By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 24: The Sarawak Forest Department has enhanced the Sarawak Logs Tracking and Forest Revenue System (REVLOG) by adding a new module known as Forest Licensee Portal that allows timber licensees to submit applications related to log supply chain activities which came into effect on April 1, 2023.
Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said this provides benefits to the department and licensees, especially in terms of enhancing productivity, operation efficiency, cutting cost and data sharing among agencies.
He emphasised that the Sarawak government through the Forest Department is committed in ensuring the forest management system in Sarawak is enhanced and developed in line with the advancement of technology and digital information.
“REVLOG is an online application system to manage forest and monitor logging activities from issuance of license until post-logging activities.
“It is also a system used to monitor the movement of logs along the log supply chain and for the collection of forest tax revenue,” he explained when delivering his winding-up speech in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today.
To ensure the effectiveness of forest management in Sarawak meets international standards, the Deputy Premier pointed out that all long-term forest licensed areas must obtain their respective certifications by 2025.
Awang Tengah reminded that achieving forest certification status is important to prove that forest management practiced in Sarawak meets international standards and that the wood products produced can be marketed competitively in the global market.
“The effectiveness of forest management is best measured by compliance with the criteria and indicators set by an international standard such as Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) which is also affiliated with the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) centered in Switzerland and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in German,” he said.
Awang Tengah said that so far the total forest area that has been certified is 1.88 million hectares, involving 20 Forest Management Units (FMUs) with an area of 1.78 million hectares, and seven Forest Farm Management Units (FPMU) with an area of 97,966 hectares. — DayakDaily
