SABAH’S new forestry policy will allow the state to generate up to RM50 billion in revenue from premium timber in the next 30 years, said Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal today.

He said the 2018 policy was formulated to replace the outdated one from 1954.

“We aim to optimise the potential of the state’s timber sector, including adding value through the creation of downstream activities.

“At the same time, we want to promote the conservation of the environment and wildlife.

“We may not be able to enjoy the benefits from our timber industry immediately, but our future generations will be able to do so, thanks to the work we’re doing today,” he said at the launch of the new policy in Sandakan.

The policy contains seven key thrusts, and is aimed at encouraging sustainable forest management, social and economic benefits, and wildlife and environmental conservation.

On efforts to increase revenue from timber, Shafie noted weaknesses in the previous system, where timber exports were not properly recorded.

“Another way for us to improve the situation is by replanting forests with high-quality trees,” he said, citing the acacia and eucalyptus as examples.

He added that some concessionaires of Sabah’s Forest Management Unit are felling trees and not replanting them.

The state’s timber exports now generate just RM150 million a year, compared with the RM4 billion recorded in the 1970s and 1980s.

At present, said Shafie, forest cover accounts for 60% of Sabah’s total size, with half of that, or 3.5 million hectares, designated as forest reserves.

He said the state aims to achieve 30% “totally protected areas”, up from the current 26%. – December 3, 2018.