Published on 21 May 2024

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT TRAINING 26-27 JUNE 2024

Starting from 1 July 2024, it is mandatory for forestry sector in Sarawak to implement Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA) under the Natural Resources and Environmental (Audit) Rules, 2008 (Rules) as directed by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), to encourage self-regulation in environmental management.   

STA Training Sdn Bhd, the training arm of STA in-collaboration with NREB and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) are organising an Environmental Quality Management (EQM) Training from 26 to 27 June 2024 at Wisma STA, Kuching to support water quality monitoring in the ECA report and to empower personnel in the forestry sector with the requisite knowledge and skills in complying with the Rules. For more information and registration, kindly scan the QR Code or contact Mr Wong How Chu at 082- 332222 or 019-4594668.

Published on 16 May 2024

UNIMAS Students’ Visit to STA

Sarawak Timber Association (STA) welcomed the visit by a group of eighteen (18) second year students headed by Professor Dr. Wong Sin Yeng, undergoing the course of Wood Science and Technology from the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) on 16 May 2024.   

The objectives of the visit were to enable the students to learn about the roles and functions of STA and attain a better understanding and knowledge of the forestry and timber industry in Sarawak as part and parcel of their wood science and technology course in UNIMAS.   

The visit ended with a guided tour of STA Exhibition Centre located at Level 4 of Wisma STA.  The Centre serves as an education and promotion focal point, providing information in relation to the forestry and timber industry in Sarawak using state-of-the-art technologies such as touch screen kiosks and multimedia presentation screens.

Published on 29 Apr 2024

FULLY DIGITALISED STA REVIEW

Printed copies of STA Review will no longer be available starting with March 2024 issue. Therefore, complete copies of STA Review will only be available in digital format here.

With the phasing out of printed copies, subscriptions will no longer be required.

Published on 08 Apr 2024

Reduced Impact Logging Handbooks

The Forest Department Sarawak and STA have produced seven (7) Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) Handbooks to facilitate ground crews in carrying out specific tasks related to the implementation of RIL. These handbooks are based on the RIL Guidelines for ground-based timber harvesting in the State of Sarawak. Each handbook is available in English and translated into Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin, making them multilingual and ensuring accessibility for a wider audience. The handbooks were launched during the International Conference on Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests on 6 March 2024, at the Hilton Hotel, Kuching.

You may download the handbooks below: 
Handbook 1 - Survey Crew [Survey and demarcation of boundaries (licence coupe, blocks and protection areas)] 
Handbook 2 – Survey Crew (Pre-felling inventory; survey, demarcation and mapping of skid trail alignment) 
Handbook 3 – Tree Feller 
Handbook 4 – Tractor Operator and Hookman 
Handbook 5 – Road Construction Crew 
Handbook 6 – RIL Supervisor 
Handbook 7 - Person in-charge on Safety & Health

Published on 27 Mar 2024

Second Workshop on High Conservation Value Screening for Permanent Forest Estates in Sarawak

The second Workshop on High Conservation Value (HCV) Screening for Permanent Forest Estates (PFE) in Sarawak was organised by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia), in collaboration with the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) and the Sarawak Timber Association (STA). It took place from 19 – 21 March 2024, at Wisma STA Kuching, with STA hosting the venue.

The Workshop was a continuation from the previous workshop held in July 2023.  Representatives from STA members who are attached with their Forest Management Units, the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA), WWF-Malaysia, and FDS actively participated and shared their expertise and insights during the 3-day Workshop. The workshop's primary objective was to assess the presence of High Conservation Values (HCVs) in PFE and its surrounding areas throughout Sarawak. In addition, the Workshop aimed to identify potential threats to these HCVs and prioritize the values most at risk.

The Workshop was facilitated by Mr Neville Kemp from HCV Network.

Published on 07 Mar 2024

International Conference ON SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT of tropical forests

The Sarawak Timber Association (STA) hosted the International Conference on Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests, coinciding with the celebration of the International Day of Forests.    

The conference was organised in collaboration with the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) and WWF-Malaysia and supported by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). It served as a platform for international and national experts, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the crucial interconnection between forestry and sustainable development towards establishing a comprehensive strategy that was key to conserving the long-term vitality of tropical forests. The two-day event (6-7 March) at Hilton Kuching received an overwhelming response from approximately 200 participants representing multi-level stakeholders, indicating their interest in sustainable forest management (SFM) and conserving the tropical forests.    

Esteemed leaders from the timber industry, government bodies, and conservation organizations, including STA Chairman Dato Henry Lau, FDS Director Datu Haji Hamden Bin Haji Mohammad, and WWF-Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, spoke at the conference, setting the scene for collective action for sustainable forests. Their speeches underscored the paramount importance of tropical forests in conserving biodiversity, generating economic benefits, and fostering positive social aspects through responsible and sustainable forest management. Recognising the multifaceted contributions of tropical forests, their insights illuminated how collaborative efforts could shape policies and initiatives to simultaneously advance environmental sustainability, economic well-being, and social welfare.    

ITTO Executive Director Ms. Sheam Satkuru delivered a keynote address titled "Sustainable Tropical Forestry Supply Chains and Investment – A Pathway for A Sustainable Future". In her address, she shed light on significant global shifts in tropical wood production, consumption, and trade, and their implications for SFM. She also delved into the potential of sustainable tropical forestry in enhancing livelihoods, conserving forests, and providing multiple benefits, drawing on examples and various initiatives.    

The organisers also took the opportunity to launch the Handbooks of Reduced Impact Logging Guideline, a joint project between FDS and STA, and High Conservation Value Training Modules, which were a joint publication by WWF-Malaysia, STA, FDS, and Sarawak Forestry Corporation.    

The conference had four sessions to deliberate on Valuing our Forest - Future Directions and Policies; Climate-smart SFM - What Are The Options?; Finance, Market, and Branding - Building Opportunities; and Collaboration and Partnership - Research, Risk, and Safeguards. Moderators and speakers who were leaders in their fields of academia and industry deliberated on these four topics.    

The E-booklet, presentation for setting the scene, keynote speech, presentation slide by speakers and closing presentation can be downloaded by clicking here or scanning the QR code.