o_19ko2dt161ng2j4e1tgnoqv1s45a.pdf

NAZIR KHAN NIZAM KHAN & MOHD YUNUS ZAKARIA (2007)
Malaysia is committed to manage its natural forest in a sustainable manner; to ensure continuous
timber production, maintain multiple functions of the forests, conserve biodiversity and control
environmental impact (Mohd Yunus 1993, Anonymous 1996). The following are the objectives
of the National Forest Policy 1978 (revised 1992) (Anonymous 1995):
• To conserve and manage the nation’s forest, based on the principles of sustainable
management
• To protect the environment and to conserve the forest biological diversity, genetic resources,
and to enhance research and education
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS, POLICY AND LEGISLATIONS
Under Article 74(2) of the Malaysian Constitution, forestry comes under the jurisdiction of
the respective State Governments. As such, each state is empowered to enact laws on forestry
and to formulate forest policy independently. The executive authority of the Federal Government
only extends to the provision of the maintenance of the experimental and demonstration stations,
training and in the conduct of research.
In order to facilitate the adoption of a coordinated and common approach to forestry, the
National Land Council (NLC) established the National Forestry Council (NFC) in December
20, 1971. The NLC is empowered under the Malaysian Constitution to formulate a national
policy for the promotion and control of the utilization of land for mining, agriculture and
forestry. The NFC serves as a forum for the Federal and the State Governments to discuss and
resolve common issues relating to forestry policy, administration and management. The
responsibility for implementing the decisions of the NFC lies with State Governments unless
it is within the authority of the Federal Government.
In 1977, the National Forestry Policy was accepted by the National Forestry Council and later
endorsed by the National Land Council on April 19, 1978. This policy was revised in November
1992 to take cognizance of the current concern expressed by the world community on the
importance of biological diversity conservation and the sustainable utilization of the genetic
resources, as well as the role of local communities in forest development.
STATUS OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA’S FOREST RESOURCES
Forested Areas
During the implementation of the New Economic Policy in 1970, particularly with two prime
objectives, i.e. eradication of poverty and distribution of wealth among the races, one of the
strategies was the development of large-scale agricultural development, particularly in rural
areas. The development of forest areas into palm oil and rubber plantations in tandem causes
reduction of forested areas in Peninsular Malaysia. However, there was a significant increase
in the gazettement of permanent reserved forest (PRF). In 1970, the total forested areas was
approximately 8.0 million ha and this has dropped to 5.87 million ha in 2003, a decrease of 27
%. During the same period, the area gazetted as PRF was 3.3 million hectares and this was
increased to 4.7 million ha or an increase of 42 % in 2003. Table 1 illustrates the trend.
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