NZ and Malaysia to Work to Combat Illegal Logging

"Malaysia is seen as a colleague for New Zealand to understand the process of illegal logging in the internationational market in order to combat the activities which are detrimental not only to the economy but to the well-being of people in this region," he told reporters during his visit to the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) Fibre & Biocomposite Development Centre at Olak Lempit, Banting, here.

Besides combating illegal logging, Malaysia and New Zealand could also work together in scientific research in wood technology and applications in view of higher demand for high quality wood in the future, he said.

"We have agreed that there are mutual benefit for New Zealand and Malaysia working cooperatively scientific development, technology development. We have institutions in New Zealand as you do have in Malaysia, specialising in skill training on wood industry, science and technology," Anderton said.

"Hopefully in future there would be exchange of informations and contacts between the two countries as well as the exchange of scientists," he said.

New Zealand was also working on biofuel in view of rising oil prices and was interested to see Malaysian scientists participating in joint research to produce ethanol (biofuel) from wood waste, he added.

According to Bernama, Anderton said Malaysia and New Zealand would benefit from the expected increase in demand for good quality hardwood worldwide in view of shortage of forest areas.

Both countries, he said, have the capability to produce fast-growing timber from reforestaration activities by planting commercial viable species like mahogany in New Zealand and teak, rubberwood and acacia in Malaysia.

Anderton said New Zealand would seek Malaysia's support in the renegotiation in order to have more flexibility in its land usage where it found it was more suitable to replant forest on the hillside to prevent soil erosion while leaving the other areas for dairy farming projects which could give more returns.

The Kyoto Protocol was an agreement negotiated by many countries in December 1997 and came into force by 2005.

The protocol was developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the participating countries are committed to cut emissions of not only carbon dioxide but also greenhouse gas and other harmful gases as well.

View the Bernama story by clicking here.

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