SEPTEMBER 2012

A Treasure Forever

Malaysia values her forests for their significant socio-economic and environmental
functions. Buyers are assured that Malaysian timber products are manufactured
from raw materials sourced from sustainably managed forests.

The Malaysian Timber Council was established in 1992 to promote Malaysian

timber-based products globally. The Council strives to ensure the continued
development of the Malaysian timber industry by improving its competitiveness,
enhancing market access and creating trade opportunities.

MALAYSIA:
FORESTRY &
ENVIRONMENT
(
)
FACTS & FIGURES

MTC HEAD OFFICE

18th Floor, Menara PGRM
No. 8, Jalan Pudu Ulu, Cheras
56100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
T + 60 3 9281 1999
F + 60 3 9282 8999
E council@mtc.com.my
MTC LONDON
24, Old Queen Street
London SW1H 9HP
United Kingdom
T +44 207 222 8188
F +44 207 222 8884
E council@mtc.co.uk
MTC GUANGZHOU
2018, Citic Plaza
No. 233, North Tianhe Road
Tianhe District
510613 Guangzhou City
P.R. China
E tan@mtc.com.my
MTC DUBAI
Suite 12A02, 13th Floor
HDS Tower, F Cluster
Jumeirah Lake Towers
Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
T +971 4 4279 823
F +971 4 4508 233
E info@mtcdxb.ae

www.mtc.com.my

WOOD:

NATURALLY

CONTENTS
GO

BETTER
CARBON
SEQUESTRATION

Wood and CO2 are natural partners. Trees absorb

CO2 as they grow, so the more forests we plant, the
more CO2 they can absorb. Timber production
significantly contributes to reducing carbon
emissions by being part of the carbon cycle that
involves trees absorbing CO2 from the air, releasing
oxygen and storing the carbon in the wood.
Harvesting mature trees open up the forest canopy,
enabling younger trees to grow and absorb more
carbon from the atmosphere.

CARBON
LOCKING
The CO2 that is absorbed remains imprisoned in
the wood. Wood-based material contributes to the
continued imprisonment of the CO2. Building with
wood causes much lower CO2 emissions than
building with conventional construction materials.
No other mainstream structural material does this.

ENERGY
EFFICIENT

Timber is an excellent insulator. Through

insulation, heat exchange can be slowed down.
Therefore, a timber building will require less
energy to heat or cool. In the tropics, this can be
translated into using less energy for air-conditioning.

RECYCLABLE

When a building is demolished or renovated,

the recovered timber can be reused in another
project. The recovered timber can be resized
and reshaped to cater to another building.
Recycling is a wise conservation option as it
will reduce pressure on the supply of timber.

SUSTAINABLE

Timber is the only truly renewable building

material. New trees can be planted to replace
those that were harvested, thus ensuring a
perpetual supply of timber. Moreover, the
planting and harvesting of trees contribute
positively to the health of the environment as
this cycle of absorb and lock will reduce the
amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

Total Forested Area in Malaysia 2010

Permanent Reserved Forests in Malaysia 2010

Distribution of Forested Area in Malaysia 2010

Forested Land in Selected Countries 2010

Distribution of World Forest Area by Region 2010

Percentage of World Forest Area by Region 2010

Forest Area by Selected Countries 2010

World Production of Industrial Roundwood 2000, 2005, 2010

10 World Production of Industrial Roundwood 2000, 2005, 2010

11 World Production of Industrial Roundwood 2010
12 Comparative Production of Industrial Roundwood 2005 & 2010
13 Energy Usage by Wood and Wood Substitutes
14 Wood the Most Environmentally Friendly Material
15 World Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Region 1990 - 2035
16 Energy Use by Sector in Malaysia 1991 - 2009
17 Commercial Energy Supply in Malaysia 1991 - 2009
18 Population by Ethnic Group in Peninsular Malaysia 2011
19 Population by Ethnic Group in Sabah 2011
20 Population by Ethnic Group in Sarawak 2011
21 Certified Forest by Region 2011
22 Certified Forest Under Various Certification Schemes 2011
23 Key Elements in the Malaysian Criteria & Indicators (MC&I)
for Forest Management Certification
24 Developments in Timber Certification in Malaysia
25 Development of MC&I (Forest Plantations)
26 Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS)
28 Preventive Actions Against Illegal Logging in Malaysia

