Len Talif: Sarawak records RM1.87 bln timber export value as of third quarter of 2025

KUCHING (Dec 1): Sarawak’s timber industry recorded an export value of RM1.87 billion as of the third quarter of 2025, said the Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh.

He highlighted growth in the timber sector compared to the same period last year.

“Logs contributed RM310 million, an increase of three per cent compared to RM301 million for the same period in 2024, while wood pellet exports also rose 60 per cent to RM97 million, up from RM60 million during the same period,” he said in his winding-up speech for his ministry during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

He added that Japan remained the top importer with a value of RM1.17 billion, followed by India (RM299 million), Middle Eastern countries (RM105 million), Taiwan (RM77 million), and the Philippines (RM65 million).

On sustainable environmental management, Len Talif said: “Up to the third quarter of 2025, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) had received 61 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and 15 Environmental Management Plans (EMP).

“Of these, 46 EIA reports and 15 EMPs have been approved, while 15 EIA reports are still at various stages of assessment.”

For context, EIA is a legal requirement and a key instrument to ensure sustainable development in Sarawak.

To ensure compliance with EIA approval terms and conditions, he revealed that NREB had conducted 918 post-EIA monitoring activities and received 1,857 Environmental Monitoring Reports (EMR) between January and October 2025.

“Monitoring results identified 87 cases of non-compliance, for which notices were issued. During the same period, 14 investigation papers were opened, while eight cases were compounded, amounting to RM150,000,” he stated.

In response, NREB is enhancing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for post-EIA monitoring and the Guidelines for EMR Submission and Evaluation to strengthen monitoring and compliance processes.

“These measures aim to standardise field inspections, improve reporting practices, and ensure enforcement actions are carried out consistently and systematically,” he said.