KUCHING: The state government has approved development fund of more than RM30 million to be channeled directly to Sarawak Forestry under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
Sarawak Forestry chairman Datuk Dr Yusoff Hanifah said this was a manifestation that Sarawak Forestry had regained the government’s trust and confidence.
“With that trust your integrity is at stake, you better watch out to make sure you stay on top to win the hearts and minds of our stake holders and that of the general public,” he said at the Sarawak Forestry 12th anniversary dinner attended by Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem here last night.
Yusoff said Sarawak Forestry had put up enforcement of compliance as its main priority with the implementation of the One Stop Compliance Centre Project (OSCC).
Four such centres have been set up in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri since April to June this year.
He also said since two months ago when the chief minister launched Rimba Sarawak - a research project on intensified management of Sarawak’s bio-rich areas - four world renowned institutions are on board with Sarawak Forestry in the scientific exploration.
These include the Smithsonian Institution and the World Conservation Society from the United Statexs; the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburg, United Kingdom and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum of the National University of Singapore.
He said Sarawak Forestry is currently in discussion with Singapore Botanical Gardens, California Academy of Sciences and Louisiana State Museum of Vertebrate Zoology on the prospect of their joining in this scientific research.--BERNAMA