Haji Zainal Abidin Bin Haji Abdullah

Great forests grow from tiny roots, and so too has the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) grown into a towering force in Malaysia’s economic landscape. Here, timber is not just wood. It’s a living archive, holding the breath of Borneo’s past, the pulse of its present, and the framework of its future. 

Since its establishment in 1973, STIDC has played a vital role in Sarawak’s economic and industrial landscape. Timber is Sarawak’s soul in solid form, and STIDC is its guardian, tasked with balancing progress and preservation.

Leading the charge of this green awakening is a man driven not by power but by purpose: Tuan Haji Zainal Abidin Bin Haji Abdullah, General Manager of the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC). While others see logs, he sees legacy. Where some count exports, he cultivates ecosystems. And while others chase short-term gains, he crafts long-term impact. Just like a tree, his influence grows quietly, but its shade stretches far, offering protection, opportunity, and purpose.

Experience is the best teacher, and Tuan Haji Zainal has certainly earned his stripes. From his early days as a Forest Officer to his tenure as General Manager of Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd and Chairman of the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), he has consistently championed integrity, enforcement excellence, and strategic planning. His efforts in drafting the Forestry and Timber Industry Masterplan and the MTC ESG Charter demonstrate a profound commitment to sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity.

Success, to Tuan Haji Zainal, is not measured in exports alone, but in how those exports uplift the hands that shaped them. His leadership has redefined what it means to grow an industry, bringing local communities into the fold, championing downstream activities, encouraging value-added manufacturing, and supporting the development of innovative timber-based products that proudly carry the “Made in Sarawak” identity.

Under his watchful eye, STIDC launched forward-thinking initiatives like the Forest Sustainability Certification, Furniture Industry Masterplan and smart digitalisation efforts—all designed to future-proof the timber sector without forgetting its roots. He believes the future of Sarawak’s timber is not just green, it’s intelligent, inclusive, and international.

In the echo of falling leaves and the rise of timber towns, you’ll find a legacy being built, not just for profit, but for people and planet. Because in Sarawak, the trees still speak. And under Tuan Haji Zainal’s leadership, STIDC has become their loudest, most visionary voice.