Planting programme in Sabah paves the way for sustainable raw material supply chain

KOTA KINABALU: Yayasan Sabah Group and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) are embarking on an effort to establish sustainable raw material supply chains.

This follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the group, through the Sabah Handicraft Centre (PKS), with MTIB here on Monday (Dec 5).

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir (pic) said the initiative involved a planting programme, organised by PKS under the Sabah Natives Special Programme (PKAN).

It is expected to ease demand for Sabah's native forest as a source of raw materials and ensure the long-term viability of raw materials such as bamboo and rattan, essential commodities in the handicraft industry, he added.

“The planting programme will be carried out at the Yayasan Sabah Concession Area with the involvement of local communities,” he said.

According to Abidin, the group has established cooperative relationships with government agencies such as the Sabah Forestry Department, as well as higher education institutions.

It also has working relations with the state Lands and Surveys Department, Agriculture Department and Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Sabah branch) to provide expertise and high-value strategic advisory.

He said MTIB will provide technical consultation on species selection, planting techniques, fertilisation and treatment as well as conduct studies and research on materials, products and the equipment needed.

“It will also issue Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 2 based on Recognition of Prior Achievement (PPT) to participants from small and medium enterprises (SME),” Abidin added.

He said Sabah’s abundant natural resources must be properly utilised in a sustainable manner while generating revenue and economic growth for the state.

He added that Yayasan Sabah Group will continue its efforts to develop sustainable initiatives for the empowerment of entrepreneurs.

Signing on behalf of Yayasan Sabah Group was Yayasan Sabah director and Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd executive chairman Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar Yusof Khan Bahadar with Yayasan Sabah corporate secretary Hanafiah Diman as witness.

MTIB was represented by director-general Kamaruzaman Othman with Wood Industry Skills Development Centre director Farydatul Nazly Mohd Zin as witness.