Sarawak’s government may appoint an independent panel to investigate whether the state is smuggling timber from neighbouring Indonesia.

The state’s chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said the forestry department would set up an independent body with help from the International Tropical Timber Organisation.

He said moves aimed at improving co-operation with Indonesia were being hampered by continuing claims that Sarawak wes involved in smuggling timber.

Speaking at the opening of Sarawak Timber Association‘s exhibition centre, Mr Mahmud also called on the state’s timber industry to develop more sophisticated products to be sold in higher-value markets.