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

TOTAL FORESTED
AREA IN
MALAYSIA 2010

PERMANENT
RESERVED FORESTS IN
MALAYSIA 2010
6.09

Sarawak

4.92

Peninsular Malaysia

3.60

Sabah

(MILLION HECTARES)
PERMANENT RESERVED FORESTS (MILLION HECTARES)

LAND AREA

FORESTED AREA

PERCENTAGE *

13.18

5.85

44.4

Peninsular Malaysia

4.92

7.48

4.40

58.8

Sabah

3.60

Sarawak

12.32

8.23

66.8

Sarawak

6.09

Malaysia

32.98

18.48

56.0

Malaysia

14.61

REGION
Peninsular Malaysia
Sabah

REGION

NOTE:
* The percentage reflected does not include other tree crops, such as rubber, oil palm, cocoa and coconut.
Source: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia. (Data as at April 2010).

The tallest tropical tree in the world is the Yellow Meranti (Shorea faguetiana)
located in Tawau Hills Park, Sabah, Malaysia, which is 88.33 m tall as
recorded in 2007.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

Source: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia. (Data as at April 2010).

The largest tree in Malaysia is the Chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii), with a

circumference measuring 1.2 m.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

DISTRIBUTION OF
FORESTED AREA IN
MALAYSIA 2010

FORESTED LAND
IN SELECTED
COUNTRIES 2010

79.1%

Permanent Reserved Forests

(MILLION HECTARES)
REGION / COUNTRY
Africa

Cameroon

North America

United States of America

TOTAL FORESTED AREA

IN MALAYSIA

9.9%

National Parks, Wildlife

and Bird Sanctuaries

18.48

Million Hectares

South America

11.0%

Stateland and Alienated Forests

Brazil
Ecuador

Europe

Germany
United Kingdom
Netherlands

(MILLION HECTARES)

Asia

PERMANENT
RESERVED FORESTS

STATELAND AND
ALIENATED FORESTS

NATIONAL PARKS,
WILDLIFE AND
BIRD SANCTUARIES

Total

14.61

2.04

1.83

18.48

Percentage

79.1%

11.0%

9.9%

56.0%

TOTAL

Malaysia
Indonesia
China
India

Oceania

New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Australia

FORESTED LAND

PERCENTAGE
OF FORESTED
LAND AREA

47.27

19.92

42.1

916.19

304.02

33.2

832.51
27.68

519.52
9.87

62.4
35.7

34.88
24.25
3.40

11.08
2.88
0.37

31.8
11.9
10.9

32.86
181.16
942.53
297.31

20.46
94.43
206.86
68.43

62.3
52.1
21.9
23.0

26.77
45.29
768.23

8.27
28.73
149.30

30.9
63.4
19.4

LAND AREA*

NOTE:
* After deducting inland water areas.
Source: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia (Data as at April 2010).

Malaysia's rainforest are amongst the most species-rich type of vegetation in the
world. Many species are endemic, found nowhere else in the world: from the
mighty dipterocarp tree Keruing jarang (Dipterocarpus lamellatus), to the largest
pitcher plant Nepenthes rajah, and one of the smallest flowering plants, the orchid
Corybas comptus.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

Source: FAO, Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010.

The sap from the latex-bearing Jelutong (Dyera costulata) was used to make
chewing gum, until it was replaced by synthetics.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

DISTRIBUTION OF
WORLD FOREST AREA
BY REGION 2010

PERCENTAGE OF
WORLD FOREST AREA
BY REGION 2010
5%

Oceania

TOTAL FOREST
AREA
(MILLION
HECTARES)

25%

REGION

LAND AREA*
(MILLION
HECTARES)

Africa

2,974

674

23

17

Asia

3,091

593

19

15

Europe

2,215

1,005

45

25

North & Central America

2,135

705

33

17

849

191

23

1,746

864

49

21

Oceania
South America
World Total

13,010

4,032

PERCENTAGE
OF LAND AREA

31

PERCENTAGE OF
WORLD FOREST AREA

100

Europe

17%

North &
Central America

21%

17%

South America

Africa

15%
Asia

TOTAL WORLD FOREST

4,032

Million Hectares

NOTE:
* After deducting inland water areas.
Source: FAO, Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010.

Source: FAO, Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010.

