Strengthening Transparency and Collaboration in Sustainable Forest Management: Insights from the MTCC-PEFC Field Visit 2025

24 February 2025 News

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) recently hosted representatives from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) for an in-depth field visit from February 12-19, 2025. In addition, two representatives of  the Netherlands' Timber Procurement Assessment Committee (TPAC) joined the field visit as ‘observers’.

This visit provided first-hand insights into the implementation and governance of the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), fostering transparency and collaboration among stakeholders.

The PEFC and TPAC representatives were able to directly observe and evaluate the complaints raised in 2022 on the implementation of the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS). 

To ensure a fair and objective review, an independent consultant appointed by PEFC International conducted an evaluation of the scheme’s implementation.

Key engagements and activities

The visit commenced with a courtesy meeting with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (MPC) in Putrajaya. The delegation then travelled to Miri and Ulu Baram in Sarawak, followed by Kuala Kangsar in Perak, before concluding in Kuala Lumpur.

Throughout the visit, the delegation engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including local communities, community leaders, certification holders, state agencies, NGOs, and activists. These interactions provided valuable perspectives on sustainable forest management practices under the MTCS.

The field visit concluded in Kuala Lumpur with debriefing sessions at the MTCC office, attended by key representatives from the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Perak State Forestry Department, Forest Department Sarawak, Malaysian Timber Council, and the Netherlands Embassy.

Additionally, a final discussion was held with SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd., the MTCS certification body, to address specific concerns and clarify audit procedures.

Observations and key outcomes

The delegation focused on topics like  free, prior and informed consent of indigenous people and the quality of maps while also highlighting opportunities for improvement and optimized integration of sustainable forest management practices. 

Inputs received from indigenous people from communities located in non-certified forests provided evidence of the impact of certification on the livelihoods of indigenous people.

Moving forward, MTCC will continue to strengthen the MTCS, while PEFC International will integrate learnings from the report to be compiled by the independent consultant, and TPAC will submit its findings for submission to the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water.

The reports by PEFC International and TPAC will be made publicly available.

Field visit highlights

Sarawak:

• A briefing was held with the Forest Department Sarawak, Samling Plywood (Miri) Sdn. Bhd., and the District Offices of Telang Usan and Beluru.
• Meetings were conducted with 59 local leaders from Paong Forest Plantation Management Unit (FPMU), Layun Forest Management Unit (FMU), and Gerenai FMU, the latter was recently withdrawn from certification.
• Field visits in Ulu Baram included observations of sustainable forestry operations in Paong FPMU management of High Value Forest Areas and engagement with more than 69 indigenous people from communities in Long Tebanyi (in Paong FPMU) as well as Long Sela’an Tepuan, and Long Sela’an Belukun (communities within previously certified Gerenai FMU). This was done to hear directly from the community about the effectiveness of the complaint’s mechanism and forest operations.
• MTCC, PEFC, and TPAC attended a dialogue session with SAVE Rivers and activists in Long Selatong Tanjung Tepalit on the complaints raised to the Netherlands Government in 2022. The session was attended by 47 community members from within the Gerenai FMU area (comprising Long Apu, Long Julan Pelutan, Long Selatong Dikan, Long Selatong Tanjung Tepalit, Long Tungan, Long Pilah, and Long Anap) and other non-MTCS certified areas (comprising Ba Data Bila and Sawa Ali).
• In this session, MTCC explained about the functioning of MTCS, its provisions concerning sustainable forest management and benefits to local communties, and shared about the information of certified areas in Sarawak. This included the most recent withdrawal of Gerenai FMU due to unfavourable market conditions and the inability to sustain forest operations, effective 3 February 2025. It was followed with discussion and interaction to get more clarification about the complaints through interaction with attendees.

Perak:

• The delegation received briefings from the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia and Perak Forestry Department on forest management and its challenges.
• A site visit to the Piah Forest Reserve in Kuala Kangsar was conducted to observe sustainable harvesting operations.
• Engagements were held with Orang Asli representatives in Ayer Karah to discuss the implementation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) within operating area and the social impact of forestry practices.

The delegates also learned about the differences in laws and regulations between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, especially in relation to the aspects of forest management, land management, land rights  and land use.

About the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)

MTCC was established to develop and operate the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), a voluntary national timber certification program that provides independent audits of forest management practices to ensure sustainability. For over 25 years, MTCC has championed sustainable forest management and responsible sourcing. As the first tropical timber certification scheme in the world to be endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), MTCS plays a crucial role in promoting responsible forest management in Malaysia.

Website: https://mtcc.com.my

About the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)

PEFC is the world's largest forest certification system, dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. As a global non-profit, PEFC works with national organizations to endorse forest certification systems tailored to local conditions. With over 80 members globally, including NGOs, businesses, and forest owners, PEFC plays a vital role in supporting responsible forestry practices worldwide. Since its founding in 1999, PEFC has grown to certify almost 300 million of hectares of forest across the globe.

Website: https://www.pefc.org

About the Netherlands' Timber Procurement Assessment Committee (TPAC)

TPAC assesses timber certification systems and advises the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water management (I&W) on the outcome. The objective of the Committee is to facilitate the government’s commitment to procure 100% sustainable timber.

Website: https://www.tpac.smk.nl/32/home.html

Media Contact:
Muhammad Hasif Azizan
Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)
Email: comm@mtcc.com.my