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STA Vacancies

The Sarawak Timber Association (STA) currently has about 600 member companies. A team of dedicated staff in the Secretariat executes the work of the Association under the STA Council. Both the Association and two of its wholly-owned companies, STA Enterprises Sdn Bhd. (STAE), STA Training Sdn Bhd. (STAT), are now looking for suitable candidates to fill the following vacant positions. Read More

Imposition Of Normal Rates Of Human Resources Development Levy Effective 1 April 2011 by Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB)

STA have received a circular from Human Resource Development Berhad/Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) informing us on the following:-

(a) re-imposition of 1% for the rate of human resources development (HRD) levy to all employers (except small employers under the manufacturing sector) with effect from 1 April 2011; and

(b) re-imposition of 0.5% for the rate of HRD levy to small employers under the manufacturing sector with effect from the same date.

(c) employers are required to pay the HRD levy at the normal rates beginning the month of April 2011.

For further clarification and assistance on the matter, please contact PSMB Customer Service Call Centre at 03-20964600 or 03-20964819.

EPF Contribution Rate reverted to 11 percent

The EPF announced that the statutory contribution by employees to EPF will be reverted to 11 percent from the existing 8 percent with effect from January 2011 salary. This means that EPF contribution rate of 11 percent will be deducted from the employees’ January 2011 salaries and remitted to EPF from February 2011.

The employees’ statutory rate was reduced from 11 percent to 8 percent for a period of two years beginning from January 2009 salary until December 2010.

STA advise all members to ensure that the appropriate amount is deducted from the employees’ salaries based on the 11 percent statutory rate and remitted to EPF from February 2011 onwards.

The employers’ portion of the monthly statutory contributions to EPF remains at 12 percent.

New Requirement For Registration In Carrying Out Timber Activities For Woodchip And Pulp

STA received a circular from Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) informing the Association that members who wish to register with STIDC to carry out woodchip and pulp activities must adhere to the following conditions:-

1) Manufacturer

Provide proof of long term plan for supply of raw material extracted from Licensed Planted Forest owned by the company.

2) Exporter

Provide proof of supply of raw material from owned group of companies who are registered as manufacturer and owned a Licensed Planted Forests.

3) Importer

Obtained prior approval from Ministry of Planning and Resource Management (MPRM)

Enclosed herewith is the revised ‘CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS’ to the Certification of Registration. It supersedes the ‘CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS’ dated 1 October 2009, with immediate effect.

Public Holidays August 2011
STA received a circular from Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) on the public holidays in August 2011.The Government has gazetted the following dates in August 2011 as public holidays:-

a) 30 August 2011 – Hari Raya Puasa (Tuesday – First Day)
b) 31 August 2011 – Hari Raya Puasa (Wednesday – Second Day)
c) 31 August 2011 – National Day (Wednesday)

In view of the foregoing, as National Day and the second day of Hari Raya Puasa fall on 31 August 2011, the following day that is Thursday, 1 September 2011 will be the public holiday for Hari Raya Puasa (Second Day). This will apply to member companies which recognise both days of Hari Raya Puasa as public holidays. For companies which only observe the first day of Hari Raya Puasa (30 August 2011) as a public holiday, then 31 August 2011 will remain as public holiday for National Day.

For further clarification and assistance on the matter, please contact MEF KL at 03-79557778.

Job Vacancy
STA Enterprises Sdn. Bhd. is a wholly-owned company of the Sarawak Timber Association which owns and manages Wisma STA. The company is seeking suitable individual to fill in the position of Maintenance Supervisor and Technician. Read More

STA Membership Renewal
Members are reminded that all STA Membership will expire on 31 December 2010.

All payments are due on 1 January 2011. However, in accordance to Article 4(d) of STA Memorandum and Articles of Association [page 23 of Eleventh Printing, October 2009], members are given a grace period of 30 days that is, by 31 January 2011 to effect payment.

