Potential for bamboo industry to be developed, says DPM Fadillah

Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has stated that the bamboo industry has great potential to be developed and used as an alternative source of timber. He emphasized that bamboo is an important natural resource, with Malaysia being home to approximately 70 bamboo species, 45 of which are local species found in Malaysian forests. He highlighted that the peninsula alone has about 229,122.57 hectares of bamboo. Fadillah expressed his belief that bamboo has the potential to be developed and utilized for various applications, despite its current export value not being significant compared to other timber products.

During the World Bamboo Day Malaysia 2023 event at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) auditorium on September 21, the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Plantation and Commodities Minister, stated that the production of highly marketable bamboo products should be prioritized. He stressed the need to develop the latest technology and innovations in this area, involving entrepreneurs, professionals, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

According to Fadillah, the export of bamboo products brought in approximately RM14.46mil in 2022, marking a 66.1% increase compared to the previous year. He further revealed that there are 577 industry players actively involved in sectors such as furniture, construction, textiles, plantations, food, coal, and handicrafts. In order to boost the national bamboo industry, Fadillah called for a more effective and holistic approach to be taken, creating a conducive environment for downstream industries to produce more valuable bamboo products.

Fadillah also urged all stakeholders to take proactive measures in improving the bamboo industry at all levels, from upstream to downstream and up to the production of finished products. He commended the efforts of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, particularly the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), in improving the national bamboo industry. Initiatives such as the building of bamboo plantations in Hulu Terengganu and the bamboo community farming program have been implemented to this end.

FRIM director-general Ismail Parlan mentioned that FRIM has conducted extensive research on the bamboo industry since the 1980s, covering various aspects such as taxonomy and planting techniques. The agency has also collaborated with both private and public sector agencies, resulting in successful technology-sharing initiatives. Ismail highlighted the research on 13 bamboo species that have significant commercial value, aiming to promote the growth of the bamboo industry and maximize economic benefits for the community.

Among the attendees at the event were Abdul Hadi Omar (Plantation and Commodities Ministry deputy secretary-general), Wan Ahmad Asmady Wan Md Din (Ministry undersecretary), Datuk Larry Sng (MTIB chairman), Mohd Nor Zamri Mat Amin (MTIB director-general), and Zainal Abidin Abdullah (Malaysia Timber Council chairman).