National Forestry Policy 1978 (Revised 1992).

This National Forestry Policy is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at (i) conserving and managing the nation's forests based on the principles of sustainable management; (ii) protecting the environment: (iii) conserving biological diversity and genetic resources; (iv) enhancing research and education. The Permanent Forest Estate has been classified under four major functions (1) protection forests, for ensuring favorable climatic and physical conditions of the country; (2) production forest for the supply in perpetuity, at reasonable rates of all forms of forest produce; (3) amenity forests, for the conservation of adequate forest areas for recreation and ecotourism; and (4) research and education forests. The main interventions that must be carried out on forests are (i) sustainable management; (ii) regeneration and rehabilitation; (iii) harvesting; (iv) plantation; (v) research; (vi) manpower development and training; (vii) education and extension; (viii) conservation of biological diversity.
To make forestry more productive and sustainable, the following shall be undertaken (i) forest development through forest regeneration and rehabilitation operations; (ii) establishment of forest plantations of indigenous and exotic species to supplement timber supply from the natural forest; (iii) education in forestry, publicity, and extension services; (iv) a closer international co-operation in forestry in order to benefit from the transfer of technology and exchange of scientific information; (v) harvesting plans to maintain a favorable level of log production and minimize damage to regeneration.
Rural poverty can be tackled by developing a comprehensive program in community forestry to cater for the needs of the rural communities.
More inclusive and efficient agricultural and forestry systems can be enhanced through (i) priority given to Bumiputra participation in the field of wood-based industries; (ii) promotion of efficient harvesting and utilization within the production forest for maximum economic benefits from all forms of forest produce; (iii) development of forest industries towards the production of more value-added finished and semi-finished products for local consumption and export; (iv) promotion of active local community involvement in various contracts of the forestry development projects and to maintain their involvement in agro-forestry programs; (v) production of non-wood forest products through scientific and sustainable management practices to supplement local demands and the requirements of related industries; (vi) a comprehensive program of forestry training to ensure adequate supply of trained manpower; (vii) the involvement of local communities near forest fringes in planting forest fruit tree to conserve forestry resource.
To increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters, the Policy focuses on (i) the importance of preserving the biological diversity and the conservation of areas with unique species of the flora and fauna; (ii) the environmental stability and minimization of damage to agricultural lands; (iii) safeguard of water resources, soil fertility, environmental quality, and the minimization of damage by floods and erosion to rivers.
As for Governance, the Director General of Forestry is responsible to the Federal Government for the proper and efficient management of the Nation's Permanent Forest Estate, which is achieved by providing the State Governments, through their respective State Directors of Forestry, with technical advice, assistance and training facilities. A Permanent Forest Estate of sufficient area must be determined and its security assured and, whenever possible, efforts must be taken to increase the area of the Permanent Forest Estate by including other lands.