Strengthening Industry, Shaping The Future
6 August 2026
The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) today welcomed the Sarawak Timber Association (STA) and the Sarawak Furniture Industry Association (SFIA) for an engagement session held at STIDC Headquarters, Wisma Sumber Alam, Petra Jaya, aimed at strengthening collaboration and charting the future of Sarawak’s timber industry.
In his welcoming remarks, STIDC General Manager YBhg. Datu Haji Zainal Abidin bin Haji Abdullah highlighted the importance of stronger partnerships between the government and industry in achieving the aspirations of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
He emphasised the need to accelerate the production of high-value timber products, including furniture, engineered wood, bamboo-based products and biomass, while encouraging the industry to embrace the 3R approach (Revisit, Rethink and Recharge) in preparation for Sarawak’s 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) 2026–2030.
During the engagement, representatives from STA and SFIA shared key industry concerns and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with STIDC to enhance the competitiveness of Sarawak’s timber and furniture industries. Among the priority issues raised were the increasing costs of recruiting foreign workers, sourcing raw materials and logistics, which continue to affect the industry’s competitiveness and operational efficiency.
The associations also proposed the organisation of a dedicated workshop involving relevant stakeholders to examine these challenges in greater detail, identify practical solutions and develop recommendations for further consideration by the State Government and relevant authorities. The workshop is intended to serve as a platform for formulating implementable strategies that will strengthen the industry’s long-term growth and competitiveness.
The engagement session also provided STIDC with an opportunity to gather valuable feedback and exchange ideas with industry stakeholders, reinforcing a shared commitment to building a more resilient, competitive and sustainable timber industry in Sarawak.
Among those in attendance were Nicholas Andrew Lissem, Senior Assistant General Manager (Licensing, Planning and Industrial Development); Omar Ali Sepian, Assistant General Manager (SME & Entrepreneur Development), together with STIDC’s senior management and officers; Annie Ting, Chief Executive Officer of STA; and Leo Chiang Kok Sze, President of SFIA.