National Formaldehyde Legislation and Lacey Act Declaration Form
STA have received an email from IWPA urging STA to provide comments to the following federal initiatives:

• National Formaldehyde Legislation

• Lacey Act Declaration Form

Input sought from Small Business on Formaldehyde Standards
Deadline Fast Approaching

STA have until November 2, 2010 to register their interest in participating in an advocacy review panel on the impacts of the proposed regulation on formaldehyde emissions.

Lacey Act Declaration Form
November 29 deadline for submitting comments

The Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) which regulates the Lacey Act is seeking public comment on the Plant and Plant Product Declaration Form. Public comments will be evaluated to determine approval of the form for an additional three years. This is a routine process mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act, but it is also a unique opportunity to tell the government how you really feel about the declaration. (Note of caution all comments submitted will be public).

APHIS wants to know how much of a time, resource, expense burden the declaration places on importers. They are also looking for suggestions on how to streamline and enhance the information collected. APHIS estimates the reporting burden for this collection averages 8 hours per response. IWPA will be surveying its members to determine the accuracy of this estimate and will use the results in its comments to APHIS.

IWPA Task Forces

IWPA is asking for volunteers to serve on task forces related to both the Lacey Act and the Formaldehyde Legislation. Task Force members will be asked to participate in conference calls, Capitol Hill and Agency briefings and other tasks as needed. Please contact Brigid Shea, brigid@iwpawood.org for more information.

Launch of Goods & Services Tax (GST) website
The Ministry of Finance has launched a Goods and Services Tax (GST) website, which will serve as a useful source of information on GST, including its latest news and events. Businesses will also be able to register for GST, make enquiries and complaints and obtain the necessary forms (some of which are already available on the site) from this website in the future.

The website can be accessed at the following link: http://www.gst.customs.gov.my/portal/page/portal/MYGSET

Sarawak State Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2010

The Sarawak State Entrepreneur of the Year Awards ("EOYS") is organised by the Ministry of Industrial Development Sarawak in association with Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry ("SCCI") and Ernst & Young. EOYS was first launched in 2004 and is a prestigious Awards Programme held annually to honour and acknowledge exceptional entrepreneurial talent and leadership.

Download Awards Programme Information and Nomination Form

Registration of Kiln Dryers and trained KD Operators

STA have been informed by the National Plant Protection Organisation for Malaysia, in this case the Plant Protection and Quarantine Division, Department of Agriculture, Kuala Lumpur that with effect from 1 September 2010, all logs, sawn timber and timber products imported into Malaysia must either be fumigated or kiln dried, where applicable.

This ruling also applies to logs, sawn timber and timber products exported from Sarawak to Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia. Exporters are reminded to bring along the import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture from the region they are from (either Sabah or Peninsular Malaysia) when applying for phytosanitary certificate from the local Plant Protection and Quarantine Branch in Sarawak. This document will be required by staff from the Plant Protection and Quarantine Division when you clear your sawn timber and timber products at the destination port.

As kiln drying is accepted as an alternative treatment for sawn timber for exports to Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, the Association is working with the relevant Forestry Agencies and the Department of Agriculture Sarawak to come up with a self-regulating system where companies with trained operators and kiln dryers registered with the Department of Agriculture can get the phytosanitary certificate issued automatically. However, companies will be deregistered if found to be not complying to the guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture. Please note this system may also be acceptable as an alternative to fumigation in some other countries.

As this requirement is going to be effective from 1 September 2010 for Malaysia, the Department of Agriculture will give priority in the registration exercise to member companies who are exporting sawn timber and timber products to Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and other countries requiring treatment of the sawn timber.

STA would be most grateful if you could complete the Reply Slip and return it to STA Secretariat by Friday, 3 September 2010.

Import Permit for Wood & Wood Products

STA have received a letter from Federal Department of Agriculture (DoA) informing us of the types of wood & wood products that requires Import Permit issued by DOA. Download the list of wood & wood products here.

As advised by DoA, the list will be updated from time to time.

Press Release

Forestry Agency of Japan: Timber and timber products from Sarawak are from legal sources. Read More

Bank Guarantee for Foreign Workers required by Department of Labour Sarawak

STA Secretariat was given to understand verbally that Bank Guarantee for foreign workers will no longer be required by Department of Labour Sarawak when applying for AP and renewal of Labour Licence.

