BY ROZANNA LATIFF – 21 OKTOBER 2014 @ 4:49 PM
CYBERJAYA: The design and branding of Malaysia’s wood and timber products must be given attention so that the country would be known worldwide for the quality of products offered here, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
The deputy prime minister said Malaysia’s natural resources, with its variety of wood and timber, as well as other alternatives such as bio-composite materials, gave the country an advantage in the global timber industry.
“As such, I want to see this industry move quickly and grow so that it can maximise its contribution to the national income,” he said when launching the ‘Chengal House’ at Sejati Residences here.
Chengal House is the first commercial property development of its kind in Malaysia to be built using reclaimed chengal timber.
The project by Paramount Corporation Berhad was carried out in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board.
The three-way partnership was formalised with the signing of a memorandum of understanding, witnessed by Muhyiddin at the launch.
In his speech, Muhyiddin said the government’s economic initiatives were not only aimed at spurring development, but also included natural resources management and the preservation of local flora and fauna.
“Malaysia, as a major producer and exporter of tropical timber has made tremendous efforts to ensure its products are sourced from sustainably sourced forests.
“This is also where the importance of good forestry management practices come in, to ensure the enforcement of guidelines, laws and policies in relation to Malaysia’s natural resources.”
