KUCHING: The Sarawak Timber Association (STA) remains committed to championing a sustainable timber industry despite facing challenges, said its chairman, Datuk Henry Lau Lee Kong.
He said that STA has organised the International Conference on the Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests from March 6 to 7, 2024, in collaboration with Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) and WWF-Malaysia, supported by the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).
He mentioned that the event brought together industry experts, leaders and stakeholders from around the world, providing a valuable platform for exchanging views, ideas, research and best practices.
“This knowledge exchange has led to innovative solutions and enhanced understanding of critical issues in the forestry industry.
“One key takeaway was the need for forests to provide economic value to remain protected.
“If forests cannot offer long-term economic returns, they risk being converted for more immediate financial gain.
“This principle underscores the importance of ensuring SFM (sustainable forest management) practices that meet both environmental and economic needs,” he said in his speech at the STA Annual General Meeting 2025 at Wisma STA here today.
According to Lau, based on the conference outcomes, STA has worked closely with FDS and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to strengthen training initiatives in SFM.
He said this includes organising training workshops such as the Biodiversity Observation for Ecosystem Health (BOLEH) Workshop and Training, Forest Management Plan and Reduced Impact Logging Training, as well as the Honorary Wildlife Ranger Training.
“These programmes help equip industry stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance forest management practices,” he said.
Additionally, Lau stated that STA continues to support the Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA) under the Natural Resources and Environment (Audit) Rules 2008 for the forestry sector in Sarawak, with STA Training Sdn Bhd (STAT) being appointed as the official training provider starting July 1, 2024.
“In 2024, STAT successfully conducted two Environmental Quality Monitoring and three ECA training sessions to meet the growing demands of the industry.
“These ongoing efforts are vital in ensuring that our members are equipped with the necessary knowledge to maintain compliance and drive sustainability within the industry,” he added.