STA also understand that the Department of Labour Sarawak will not issue a circular on this but has given verbal assurance that the Department of Labour Sarawak will inform companies directly when they apply for AP or renew their Labour Licence.

Press Release

Alleged Sexual Abuse of Penan Women and Girls. Read More

Press Release

Daily wage for General Workers from Indonesia. Read More

Invitation to be Sponsoring Employers under PSMB Apprenticeship Scheme

STA have received a circular from Human Resource Development Berhad/Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) inviting employers to participate as sponsoring employers under PSMB Apprenticeship Scheme.
 
Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) has implemented seven apprenticeship schemes since 1996, namely:
 
(a)   Mechatronics;
(b)   Hotel Industry;
(c)   Wood Based Industry (Furniture);
(d)   Plastics Injection Moulding;
(e)   Tool and Die Maker (Mould);
(f)    Tool and Die Maker (Press Tool); and
(g)   Industrial Sewing Machine Technician
 
The Apprenticeship Scheme was implemented with the objective of increasing the supply of skilled workers for industries in the manufacturing and services sector.
 
Under the existing terms and conditions of the Apprenticeship Scheme, apprentices’ course fees are borne by the Government while their monthly allowances during the off-the-job and on-the-job components are borne by sponsoring employers from their levy accounts.  Due to the exemption of HRD levy granted to the textile, electrical and electronics industries for 6 months with effect from 1 February 2009 and reduction in the rate of HRD levy by 50% from 1% to 0.5% to other industries for the period 1 April 2009 until 31 March 2011, for a period of 2 years, apprentices’ monthly allowances will be borne by PSMB beginning June 2010 or until the allocation has been fully utilised, which ever is the earlier.
 
This is to continuously assist employers in the supply of skilled workers required by industries despite having insufficient levy balance.
 
1.    TRAINING CONCEPT
 
       1.1   The Apprenticeship Scheme comprises off-the-job and on-the-job components, which is a combination of theoretical and practical training at approved training
              centres with an emphasis on practical training and structured on-the-job training at the premises of sponsoring employers to reinforce the theoretical concepts                learnt.
 
       1.2   The duration of training ranges from 3 months to 16 months, depending on the type of apprenticeship schemes.
 
       1.3   Upon the successful completion of training, apprentices will be awarded the Malaysian Skills Certificate Level 1 and 2 by the Department of Skills Development.
 
       1.4   The course fee will be borne by the Government while apprentices’ allowances, which ranges from RM350 to RM450 per month during the off-the-job and on-the-               job components will be borne by PSMB.  Sponsoring employers are however required to pay for apprentices’ insurance and consumable training materials.
 
       1.5   Selections of apprentices will be based on interviews conducted by PSMB and sponsoring employers in collaboration with training providers.
  
       1.6   Sponsoring employers are required to employ their sponsoring apprentices on a full-time basis upon the completion of the apprenticeship programmes.
 
2.    APPLICATION PROCEDURE
 
       2.1   Application form to be a sponsoring employer can be downloaded from PSMB’s website at www.hrdf.com.my.  Only two apprentices are allowed per sponsoring                employer.
 
       2.2   Successful sponsoring employers are required to sign an agreement with PSMB on the employment of the sponsoring apprentices upon the completion of their                training.
 
Employers are encouraged to take this opportunity to be sponsoring employers without having to finance apprentices’ monthly allowances during the off-the-job and on-the-job components.
 
For further clarification and assistance on the matter, please contact PSMB Customer Service Call Centre at 03-20964600 or 03-20964819.

Metric Units required on Lacey Act Declaration

The Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) informed us that mertic units (kilograms, meters, square meters, etc) are now required on Lacey Act Declarations. The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will no longer accept counts of items (pieces, boxes, etc) as valid units of measure, which supposed to take effect from 1 May 2010. Due to the response from the industry, APHIS agreed to defer the implementation of this requirement until 1 July 2010 to allow industry to make needed changes to declaration procedures. For details, please refer to the attached Notification from APHIS.

