Sarawak halves timber royalties to steady domestic processing and counter export drift

The Sarawak Forest Department has confirmed that the Sarawak government will cut royalty rates and selected statutory charges on natural forest timber by 50%, in a temporary move aimed at stabilising the state’s forestry sector. The reduction applies to all Forest Timber Licences (FTL) and Forest Plantation Licences (LPF), and will take effect within two weeks, pending system updates. The measure will remain in place for one year and is subject to review. It excludes the Timber Industry Tariff H0272502. The policy comes as mounting cost pressures—rising fuel prices, global market uncertainty and supply chain disruptions ...