Steps taken to soften Covid-19, MCO impact on timber industry’

KUCHING: In order to ensure economic activities in the state are generating income for Sarawak, activities related to logging, plywood mill, sawmill and forest plantation are allowed to operate, said Sarawak Forest Department.

In a statement yesterday, the department pointed out that the state government is very concerned about the impact of Covid-19 pandemic and the movement control order (MCO) on the timber industry.

“Recognising the impact, the state government hopes that there would be no workers being laid off and wages being cut by the industry during this challenging period.

“The industry is expected to prioritise the welfare of the workers by taking into account their contribution to the growth and development of the forestry sector as a whole,” it said.

The department however stressed that permission to operate is subject to the minimum use of labour and also regulations and conditions imposed by the state government.

Timber industry players are also required to take strict control measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, it added.

The department also called on all timber and forestry sector workers to stay at their

Recognising the impact, the state government hopes that there would be no workers being laid off and wages being cut by the industry during this challenging period. Sarawak Forest Department

respective jobs and not to return to their villages during the MCO period.

“Permission is given to trucks to transport logs to factories that have been approved for operation by the government, including those in Samalaju and Samajaya areas.

“The Removal Pass (RP) will be issued to the load by the Forest Department. However, all truck drivers must obtain a special permit from the nearest divisional-level Disaster Management Committee (Resident’s Office),” it said.

It also said the state government has allowed timber exports to be carried out as normal during the MCO period, but that exporters must comply with the current directives issued by the State Disaster Management Committee.

“The state government has also agreed to provide a 30 per cent discount on the Annual Land Rent (ALR) for the payment period of 2020 to 43 forestry licensees in Sarawak.