Kuala lumpur: Malaysia's timber industry needs to shift from volume-based production to producing high-value products to increase competitiveness and build a Malaysian brand with its own identity, said Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. She emphasized the importance of this transition as Malaysian timber products have already penetrated major markets including the United States, Japan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and various Asian countries.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Noraini stressed that the future of the industry cannot depend solely on production volume. She urged the industry to focus on producing higher-value products, improving designs, adopting technology, and building distinctive Malaysian brands capable of competing globally. This call was made during her speech at the launch of the Merdekapenter Programme.
Noraini mentioned that the government, through its agencies such as the Malaysian Timber Industry Board, the Malaysian Timber Council, and the Malaysian Timber Certification Council, will support the industry in enhancing productivity, human capital development, market expansion, and sustainability practices. She highlighted that the value of timber is not just in the raw material but is significantly enhanced through craftsmanship, ideas, design, and the stories behind the products.
Furthermore, Noraini pointed out that there is an increasing demand for products derived from responsible and traceable sources that meet sustainability requirements. She emphasized that the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) provides an independent assessment of forest management and the timber product supply chain. Since 2009, MTCS has been recognized by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
She also noted that MTCS is the first tropical timber certification scheme in the Asia-Pacific region to receive such recognition. Currently, nearly 5.9 million hectares of Malaysia's forests, equivalent to over 32 percent of the country's total forest area, have been certified under the MTCS. Additionally, 365 companies nationwide hold MTCS/PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
Noraini concluded by noting that certification, resource efficiency, and innovation are increasingly important for gaining customer confidence and accessing more challenging markets. "Sustainability is not a slogan; it has to be reflected in every action, from how materials are sourced, products are designed, and waste is managed, to the choices made by consumers," she added.