The worlds largest stick insect, Baculcolonga kirbyi, is found in Borneo and
can grow to the length of a human forearm. A specimen in the Natural
History Museum in London has a body length of 32.8 cm. Its total length,
inclusive of its legs, has been measured at over 50 cm.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

The Great Cave of Niah in Sarawak, Malaysia, is the site of the discovery of
Southeast Asia's oldest human remains, dating from 40,000 years ago.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

WORLD PRODUCTION
OF INDUSTRIAL ROUNDWOOD
2000, 2005, 2010

FOREST AREA
BY SELECTED
COUNTRIES 2010
(MILLION HECTARES)
COUNTRY
Producer Country
Brazil
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand

Importer Country

Australia
Belgium
Canada
France
Germany
Switzerland
Netherlands
United Kingdom
United States of America
Italy
Japan
China
India

LAND AREA*

FOREST AREA

PERCENTAGE
OF FORESTED
LAND AREA

832.51
181.16
32.86
29.82
51.10

519.52
94.43
20.46
7.67
18.97

62.4
52.1
62.3
25.7
37.1

768.23
3.03
909.40
55.01
34.88
4.00
3.39
24.25
916.19
29.41
36.45
942.53
297.31

149.30
0.68
310.13
15.95
11.08
1.24
0.37
2.88
304.02
9.15
24.98
206.86
68.43

19.4
22.4
34.1
29.0
31.8
31.0
10.9
11.9
33.2
31.1
68.5
21.9
23.0

2000
REGION / COUNTRY
Africa
North & Central America

Canada
United States of America

South America

000 m3
70,432
630,871

198,918
420,619

%
4.35
38.93

12.28
25.96

74,119
633,481

%
4.29
36.65

200,247
423,456

11.58
24.50

000 m3

73,294

4.78

432,466

28.20

138,802
283,549

9.05
18.49

6.36

117,987

177,100

10.25
6.83

128,400

197,402

12.87

Asia

246,283

15.20

254,292

14.71

268,034

17.47

Europe

479,045

29.56

539,891

31.23

509,098

33.19

Oceania

47,087

2.91

49,637

2.87

53,525

3.49

WORLD

1,620,513

100

1,728,520

100

1,533,819

100

Indonesia
Malaysia
Austria
Finland
France
Germany
Sweden

44,848
24,380
10,416
50,147
39,476
51,088
57,400

9.06

000 m3

2010

102,994

Brazil

146,795

2005

2.77
1.50
0.64
3.09
2.44
3.15
3.54

50,071
25,186
12,786
47,115
27,943
50,905
92,300

2.90
1.46
0.74
2.73
1.62
2.94
5.34

54,105
19,702
13,281
45,976
29,634
45,387
66,300

8.37

3.53
1.28
0.87
3.00
1.93
2.96
4.32

NOTE:
* After deducting inland water areas.
Source: FAO Statistical Database (Data as at 30 July 2012).

Source: FAO, Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010.

The latex from the species Taban merah (Palaquium gutta), whose timber is
sold as Nyatoh, was used to make golf balls and solid tyres before the advent
of pneumatic tyres.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

The tropical rainforest canopy is so dense that when there is rainfall,

it can take up to 10 minutes for the rain to hit the ground.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

10

11

WORLD PRODUCTION
OF INDUSTRIAL ROUNDWOOD
2000, 2005, 2010
2000

2005

Thousand
Cubic
Metres

700,000

AFRICA

WORLD PRODUCTION
OF INDUSTRIAL
ROUNDWOOD 2010

2010

NORTH
& CENTRAL
AMERICA

Thousand
Cubic
Metres

CANADA

UNITED
STATES
OF AMERICA

SOUTH
AMERICA

BRAZIL

3.49%

4.78%

Oceania

Africa

53,525

73,294

ASIA

28.20%
432,466

North & Central America

600,000

32.19%
509,098

500,000

Europe

400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000

12.87%
197,402

0
,2
25 83
4,
26 292
8,
03
4

17.47%

24
6

2,
9
11 94
7,
12 987
8,
40
0

10

14
6,
7
17 95
7,
19 100
7,
40
2

42
0,
6
42 19
3,
28 456
3,
54
9

8,
9
20 18
0,
2
13 47
8,
80
2

19

0,
8
63 71
3,
4
43 81
2,
46
6

63

70
,4
3
74 2
,1
1
73 9
,2
94

South America

268,034
Asia

TOTAL PRODUCTION

1,533,819

Thousand Cubic Metres

Source: FAO Statistical Database (Data as at 30 July 2012).

Source: FAO Statistical Database (Data as at 30 July 2012).

