Message from the Director

Stepping into the year 2013, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and to extend my gratitude to the work well-done before moving along to plan and chart our coming new year. 2012 was an eventful and fruitful year for the Forest Department Sarawak and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the dedicated staff who put in more contributions than they take out of life in many ways and especially for their jobs.

In 2012, a MoU was signed between the state government of Sarawak and the Japan Research Consortium for Tropical Forests in Sarawak, which consists of a number of Japanese universities and research institutions, to facilitate and collaborate in developing research programmes for the tropical forests in the State. Meanwhile, the Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative organised a scientific expedition to Ulu Mentawai, Gunung Mulu National Park in September to carry out biodiversity studies in the area. In November 2012, the Department took part in the 48^th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) meeting headed by YAB Pehin Sri the Chief Minister of Sarawak in Yokohama, Japan.  A dialogue on timber trade with Japanese importers was also held in Yokohama, Japan. Besides that, participation was fruitful in various events including the Special ASEAN Meeting on Forestry and 2^nd Special Technical Meeting on ASEAN – Republic of Korea (ROK) Forest Cooperation held in Kuching in August.

On the other hand, the Department recorded an estimated  log production of  9.5 million m³ with a total revenue RM694 million in 2012, as compared to that of  9.6 million m³ with a total revenue RM685 million in 2011.  

As we shift our perspectives and attention back to the new year, there are still many challenges and obstacles to overcome but I am confident that by working together, we can face them and turn them into stepping stones and new opportunities to improve our capabilities and skills. Once again, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all of you for your support and help in achieving significant accomplishments in 2012. It is hoped that the Department will continue to improve and develop into a true agency of excellence by playing its role in sustainably managing and developing tropical forest and resources in the State.

With this, I would like to wish everyone and your family a prosperous New Year with good health and happiness all year long!

Datu Haji Ali Yusop

Director of Forests Sarawak