As reported earlier, importers of products made from plants and plant materials such as wooden frames, plywood, veneered panels, kitchenware (furniture will be included after September 2010) are required to declare the plant contents in the products using Form PPQ-505.

STIDC e-IPR System

The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) has developed online monthly Industrial Production Return (e-IPR) system to facilitate electronic submission and management of monthly industrial production data for the timber industry in Sarawak. Effective 7 June 2010, members are advised to submit monthly production return using e-IPR System accessing through http://www.sarawaktimber.org.my

To register as User to the e-IPR System and for more information, please contact the following personnel at STIDC Kuching:-

Madam Malaya Panggai
Tel: 082-443477 ext 3084
Fax: 082-442691
e-mail: malaya@pusaka.gov.my

2010 & 2011 Council Members

Changes of Birthday Celebration Date for TYT Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak for 2010

STA were informed by Department of Labour Sarawak Ministry of Human Resources that the Sate Government has declared 16 October 2010 as a gazetted public holiday in Sarawak to celebrate the 89th Birthday of TYT Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak. The change was made because the original date of 11 September 2010 is the 2nd day of Hari Raya Puasa/Aidilfitri Celebration.

STA and STA Training Sdn Bhd Vacancies

The Sarawak Timber Association (STA) currently has about 600 member companies. A small team of dedicated staff in the Secretariat executes the work of the Association under the STA Council. Both the Association and one of its wholly-owned companies, STA Training Sdn Bhd. (STAT), are now looking for suitable candidates to fill the following vacant positions. Read More

STA Enterprises Sdn Bhd Vacancy

STA Enterprises Sdn Bhd is a wholly-owned company of the Sarawak Timber Association which owns and manages Wisma STA. The Company is seeking a suitable individual to fill the following vacant position. Read More

Importation of Logs and Lumber/Sawn Timber
STA have received a letter from Department of Agriculture ref No PQS 13/v10/(62) dated 11 January 2010 informing us that the Government through the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) Malaysia has decided that all importation of logs and lumber/sawn timber from ALL countries must be accompanied with (i) Import Permit from Department of Agriculture Malaysia and (ii) Phytosanitary Certificate from the exporting country with effect from 3 November 2009 . Please refer to Appendices A & B for details.

In view of the appeal from relevant parties, a 'grace period' of 6 months is given, ie enforcement of this requirement will be from 1 May 2010. However the current treatment as specified in Appendix A is required for consignments imported during this grace period.

Members are advised to comply to this new requirement so as to protect the timber industry from dangerous pests and diseases.

For further information, please contact Department of Agriculture at 082-255845 / 082-414712.

STA Members Directory Questionnaire 2010
We are now in the process of updating our STA Members Directory 2010. The directory will contain members listing and their relevant business activities and products sold or manufactured. Other than information on Sarawak Timber Association and our members, there will be other useful information such as relevant government departments and other contact details.

The STA Members Directory will be distributed at International Conferences, during Trade Missions overseas and to visitors to the Association. For more information, kindly contact Mr. Paul Ajah (Member Services Officer) at 082 332 222. Please download the PDF version of the questionnaire.

Goods and Services Tax Bill 2009
The Goods and Services Tax Bill 2009 ("the Bill") was tabled for first reading in the last sitting of the Parliament in December 2009.The implementation of goods and services tax is expected to take place 18 months after the second reading of the Bill in the Parliament in March 2010.

A copy of the Bill can be obtained from the Parliament’s official website at http://www.parlimen.gov.my/billindexbi/pdf/DR372009E.pdf.

The Malaysian Grading Rules for Sawn Hardwood Timber 2009 Edition

STA have received the Timber Grading Circular No 1/2009 from the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) on 5 January 2010 informing us that the rules for grading Malaysian sawn hardwood timber has been revised and it is now referred to as 'The Malaysian Grading Rules for Sawn Hardwood Timber (MGR) 2009 Edition'.

The Circular also stated that the MGR 2009 Edition is to be used as the reference to grade all sawn hardwood timber in Sarawak with effective from 2 January 2010.  The MGR 2009 Edition is available for sale at any STIDC offices throughout the State, at RM25.00 per copy.