Awang Tengah poses on a mock motorcycle display as other guests look on, in a photo-call taken during the STIDC event. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (April 17): A proposed furniture park aimed at strengthening Sarawak’s timber industry and attracting investment will be developed here before expanding to Tanjung Manis, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said the project, spearheaded by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), has been approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan and will provide a conducive, well-equipped environment to support industry growth.
“We want to create a park that meets investors’ needs, with sufficient facilities in place,” he said after attending the STIDC Aidilfitri gathering and officiating the opening of the new lobby at Wisma Sumber Alam in Petra Jaya.
The initiative is part of the state government’s broader push to strengthen downstream activities in the timber industry, focusing on high-value products such as furniture and engineered wood.
Awang Tengah said the park is expected to expand Sarawak’s furniture industry, which remains largely small-scale and family-based despite abundant resources from both natural and planted forests.
He added that efforts are also underway to utilise timber waste for products such as pallets, supporting biomass energy development.
Sarawak’s recorded timber and timber product exports valued at about RM2.5 billion last year, mainly comprising plywood and veneer, with key markets including Japan, India and Korea.
He noted that the state allows the importation of certain timber types to enhance product value in line with market needs, and is also exploring bamboo as an alternative material with strong potential in furniture production.
Also present was State Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
