THE Sarawak assembly today passed the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) (Amendment) Bill 2022 to allow new provisions aimed at increasing the state’s timber export value to RM8 billion by 2030.

Sarawak deputy minister of town planning, land administration and environment Len Talif Salleh said the bill will pave the way for the state timber industry’s transformation towards value-added and export-orientated economics.

“With the target to increase the export value to RM8 billion by 2030, legality issues (concerning the timber industry) must be managed well through good governance and effective enforcement,” he said when tabling the bill today.

A timber industry licence will be introduced to replace the requirement of timber industry registration, while a temporary permit to operate will be issued as a temporary measure pending the issuance of a timber industry licence.

The bill also introduces penalty provisions for illegal logging, cancellation or suspension of licence, as well as enhancing and strengthening the enforcement powers under the STIDC Ordinance 1973.

Len Talif said the amendments will allow the ordinance to have adequate provisions to regulate the state timber industry in order to ensure that its products continue to be widely accepted globally by meeting the consumer’s legality compliance requirements.

“The introduction of this bill is a clear manifestation of the state government’s firm commitment towards strengthening the legal and institutional framework for the effective management of our timber industry,” he added. – Bernama, November 23, 2022.