Putrajaya, Malaysia, 27 September 2006: Remote sensing technology will be extended nationwide in Malaysia to curb illegal logging and control forest fires. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the satellite-based data gathering and monitoring system would also provide authorities with up-to-date information on the inventories of forests in the country. “The technology will enable the gathering of data on species of flora and fauna as well as the volume of trees in our forests,” he said.
Praising the technology developed by the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing, he said after the technology was successfully tried out in the Gunung Stong State Park in Kelantan, the Government was expanding its usage.
“The government was concerned over the shrinking timber resources in Peninsular Malaysia and would take steps, including reviewing and restructuring related policies to overcome the problem.” Najib said after chairing the 20th National Forestry Council meeting on September 26.
The new policies which are being prepared by the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry will protect the interest of industries, especially, furniture manufacturing. It would be tabled for the Cabinet by year-end.
