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Industry players need to seek alternate raw material sources. THE issue of raw material shortage is a major trouble facing the timber industry, but industry players are working hand-in-hand with the government to address the situation - a vital step forward, as plywood products were the second largest contributor (RM3.4bil) to Malaysia’s RM22.5bil wood-based products export in 2019. Describing the acute shortage of raw materials in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as lower rubberwood supply due to increased latex production, the Malaysian Panel-Products Manufacturers’ Association (MPMA) chairman Datuk Wira Sheikh Othman Rahman said that plywood and panel manufacturers are facing stiff competition from sawmillers in securing a sufficient supply. ....
Chua said ocean freight for certain destinations have spiked by 300% to more than 500%. WHILE government policies and laws are key towards facilitating a healthy industry, the role of industry associations are also undeniably important in helping to ensure that regulatory measures support the growth of the industry as well. For the Timber Exporter’s Association of Malaysia (TEAM), which was established in 1955 with approximately 680 members, it aims to distill the feedback of industry players into a single, concerted voice to liaise with the government on policy and regulatory issues related to timber. According to its president Chua Song Fong, apart from furniture, most of the other sectors within the timber industry have seen a drop in business since the pandemic’s outbreak. ....
Muhtar: SFM has been built into the industry since the 1900s. IN recent years, sustainability has been a key concern with primary industries such as timber. But what many may not know is that sustainable forest management practices (SFM) have been built into the industry’s foundation for nearly a century. Under SFM, only specific trees with the right specifications are allowed to be harvested via the selective management system. “Sustainability has been at the core of the timber industry since 1901, when the British introduced the SFM system in Malaya, which is still being practised today, ” said Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) chief executive officer (CEO) Muhtar Suhaili. ....