One tree can absorb as much carbon produced by a car while going 26,000 miles
in a year.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

A fisherman's paradise, Lake Kenyir located in the eastern coastal state of

Terengganu, Malaysia, has over 70 varieties of fish.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

12

13

COMPARATIVE PRODUCTION
OF INDUSTRIAL ROUNDWOOD
2005 & 2010
2005

2010

Thousand
Cubic
Metres

700,000

ENERGY USAGE BY
WOOD AND WOOD
SUBSTITUTES

AFRICA

NORTH
& CENTRAL
AMERICA

SOUTH
AMERICA

ASIA

EUROPE

OCEANIA

600,000

British
Thermal
Unit

400,000

SUBSTITUTION PROCESS

300,000

Wood Studs by Steel

2.91

26.67

200,000

Wood Floor by Concrete

4.14

86.31

21

100,000

Plywood Siding by Brick Veneer

6.00

175.20

30

500,000

49
,6
3
53 7
,5
25

53
9,
8
50 91
9,
09
8

,2
26 92
8,
03
4

25
4

,1
19 00
7,
40
2

17
7

63
3,
4
43 81
2,
46
6

74
,1
1
73 9
,2
94

Source: FAO Statistical Database (Data as at 30 July 2012).

Source: New Zealand Pine International, August/September 1996.

An average-sized tree provides enough wood to make 170,000 pencils.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

ENERGY REQUIRED
BY 1 TONNE OF
WOOD SUBSTITUTE

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
RATIO - WOOD
SUBSTITUTE /
WOOD PRODUCT

ENERGY REQUIRED
BY 1 TONNE OF
WOOD PRODUCT

The lightest wood in the world comes from the Balsa tree.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

14

15

WORLD CARBON DIOXIDE

EMISSIONS BY REGION
1990 - 2035

WOOD THE MOST

ENVIRONMENTALLY
FRIENDLY MATERIAL

(MILLION METRIC TONNES CO2)

REGION / COUNTRY

The following indicators show that the production of timber building components uses
considerably less energy than the manufacture of other building materials.

ENERGY NEEDED TO PRODUCE 1 TONNE OF BUILDING MATERIAL

Tonnes
CO2

Construction Components

FLOOR
STRUCTURE

12

WALL FRAME

ROOF FRAME

FLOOR COVERING

WINDOWS

10
8
6
4
2

Non-OECD
Europe and Eurasia
Russia
Others
Asia
China
India
Others
Middle East
Africa
Central and South America
Brazil
Others
Total Non-OECD
Total World

iu
m
Ti
m
be
r

Al

um

in

be
r

Ti
m

er
am
ic

Ti
le
s

be
r

ee
l

Ti
m

St

Ti
m

be
r

ic
k

St
ee

Br

St

on
cr
et
e
ee
Sl
lS
ab
ub
s
-fr
am
es
Ti
m
be
r

OECD
North America
United States of America*
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Asia
Japan
South Korea
Australia / New Zealand
Total OECD

Source: Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting, Australia.

Ipoh, the state capital of Perak in Malaysia, is named after the Ipoh tree (Antiaris
toxicaria). As the Latin name implies, the tree contains toxic ingredients, which are
used by the Orang Asli (aborigines) as blowpipe dart poison for hunting. Many
other towns and places are also named after trees, e.g., Sentul, Tanjung Tualang,
Pokok Sena and even Malacca was named after the Melaka tree.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

