Turning to to Finland for ideas
Chief Minister says Sarawak is mulling emulating Finnish afforestation model to achieve sustainability in timber industry
SIBU: Sarawak is studying the afforestation model used in Finland for its own sustainable forestry management.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, attaining sustainability will boost market confidence in Sarawak’s timber industry being environment-friendly.
“We are studying the model in Finland. Finland is good at afforestation – the planting of trees – but the weather there is not conducive to the timber industry. It takes the trees about 70 years to reach maturity, compared to here, which takes about six years to harvest.
“Meaning, what you can do now is afforestation – we plant timber. I have told the Forest Department that for every tree felled, one has to be planted – meaning that is sustainable. Sustainability is important in all the areas that have been harvested – (these areas) must be planted again with fast-growing trees. And that will give a signal to the market that we care for the environment,” Abang Johari said in officiating at the opening of M.M. Golden (M) Sdn Bhd’s corporate building at Deshon Road here yesterday.
The chief minister believed that once Sarawak had that ‘sustainability brand’, the market would be open to its timber products.
“Otherwise, people will boycott us – reason (being) we destroy the environment.
“We meet the requirement of sustainability and that is why our policy must be correct. Once we get the sustainability brand – I think the market will be with us.”
Abang Johari also assured everybody the continuation of ‘Tok Nan’ policy – the one laid out by his predecessor Pehin Sri Adenan Satem – in that no more
I have told the Forest Department that for every tree felled, one has to be planted. — Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
oil palm would be planted on state land, but such activity would be allowed on Native Customary Rights (NCR) land.
Abang Johari also said there was a need to diversify Sarawak’s policy on plantation as it could not rely solely on oil palm.
“If oil palm prices drop, (while) the timber (prices) climbs – at least we can balance on how to use of our resources. Then, the industry would always be there,” he said, stressing on the importance of safeguarding the environment to ensure balanced development in Sarawak.
On economic policy, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government – under the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition – would strive to stimulate the economy through creative and innovative opportunities that have to be created for its business community.
“You know very well that to grow our economy, there must be public spending. This public spending will spur business opportunities but at the same time, the private sector must play its role.
“When there is slow growth, then you increase public spending. When the growth is on average of between five and six per cent – meaning the opportunities will be meant for private sector then; the public spending will be reduced. That is where we save the public funds that (would) bring about an increase in our reserves.
“This is how the economy works.”
Abang Johari also pointed out that the Sarawak government would be imposing sales tax on petroleum and petroleum products – in view of Sarawak’s status as a petroleum-producing state – to further contribute to its coffers.
“And the state will make use of that revenue for public spending to finance our strategic products. That will give opportunity to private sector to implement these projects.
“That is why I have decided through our rights in the constitution (Malaysia Agreement 1963) to impose sales tax on petroleum products. And our budget 2019 – the total revenue RM10.5 billion with alternative funding (and) expenditure is RM11 billion – is the biggest budget so far by Sarawak government.”
On M.M. Golden, Abang Johari described it as a ‘very impressive development’ – a local company in Sarawak that had spread its wings to venture overseas.
It also indicated the confidence of the people overseas in the ability of Sarawakians to develop Sarawak, he added.
“Today marks the success of M.M. Golden (M) Sdn Bhd – from a four-storey shoplot office occupying 7,200 square feet, to a new one, occupying 10 units of three-storey shoplot and having an area of 40,000 square feet,” he said.
Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King who is also Sibu Municipal Council chairman, Repok assemblyman Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii who is also M.M. Golden managing director, Sibu Resident Charles Siaw and Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau were also present at the event.