COMMENT | Comprehensive forest policy needed

COMMENT | This year commemoration of the International Day of Forests has a special significance for Malaysia. The country finally has a national policy in its real sense, albeit geographically.

The Malaysia Forestry Policy approved at the 78th National Land Council meeting in January is the first policy document on forest matters that covers the three regions of the country – Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

Prior to this, little known to the public, the nine-page National Forestry Policy 1978 (amended 1992) only relates to the peninsular region.

Another significance of the policy is the reported inclusion of the much-touted 50 percent forest cover pledge made at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. After nearly 30 years, this moral commitment is finally enshrined in an official policy document.

The good news is that, despite this delay, the country has succeeded in maintaining forest cover over 55.3 percent of its terrestrial landmass.

Thus far, the policy has yet to be made public. Up to yesterday (March 20), the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has yet to upload the policy on its website.

Having the target in black and white is only the first step. It remains to be seen if the policy includes any additional operational mechanism...