HISTORY

AVERAGE ANNUAL
% CHANGE

PROJECTIONS

1990

2005

2008

2015

2020

2025

2030

2035

2008 - 2035

5,762
4,989
471
302
4,149
1,595
1,054
243
298
11,506

7,007
5,975
629
403
4,424
2,200
1,250
497
454
13,632

6,926
5,838
595
493
4,345
2,201
1,215
522
464
13,472

6,773
5,680
569
524
4,115
2,143
1,125
553
466
13,031

6,924
5,777
582
565
4,147
2,181
1,142
562
477
13,252

7,169
5,938
608
623
4,156
2,224
1,136
597
492
13,549

7,431
6,108
635
688
4,198
2,253
1,110
634
509
13,882

7,772
6,311
679
782
4,257
2,294
1,087
678
528
14,323

0.4
0.3
0.5
1.7
(0.1)
0.2
(0.4)
1.0
0.5
0.2

4,246
2,393
1,853
3,678
2,293
573
811
704
659
695
235
460
9,982

2,889
1,699
1,190
8,305
5,429
1,192
1,684
1,393
985
1,093
366
727
14,664

2,832
1,663
1,169
10,100
6,801
1,462
1,838
1,581
1,078
1,128
423
705
16,718

2,803
1,648
1,154
13,238
9,386
1,802
2,050
1,889
1,209
1,287
528
759
20,426

2,767
1,607
1,159
14,475
10,128
2,056
2,291
2,019
1,311
1,386
579
807
21,958

2,782
1,603
1,179
16,475
11,492
2,398
2,585
2,199
1,430
1,497
644
853
24,383

2,863
1,659
1,204
18,238
12,626
2,728
2,884
2,435
1,568
1,654
739
916
26,758

2,964
1,747
1,217
19,688
13,441
3,036
3,211
2,659
1,735
1,852
874
978
28,898

0.2
0.2
0.2
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.1
1.9
1.8
1.9
2.7
1.2
2.1

21,488

28,296

30,190

33,457

35,210

37,932

40,640

43,221

1.3

NOTES:
* Includes the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
The U.S. numbers include CO2 emissions attributable to renewable energy sources.
Sources:
History: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), International Energy Statistics database (as at March 2011), website www.eia.gov/ies.
Projections: EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 2011, DOE/EIA-0383(2011), AEO2011 National Energy Modeling System, run REF2011.D020911A, website www.eia.gov/aeo,
and World Energy Projection System Plus (2011).

The largest pitcher plant in the world, Nepenthes rajah, can hold a litre of
water in its pitcher and is endemic to Sabah.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

16

17

ENERGY USE BY SECTOR

IN MALAYSIA
1991 - 2009
Agriculture

Non-Energy Use

COMMERCIAL ENERGY
SUPPLY IN MALAYSIA
1991 - 2009

Residential & Commercial*

Transport

Industrial

Hydropower

Kilo-tonnes
of oil equivalent

Kilo-tonnes
of oil equivalent

20,000
18,000
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0

30,000

Coal & Coke

Natural Gas

Petroleum Products & Others

Crude Oil

25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
-5,000
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

127
1,071

446

472

490

307

96

98

87

281

287

211

1,222 2,027

391

62

1,817 1,994

422

1,744

2,298

2,023

1,799 2,250

106

104

2,378 2,511

98

2,345

2,183

2,173 2,809 2,958

101

258

2,876

3,868

1,564 1,640 1,352 1,563 1,612 1,677 1,622 1,731 1,940 2,486 2,970 3,642 5,316 6,631 6,889 7,299 8,848 9,782 10,623

3,073

3,314

3,653 3,868

4,048 4,387

4,399

4,754

5,134 5,430 6,196

6,205

6,337

6,675 8,545 7,729 8,977 11,064 12,339 14,108 14,549 15,893 20,194 20,032 21,802 20,878 21,409 24,783 26,704 27,362 27,800 26,960

1,747

1,891 2,069

2,502 2,837

3,557

5,806

6,226 6,558

7,262 7,827

8,951 10,201

5,809

6,455 7,012

7,283 8,060

9,433 10,106 10,121 10,277 11,406 11,852 12,854 13,472 14,914 15,492 17,002 19,116 19,138 14,312

9,793 11,393 12,071 13,137 13,442 14,271 15,385 15,384 14,825 15,717 16,395 16,119

1,053

997 1,262 1,652 1,540 1,243

4,165 5,100 5,814 2,446

790 1,113 1,668 1,560 1,687 1,329 1,056 1,329 1,313 1,568 1,510 1,964 1,627

610 1,099 3,802 1,920 1,807 (1,431) (1,917)

NOTE:
* Data for Residential & Commercial from 1991 until 1996 are estimates.

NOTE:
* Net natural gas supply after subtracting exports, flared gas and reinjection, and LNG production.

Source: National Energy Balance 2008.

Source: National Energy Balance 2008.

Sabah, Malaysia, is home to the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.
The flower may be more than 91 cm across and weigh over 16 kg. The bloom
lasts between two to five days and smells of putrid meat.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

(521) (1,391)

(37)

(75) (1,474)

(995) (2,282)

96

9,443 10,175 10,135 13,605 16,159 18,255 17,916 17,133 17,643 21,673 23,590 22,647 25,344 25,335 24,339 24,909 26,571 26,776 26,386

Kuala Kangsar district office in Perak, Malaysia, is the site of the last
surviving rubber tree from the original batch that H.N. Ridley brought from
London's Kew Gardens in 1877.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

