Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the trend of logs production and export in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. The trend of logs production in this study referred only to hill and peat swamp forest logs production with their species detailed production. The trend of logs export was divided into selected species and destinations. The study covers the analysis of logs production and export for a period of ten years from 1997 to 2006. Data on logs production and export were collected from statistics published by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (Statistic of Sarawak Timber and Timber Product), Sarawak Timber Association (Sarawak Timber Association Review), Hardwood Timber Sdn. Bhd (Warta) and Malaysia Timber Industry Board (MTIB). The trend of logs production and export were analyzed using regression model and times series. In addition, the relation between hill and peat swamp forest logs production with their species and trend of logs export by selected species and destinations were conducted using simple regression model and descriptive statistical analysis. The results depicted that volume of logs production and export by four major logs producer (Sibu division, Bintulu division, Miri division and Kuching division) for hill and peat swamp forest showed a declining trend. Result showed that Sibu division is the major logs producer for hill forest while Bintulu division is the major producer of logs produced for the peat swamp forest. The main species produced by both hill and peat swamp forest is Meranti (Shorea spp.). Eight selected species for the exported logs were Meranti, Kapur, Keruing, Selangan Batu. Sepetir, Nyatoh, Mersawa and Bindang. Among the eight selected species, Meranti is the main logs volume exported by Sarawak. The eight major logs export destinations by Sarawak were Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, India, Thailand and Singapore. The entire eight destinations showed decreasing trend except India. As a conclusion, the trend of logs production and export in the state of Sarawak for 1997 to 2006 showed a declining trend.
Highlights
Malaysia is a tropical country with total land area approximately 32.9 million hectares
The overall decrease in volume of logs production was due to the sustainable forest management which was more sought by the Sarawak government after the financial crisis
The trend of logs export in Sarawak declined as the volume of log export were directly proportional with the volume of log production and the importer countries reduced the demand of logs volume
Summary
Malaysia is a tropical country with total land area approximately 32.9 million hectares. Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia with an area of 124,449.51 square kilometres, or 37.5% of the country’s total area. It is located between latitude 0° 50’ N and 5° N and longitude 109° 36’ E and 115° 40’ E. Sarawak’s forestry and the forest industry play a significant part in its socio-economic development. As a naturally renewable resource, the state’s forests will, in the years to come, continue to rake in revenue and foreign exchange earnings for the state and to provide employment opportunities for the people. The forest-based industries in Sarawak generate economic activities by providing added income and employment opportunities through downstream processing and the development of value-added products for the domestic and export markets. The contribution of the timber industries is fluctuated in trend due to forest policies in development of timber trade and wood based industries, and the licensing system applying in the states (Pakhriazad et al, 2006; Pakhriazad and Mohd Hasmadi, 2009)
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