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market share is lost, producers experience reduced incomes The focus will be on developing an effective methodology
potentially increasing poverty which in turn may contribute for the evaluation and implementation of essential forest
to an increase in deforestation through forest clearing as a ecosystem functions and services to promote SFM and
means of survival”. conservation as outlined in the global biodiversity frameworks

under United Nations.
f) Timber products a more sustainable material. Other areas of cooperation covered under the MoU include
“The rise of alternative materials like plastics, steel, aluminium, collaboration in forest ecosystem and biodiversity conservation,
composites and engineered wood products has made them establishing a standard research methodology for Permanent
an increasingly popular choice for consumers. This poses a Sample Plot networks and joint publication of fndings together
threat to the timber industry as it could reduce the demand with workshops, conferences and training.
for wood products. More efforts are required to promote the
utilisation of wood as a sustainable materials in alignment Effectiveness of certifcation policing questioned
with the concept of a circular bio-economy”. A recent report claims there are weaknesses in the Malaysian

Timber Certifcation Scheme (MTCS) which, the report says,
Understanding forest ecosystem functions to promote casts doubt on the effectiveness of the Malaysian Timber
SFM Certifcation Council (MTCC) and the PEFC in guaranteeing
The Sarawak Forest Department and the National Institute standards and enforcing compliance.
for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Japan have signed a It is claimed in the report that SIRIM, the accrediting
memorandum of understanding on collaboration in research and auditing body, does not have a clear limit on how many
activities for sustainable forest management. issues of non-compliance lead to suspension or revocation