18

19

POPULATION BY ETHNIC
GROUP IN PENINSULAR
MALAYSIA 2011

0.4%

1.0%
8.5%

Others

Indian

Indian

6.0%

Non Malaysian

POPULATION BY
ETHNIC GROUP IN
SABAH 2011

4.3%

Others

12.2%
Malay

8.8%

Chinese

14.1%

Other Indigenous

3.0%
Murut

24.6%

16.8%

Chinese

Kadazan Dusun

12.3%

ETHNIC
Total Population

Malaysian
Indigenous
- Malay
- Other Indigenous
Chinese
Indian
Others
Non Malaysian

POPULATION
(000)

PERCENTAGE

22,697.9

100.0

21,324.8
13,589.7
13,258.4
331.3
5,591.4
1,924.4
219.3
1,373.2

Bajau

1.5%

Other
Indigenous

58.4%
Malay

28.1%

Non Malaysian

94.0
59.9
58.4
1.5
24.6
8.5
1.0
6.0

Sources: Department of Statistics, Malaysia, and Department of Orang Asli Affairs.

The Belum Rainforest has more Malayan Tigers per square kilometre than
any other animal sanctuary in Malaysia.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

Total Population*

Malaysian
Indigenous
- Malay
- Kadazan Dusun
- Bajau
- Murut
- Other Indigenous
Chinese
Indian
Others
Non Malaysian

Population of Orang Asli: 178,187

a) Negrito (Kensiu, Kintaq, Lanoh, Jahai, Mendriq, Bateq) 5,009 (2.8%)

b) Senoi (Chewong, Jah Hut, Mah Meri, Semai, Semaq Beri, Temiar) 97,846 (54.9%)
c) Proto-Malays (Temuan/Belandas, Semelai, Jakun, Orang Kanaq, Orang Kuala, Orang Seletar) 75,332 (42.3%)

ETHNIC

POPULATION
(000)

PERCENTAGE

3,315.1

100.0

2,383.6
1,936.3
404.4
558.0
408.7
99.2
466.0
292.7
14.1
140.5
931.5

71.9
58.4
12.2
16.8
12.3
3.0
14.1
8.8
0.4
4.3
28.1

NOTE:
* Includes Federal Territory of Labuan.
Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia.

The largest insect egg in Malaysia comes from the 15 cm Malaysian Stick
insect (Heteopteryx dilitata) that lays eggs measuring up to 1.3 cm, larger
than a peanut.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

20

21

POPULATION BY
ETHNIC GROUP IN
SARAWAK 2011

3.1%

0.3%
0.2%

Oceania

Others

Africa

3.2%

Indian

Latin
America

22.7%

24.5%

Malay

Chinese

CERTIFIED FOREST
BY REGION
2011

1.9%

2.7%

Asia Pacific

36.5%

5.3%

Melanau

5.8%

Europe

Other
Indigenous

7.7%

52.6%

North America

Bidayuh

4.7%

ETHNIC

Non Malaysian

POPULATION
(000)

PERCENTAGE

2,539.7

100.0

Total Population

Malaysian
Indigenous
- Malay
- Iban
- Bidayuh
- Melanau
- Other Indigenous
Chinese
Indian
Others
Non Malaysian

2,421.5
1,786.1
577.2
732.4
195.1
135.4
146.0
621.7
5.0
8.7
118.2

28.8%
Iban

95.3
70.3
22.7
28.8
7.7
5.3
5.8
24.5
0.2
0.3
4.7

Source: Department of Statistic, Malaysia.

394.83

Million Hectares

Total

North America
Europe
Latin America
Oceania
Africa
Asia Pacific

MILLION
HECTARES

PERCENTAGE

394.83

100.0

207.77
143.97
12.68
12.28
7.43
10.70

52.6
36.5
3.2
3.1
1.9
2.7

Source: Websites of respective certication schemes (as at December 2009).

The Bintangor tree (Calophyllum lanigerum), found only in Sarawak,

Malaysia, is believed to contain properties that could help fight the virus that
causes AIDS.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

TOTAL CERTIFIED WORLD FOREST

The largest undivided leaf in the world is from Alocasia macrorrhiza, found in Sabah,
Malaysia. A specimen found in 1966 was 3.02 m long and 1.92 m wide.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

22

23

CERTIFIED FOREST UNDER

VARIOUS CERTIFICATION
SCHEMES 2011

KEY ELEMENTS IN THE MALAYSIAN

CRITERIA & INDICATORS (MC&I)
FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION

1.2%

Malaysian Timber Certification

Scheme (MTCS)

37.6%

Existence and implementation of laws, policies

and regulations for Sustainable Forest
Management.

