CM: Sabah to end timber export

The new Sabah government will cease exporting timber, but will instead build on its resources to create its own industry locally, its Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal (above) said.

Mohd Shafie stressed that Sabah needed to build its own industry rather than export raw material so that there would be more jobs opportunities for Sabahans.

“I am taking a drastic step to stop exporting timber logs. We might lose the royalty from timber, but in a long run, there will be more jobs created because of our industry,” Mohd Shafie told a gathering of hundreds of Sabah students who were studying in the peninsular, when attending a breaking of fast function in Shah Alam, last night.

He added that Sabahans were equally able to produce quality furniture and other products for the world market.

“Why can’t we produce wood panelling for Mercedes Benz? Why do only the Italians produce beautiful (wooden) furniture? It can be done by Sabahans!” Mohd Shafie, who is Warisan chief, said.

For the long-term development of the state, the chief minister stated Sabah could no longer rely solely on revenue from petroleum and palm oil. 

Instead, he said the focus should be on cultivating talent, knowledge and skills. 

Yayasan Sabah to be 'catalyst for creating wealth' 

To deliver the vision, Mohd Shafie said that was why the Sabah government had set up the Education and Innovation Ministry, helmed by Dr Yusof Yacob.

He added that the Yayasan Sabah Group would also continue to provide jobs and educational assistance to the people.

“I will make Yayasan Sabah the catalyst to not only create wealth in Sabah, but also to create wealth for the people in Sabah.”

Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG) was established by the Sabah government to provide education and educational facilities for all Malaysians in Sabah.

Mohd Shafie reiterated that the creation of human capital was the priority of the Sabah government.

He further promised free tertiary education should the state government have enough money.

“But we must get wealth first and that takes time,” Shafie promised. - Mkini