'wak bamboo plantation deal
Awang Tengah (standing behind, centre) witnesses the MoU exchanging ceremony between Zainal Abidin and Nakamura. – Photo from STIDC KUCHING (Aug 8): Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd to develop a commercial bamboo plantation within licensed forest areas in the state. The agreement was formalised during Sarawak Week 2025 at the Expo Osaka 2025 in Osaka, Japan today. Signing on behalf of STIDC was its general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah, while Pertama Ferroalloys was represented by its deputy president Yuki Nakamura. The ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. Awang Tengah, who is Second State Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, as well as State Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment said the investment value from the collaboration is expected to reach RM200 million, with implementation to be carried out in phases. Under the MoU, STIDC will assist Pertama Ferroalloys in identifying suitable forest plantation areas for bamboo cultivation, supply high-quality bamboo seedlings, and provide technical services in bamboo resource management. The partnership aims to establish bamboo plantations to meet the raw material needs of Pertama Ferroalloys, thereby reducing reliance on imported resources. It also opens opportunities for value-added bamboo-based industries in collaboration with local communities. Themed 'Sustainability for Tomorrow', Sarawak Week 2025 is one of the highlights under Expo Osaka 2025, held on Yumeshima artificial island. The event, which runs from April 13 to October 13, will see participation from 158 countries and territories, along with seven international organisations. bamboo plantation MoU Pertama Ferroalloys stidc
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Khazanah's Dana Impak initiative a boost for MTCs
Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir. PETALING JAYA: More than 100 mid-tier companies (MTCs) in Malaysia are being honed to level-up via efforts by Khazanah Nasional Bhd's initiative, Dana Impak. In Malaysia, MTCs contribute about 36% to the country's gross domestic product and employ some 16% of the national workforce. In a statement, the sovereign wealth fund said these will include a dual-track approach of capacity development and mobilising growth capital via private credit and private equity strategies. Managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said through Dana Impak, the group aims to be both a catalyst and a connector by identifying gaps in the ecosystem, deploying patient capital where markets are underserved, and investing in talent among others. 'Our focus on levelling up Malaysian MTCs represent our Advancing Malaysia strategy to enhance the country's economic competitiveness and resilience,' he said. He added among the initiatives included were the Elevate Programme, a four-month executive leadership programme established by the Securities Commission's affiliate, Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM) with the aim of preparing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and MTCs for successful capital raising. 'As part of Khazanah's efforts to support MTCs access to the capital markets and strengthen their fundraising capabilities, Khazanah together with CMM will jointly fund MTCs participants in Elevate cohorts until 2027,' it said. Another initiative is the MTC Growth Innovation Programme (MGIP), designed to equip MTCs with the skill sets to venture into new markets or expand into new business segments. Khazanah said there will be masterclasses on customer-centricity, enterprise innovation and business expansion plan validation, while companies will have diagnostic support and executive coaching. MGIP participants such as Enda Group Sdn Bhd said challenges faced as MTC's are distinct from those of SMEs. 'That's what drew us to join MGIP as it is a programme that understands what it takes to scale a business like ours,' said group chief executive officer Mohammad Munzir Aminuddin. According to Amirul, Khazanah's private credit strategy under Dana Impak aims to accelerate the growth of Malaysian MTCs with non-dilutive financing solutions. 'In line with this effort, Khazanah is pleased to announce its partnerships with Navis Capital Partners and Granite Asia,' he said. Under the private equity strategy, Khazanah announced a partnership with Creador, to accelerate regional expansion and drive growth within MTCs through its value creation capabilities. Meanwhile, Khazanah said there are opportunities for MTC's to apply for the next MGIP cohort, which will commence in the third quarter of this year.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Khazanah boosts support for mid-tier companies
KUALA LUMPUR: Khazanah Nasional Bhd is ramping up support for domestic mid-tier companies (MTCs) through a dual-track strategy under its Dana Impak initiative. This approach combines capacity building with growth capital through private credit and private equity. The initiative aims to benefit over 100 MTCs by strengthening capabilities, improving access to funding and driving innovation-led growth. "Khazanah's private credit strategy under Dana Impak aims to accelerate the growth of Malaysian MTCs through non-dilutive financing solutions," it said in a statement. Khazanah is partnering with Navis Capital Partners, a Kuala Lumpur-based Asean-focused investment firm, and Granite Asia, to provide customised credit solutions that support the growth of local MTCs. Under its private equity track, the sovereign wealth fund is also working with experienced fund managers to help MTCs scale up, enter regional markets, and enhance operations. It also announced a partnership with Malaysian private equity firm Creador, known for helping growth-stage companies expand regionally and unlock performance through value creation. Khazanah managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said that through Dana Impak, the fund serves as both catalyst and connector. It addresses gaps in the ecosystem, providing long-term capital where the market falls short, investing in talent, and attracting private investors. "Our focus on levelling up Malaysian MTCs represents our Advancing Malaysia strategy to enhance Malaysia's economic competitiveness and resilience.