Public participation in forest management.

Gazettement of Permanent Reserved Forests

and resource security.

Flow of forest produce and level of sustainable

harvest.

Existence and implementation of Forest

Management Plans and Forest Harvesting
Plans.

Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC)

0.3%

Indonesian Ecolabelling
Institute (LEI)

62.1%

MILLION
HECTARES

PERCENTAGE

Total

394.83

100.0

Programme for Endorsement

of Forest Certification (PEFC)
Schemes
- Malaysian Timber
Certification Scheme (MTCS)
Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC)
Indonesian Ecolabelling
Institute (LEI)

245.12*

62.1

4.65

1.2

148.64

37.6

1.07

0.3

Programme for Endorsement

of Forest Certification (PEFC)
Schemes

Availability and implementation of various forest

management guidelines and manuals for
pre-felling, harvesting, post-felling and
conservation activities.

Availability and implementation of guidelines for

reduced/low impact logging.

Existence and implementation of procedures to

identify and protect endangered, rare and
threatened forest flora, fauna and assess
changes in biodiversity.

Protection of soil and water, especially in

environmentally sensitive areas.

Efficient use of forests multiple products and

services to ensure economic viability and wide
range of environmental and social benefits.

Aspects covering environmental, economic,

social and cultural requirements for good forest
management.

Existence and implementation of procedures to

ensure safety and health of forest workers.

Conservation of biological diversity and its

associated values.

Recognition of tenure and user rights over the

forest.

Participation of indigenous people and local

communities in forest-based socio economic
activities.

Monitoring to asses the condition of the forests,

yields, social and environment impacts of
management activities.

Maintenance of high conservation value forests.

NOTE:
* PEFC-certified forest include areas certified by MTCS, which was endorsed by the PEFC in May 2009.
Source: Websites of respective certication schemes (as at December 2011).

Malaysia is home to 14,500 species of flowering plants and trees, more than
200 kinds of mammals, 600 species of birds, 140 types of snakes and 60
kinds of lizards.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

The 40,151-hectare Matang Mangrove, which ranks as the single largest

mangrove forest in Malaysia, has been acknowledged as the best-managed
mangrove forest in the world.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

24

25

DEVELOPMENTS IN
TIMBER CERTIFICATION
IN MALAYSIA

DEVELOPMENT OF MC&I
(FOREST PLANTATIONS)

The development of the certification standards under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) involves
broad-based multi-stakeholder consultations among social, environmental, economic stakeholders and relevant
government agencies at regional and national levels.

National Workshop on Standard for Certification

of Plantation Forests October 2002

Final Draft MC&I (Forest Plantations) by TWG

November 2008

Formation of Technical Working Group (TWG)

for development of MC&I (Forest Plantations)
February 2006

First Draft MC&I (Forest Plantations) formulated

August 2006

National Steering Committee (NSC) adopts

MC&I (Forest Plantations) as the standard for
certification of forest plantations in Malaysia
25 November 2008

First Draft MC&I (Forest Plantations) subject to

consultations at regional level
September to November 2006

MC&I (Forest Plantations) adopted as the

standard for certification of forest plantations
under the MTCS 17 February 2009

Second Draft MC&I (Forest Plantations)

formulated February 2007

Third Draft MC&I (Forest Plantations)

formulated March 2007

Third Draft MC&I (Forest Plantations) subjected

to public comment April to June 2007

Fourth Draft MC&I (Forest Plantations) by TWG

based on public comments received
August 2007

Field test on Fourth Draft MC&I (Forest

Plantations) in three regions, i.e., Sabah,
Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia
June to July 2008

CERTIFIED FOREST AREAS AND TIMBER PRODUCTS UNDER MTCS (AS AT MARCH 2012)

Certified forest areas: Nine Forest Management

Units (FMUs) amounting to 4.65 million hectares
or 32% of total Permanent Reserved Forests
(PRFs) in Malaysia.

Certified companies: 174 timber companies.

Certified timber products, mainly sawntimber,

plywood, mouldings and laminated finger-jointed
timber, have been exported to more than 20
countries particularly Europe, Australia, USA
and Japan.

RECOGNITION OF MTCS

As a PEFC-endorsed scheme, the MTCS has

been accepted under the national timber
procurement policies of Denmark, United
Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Belgium,
Switzerland and France, as well as the Keurhout
System of the Netherlands as meeting the
requirements for sustainable timber.

