Malaysian Timber Council to strengthen partnership with STIDC, Kayusar

KUCHING (Aug 2): The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) wants to strengthen its partnership with the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and Kayusar Plywood Factory to support the growth of the country’s wood-based industry.

Its MTC CEO Noraihan Abdul Rahman acknowledged that STIDC has clear plans to improve both the upstream and downstream sectors of Sarawak’s wood-based industry.

“We hope to see greater cooperation between industry players in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak to advance this industry,” she said in a statement today following a courtesy to STIDC and Kayusar Plywood Factory offices at Wisma Sumber Alam in Petra Jaya here.

She said the visit highlighted the strong partnership and collaborative efforts to boost Malaysia’s wood-based and bamboo industries, adding that MTC also wished to explore Sarawak’s bamboo industry.

The MTC delegation was led by MTC Trustee and Malaysian Panel Products Manufacturers Association (MPMA) chairman Datuk Wira Sheikh Othman Sheikh Abdul Rahman.

The visit gave MTC officials an opportunity to understand STIDC’s important role in developing Sarawak’s wood-based and bamboo industries.

STIDC general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah gave the visitors a clear overview of the corporation’s goals and activities.

He said STIDC aims to transform and modernise the timber industry with the goal of increasing export earnings to RM8 billion by 2030.

This goal is part of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which includes several key initiatives by STIDC, he said, adding that a major part of STIDC’s strategy is the development of the bamboo industry.

Significant investments have been made to explore various uses for bamboo, including bicycles, biomass, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, food, furniture, handicrafts, and biochar, said Zainal.

Central to these efforts are the Sabal Bamboo Nursery, which produces 45,000 seedlings each year, and the Tanjung Manis Bamboo Nursery, which produces 450,000 seedlings annually, Zainal revealed.

He also pointed out that the Bamboo Community Project had involved 146 participants and covered more than 63 hectares, while commercial bamboo plantations have expanded to 3,597 hectares across Sarawak, stressing that STIDC’s vision goes beyond bamboo.

He revealed that recent projects include developing the engineered wood industry, exploring carbon trading, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses, adding that STIDC conducted a workshop on the Furniture Making Industry Blueprint for Sarawak 2024 and organised benchmarking visits to the Muar Furniture Association in Johor and Institut Kemahiran MARA (IKM) in Alor Setar, Kedah.

“STIDC also supports young furniture designers through the SayD’Signers Sarawak Programme.

“STIDC has achieved significant milestones, showing its commitment to innovation and sustainability in Sarawak’s wood-based and bamboo sectors,” he said.

The corporation’s growth and initiatives reflect its dedication to building a thriving and sustainable wood-based and bamboo industries, he added.

“STIDC’s ambitious plans, including modernising the timber industry and expanding bamboo utilisation, aim to significantly enhance Sarawak’s export earnings and industry growth. With ongoing initiatives and investments, STIDC is driving innovation and sustainability,” he said.