Wong (left) and Abdul Adi exchanging agreements after the MoU signing. Also seen from left are Bujang, Adenan and Awang Tengah.
Wong (left) and Abdul Adi sign the MoU with Adenan (standing third left) and Bujang (second left) acting as witnesses. Also present on stage included Resource Planning and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datu Sudarsono Osman (left), Awang Tengah (fourth left) and State deputy secretary Datu Misnu Taha (fifth left). — All photos by Chimon Upon
Adenan (centre) prepares to cut the cake to celebrate Harwood’s 30th anniversary at the dinner. The chief minister is flanked by Bujang (on his right) and Awang Tengah.
KUCHING: Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) on a forest plantation and forest landscape restoration (FLR) project involving indigenous tree species.
Harwood Timber executive chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Mohd Nor said the collaboration would have both parties looking to play a more significant role in creating a sustainable timber industry in the state, with SFC providing the expertise.
The tie-up would also provide the framework for Harwood Timber and SFC to promote the greening process especially for degraded landscapes across the state, in line with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s vision of future reliance on timber supply from planted forests and at the same time, improving the well-being of rural communities and the environment that they live in.
The signatories of the MOU were Harwood Timber general manager Abdul Adi Abdul Kadir and SFC chief executive officer Wong Ting Chung, witnessed by Adenan and Bujang.
“In our effort to contribute towards a sustainable timber industry in Sarawak, we have taken another important step towards this by collaborating with SFC to venture into the plantation of indigenous species and FLR project,” Bujang said in his speech at Harwood Timber’s 30th anniversary dinner at a hotel here last night, where Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar were also present.
In 1994, Harwood Timber was appointed by the state government as the sole agency under the Forests Ordinance to administer and monitor the movement of logs in Sarawak. Under the amended Forest Ordinance 2015, the company received its re-appointment that took effect on July 1.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the chief minister who has been very supportive of the role that Harwood Timber plays in the legality verification of Sarawak logs and its re-appointment as the implementing party,” Bujang said.
Specifically, Harwood Timber physically inspects logs and verifies the legality of timber from the sources to the mills and export points. It also issues endorsement clearance certificates for both domestic and prepared-for-export logs after every thorough inspection.
Adding on, Bujang said Harwood Timber had diversified into other businesses as part of its long-term growth strategy. He listed out rubber nursery and plantation, timber trading slated for the furniture industry, and also afforestation and property development as among its branched-out businesses.
The company, he said, had also contributed to society through a series of corporate social responsibility (CSR)’s initiatives.
Meanwhile, Adenan said Harwood Timber would still play a key role in building up the state’s reputation in nation’s timber industry.
He acknowledged that while the state’s reforestation policy looked good on paper, the implementation was another matter that needed to be taken care of.
“The state needs to be serious in the initiative towards increasing the acreage of planted forest. With illegal logging, leakages and corruption clouding the state’s timber industry, all parties need to focus and work hard on restoring the state’s reputation in forest conservation.”
On another note, Adenan announced that he had agreed in principal on Harwood Timber’s application to build a resort in Sematan. The chief minister said he would bring the matter up with the state’s planning authority.
He was also contemplating on separating the national park’s forest and wildlife department as a move to improve functions and authorities.