Gaharu in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: The gaharu (agarwood) resin, whose oil extract is much sought after in the Middle East, can fetch lucrative prices of up to RM20,000 per kg, according to a university academician.

The oil extract taken from the resin produced from the aquilaria malaccensis tree, would cost several thousands of ringgit, depending on its grade and quality, said Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Biological Sciences lecturer Prof Baharuddin Salleh.

“Why is it expensive? I’m not able to answer that.

“It is the same when people ask why gold is expensive,” he said yesterday.

He added that the oil extract was usually used in perfumes, medicines and sometimes by wealthy Arabs to wash their clothes and linen.

“Other parts of the tree have its uses as well – the leaves are used in drinking tea and the remnants of the wood are used to make joss sticks,” he said, adding that the Middle Eastern countries imported gaharu oil and the wood mainly from Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia as well as some from Malaysia.

Baharuddin was responding to a series of reports in The Star regarding the illegal felling of gaharu trees in Penang, the latest incident being at Gambier Hill.

This was despite the state government’s declaration of a crackdown against the thieves.

Local syndicates with foreign connections were allegedly felling the highly-valued gaharu trees in the rainforest near the Botanic Gardens as well as several other areas.

Penang Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh had said that there would be joint operations with the police to tackle the situation, as it was a serious matter.

Baharuddin said the aquilaria malaccensis tree was widely available in Malaysia, but there was a lack of awareness about its potential.

“Malaysia is actually behind other neighbouring countries which are more advanced in the gaharu industry.

“There are not many gaharu plantations in Malaysia as it is still in the early stages, but the future of gaharu is bright,” he said.

Penang MACC director Datuk M. Samarajoo said they would initiate investigations if there was information or report on corruption (related to the illegal felling).