Malaysia Natural Resources
Malaysia is full of vast natural resources in areas such as agriculture, forestry and minerals. These sectors employ roughly 10% of the Malaysian labor force and account for about 8% of the country’s GDP.
Malaysia is full of vast natural resources in areas such as agriculture, forestry and minerals. These sectors employ roughly 10% of the Malaysian labor force and account for about 8% of the country’s GDP.
Of the many natural resources it has, rubber is Malaysia’s mainstay; 40% of the world’s rubber commodities come from Malaysia, as well as palm oil, cocoa, and wood products. Malaysia is the world’s second largest palm oil producer and exporter, accounting for 26% of world production and 34% of world exports in 2020.
Malaysia is also the regional leader in aluminum, iron, and manganese production. The country has been working to shift from mid-stream processing to downstream manufacturing of advanced materials such as rare earth magnets.
Malaysia has a high-value of natural forest resources rich in various species of flora and fauna.
The government of Malaysia has been dedicated to conserving and protecting its forests since 1992. By taking steps to make sustainable development a priority, the Malaysia Policy on Forestry and the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025 have provided a foundational framework of documents covering every aspect including ecosystem management, protection and conservation of forests.
However, prioritizing forest conservation in Malaysia has become challenging due to the other land uses providing larger returns on investment leading to forests still being at high risk of illegal deforestation and forest loss. Actions need to be taken to ensure that sustainable forest management is a top priority for the Malaysian government.
Together, we can make a difference in Southeast Asia’s fight against climate change and towards sustainable economic development. Follow the groups below, who are taking actions against deforestation in Malaysia.
