The Sabah Timber Industries Association, based in Sabah, Malaysia, asked the local state government to consider a total ban on log exports from natural forests, according to Fordaq.
The STIA wants to make sure that the local timber industry is fully utilizing the timber resource. Its president, James Hwong, told Daily Express, the local newspaper, that local processors had the production capacity to mill the export grade logs while paying the international market price for them.
Sabah forestry officials believe the ban is unnecessary. Sam Mannan, the state forestry director, said domestic mills consumed 86 percent to 91 percent of Sabah’s natural forest log production.
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