KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has lifted the log export ban that was imposed in May 2018 by the former Warisan Plus state government.

       Chief conservator of Sabah Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan confirmed that the ban would be lifted with effect from Jan 3, and restricted log exports would be allowed from natural forests.

       "This is capped at 20% of annual log production based on the yearly work plan and is only applicable to long-term Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) licence holders and production areas with government-linked interest," he said when contacted on Wednesday (Dec 29).

       However, he assured the downstream industry it would continue to receive 80% of supply from natural forests.

       "There is no cap on planted timber.

       "However, preference is first given to the domestic industry," he added.

       He said a coordinating committee, involving representatives from industry players and government agencies, would monitor the situation.

       The Warisan administration enforced the log export ban to ensure adequate supply to the local downstream timber industry which at that time was complaining of a shortage of logs.

       Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, which took over the state government in September last year, maintained the ban although Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had said that it would be reviewed.

       The restricted log export programme will be on a case-by-case basis, subject to the applicants’ eligibility.

       All applications for log export permission must be submitted to state-owned Innoprise Sdn Bhd.