In addition, the MTCS has been accepted by the

following:

The Forestry Agency, Ministry of Agriculture,

Forestry and Fisheries, Japan lists MTCS in its
Guideline for Verification on Legality and
Sustainability of Wood and Wood Products
(April 2006).

The Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning

and Environment (VROM) accepts MTCS as
meeting the requirements for legality of timber
(April 2007).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, New

Zealand recognises MTCS in its Timber and
Wood Products Procurement Policy (TWPP)
(November 2008).

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,

Germany grants full acceptance of MTCS in its
procurement policy (December 2009).

The Kapur (Dryobalanops spp.) canopy is well known for its crown-shyness,
with the crown maintaining its distance from each other.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

The Malaysian rainforest is home to many endemic species, and one of the
rarest endemic mammals is Hoses pygmy flying squirrel (Petaurillus hosei),
a tiny 9 cm long animal.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

26

27

MALAYSIAN TIMBER
CERTIFICATION SCHEME (MTCS)
Figure 1: Institutional Arrangement for MTCS

Under the institutional arrangement for MTCS

(Figure 1):

MTCS is a certification scheme developed by the

Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC).

MTCS started operation in 2001 as a voluntary

national timber certification scheme.

- MTCC is the National Governing Body, which

has overall control of the MTCS.

MTCS comprises two components, i.e., Forest

Management Certification and Chain of Custody
Certification.

- The Certification Bodies (CBs) receive and

process applications for certification, conduct
audits and decide on awarding of certificates.

Certification under MTCS covers Permanent

Reserved Forests and community-owned or
managed forests in Malaysia.

- The National Accreditation Body, i.e.,

STANDARDS MALAYSIA accredits the CBs
to conduct assessment and issue certificates
under the MTCS.

MTCS is the first tropical timber certification

scheme in Southeast Asia to be endorsed by the
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
Certification (PEFC) Schemes.

A new species of giant cockroaches, measuring about 10 cm and discovered

in 2004 on Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, is thought to be the largest in
the world.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

Notification

MTCC
National Governing Body

MTCS

STANDARDS MALAYSIA
National Accreditation Body

Accreditation

Accredited
Certification Bodies

Applicants for Forest

Management Certification

Applicants for
Chain of Custody Certification

The Malaysian sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) or honey bear is the smallest
of the worlds seven bear species.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES

28

PREVENTIVE ACTIONS
AGAINST ILLEGAL LOGGING
IN MALAYSIA
Annual Allowable Cuts (AAC) for the Production Forests within the Permanent Reserved Forests are
pre-determined to ensure the success of Sustainable Forest Management. Effective mechanisms exist to
prevent leakage from AAC.

ILLEGAL LOGGING BY UNLICENSED PARTY:

Setting up of Enforcement Teams within state

forestry departments to patrol sensitive areas,
occasionally by helicopters.

Encouraging public informants to report illegal

activities to the relevant forestry departments
by putting up posters and giving rewards.
Complaints are acted upon within three days.

Checking Station System where all log-bearing

lorries are required to carry (log) removal
passes, which are issued by the checking
stations, at all times. Roadblocks are set up by
the Enforcement Teams from time to time.

Deterrent sentences the National Forestry Act,

1984, which was revised in 1993, has greatly
increased pecuniary and includes mandatory jail
sentences for offenders. The revised Act also
enables the forestry departments, whenever
necessary, to enlist the help of the police and
armed forces in countering problems with
illegal logging.

ILLEGAL LOGGING BY LICENSED PARTY OUTSIDE

LICENSED AREAS OR FELLING OF PROHIBITED TREES:

A detailed boundary-marking system clearly

designates boundaries of licensed areas that
can be easily rechecked and prevents boundary
alteration. Field officers tasked with measuring
and marking boundaries are given personalised
hammer marks to mark trees used to delineate
boundaries.

Reference points for logging blocks are

accurately determined by using permanent
features in the topography map or benchmarks
used by the Department of Survey and Mapping.

Trees to be cut, above a minimum diameter, are

determined by using Pre-Felling Inventory, which
is a standard procedure in Selective Management
System. Control is enhanced through the use of
a tree-marking and tagging system. Logs that go
through the checking station must carry their
original tags and must tally with the
pre-deposited record.

Borneo is home to the worlds smallest spider. A fully grown male of the species
Patu digua has a body length that is less than 0.4 mm.

MALAYSIA: FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT FACTS & FIGURES