By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, May 17: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Abang Johari Tun Openg is urging domestic timber industry players to think outside the box to capitalise on Sarawak’s natural resources.
As far as he is concerned, a bamboo badminton racquet handle epitomises this, as it would not only transform how the game is played, but it would also be a novel application of bamboo.
“The idea sets in as there are other products that could be made out of bamboo,” he said in his speech when officiating at the closing of the International Conference of Engineered Wood Sarawak 2023 here today.
The conference, held from May 16 to May 17, aims to foster continuous strides in promoting engineered wood among stakeholders and industry players in Sarawak.
Abang Johari emphasised that the development of planted forests must be enhanced to produce high yield and good quality harvests.
He added that it needs to be accelerated for the domestic timber industry downstream and to capitalise on fast-growing bamboo plants as new resources.
“Sarawak is also rich in biomass resources, particularly, rubber wood, bamboo, sago and oil palm trunks and acacia mangium.
Abang Johari said these resources are good for high-value products and solid bio-fuel such as charcoal, pellets and activated carbon.
“It could substitute for energy resources from petroleum beside mitigating greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Permanent Secretary Datu Zaidi Mahdi and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) General Manager Datu Hashim Bojet. — DayakDaily
