KUCHING, May 20 : Various benefits will be enjoyed by licensees and the local community through establishment of the Forest Management Unit (FMU).
Hence, greater contribution will be channeled by timber concession owners through their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) that involves provisions of basic facilities such as upgrading and maintaining roads for the local community, under the implementation of the Forest Certification Management Policy.
Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datu Len Talif Salleh that the current logging roads constructed by license holders are deemed unsafe for public use as it does not meet the requirement of the safety standard.
“Additionally, the FMU also allows licensees to market timber and wood-based products produced in their respective areas without any restrictions to the international market.
“The FMU also proves that the licensees has met various criteria and indicators set according to the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) standards which are recognized internationally under the Programme for Endorsement for Forest Certification,” said the Kuala Rajang assemblyman when replying to question by Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau during the question-and-answer (Q&A) session in State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
He added that the engagement through community participation would be increased through various program in forest certification namely; Awareness Program for Forest Management Certification, Training for Reduced Impact Logging and Training on High Conservation Value. –TVS
