Sustainable Wood Diy Contest 2026 Participation Jumps More Than Threefold - MTC

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Participation in the Sustainable Wood DIY Contest 2026 organised by the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) surged more than threefold, with 149 entries received this year compared with 48 entries when it was first held in 2024.

Of the total, 88 entries, or 59 per cent, were received in the student category, while the remaining 61 entries were in the public category.

The increase reflected growing interest, particularly among the younger generation, in exploring the potential of wood through design, repurposing and the creation of creative products.

MTC chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Abdullah said the increase in participation reflected the contest’s growing appeal.

“The increase from 48 entries in 2024 to 149 entries this year is very encouraging.

“It shows that the contest is gaining increasing recognition among the public, while attracting more participants to explore the potential of wood creatively,” he said after the prize-giving ceremony here today, which Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad officiated.

“The contest also serves as a platform to bring the public closer to the timber industry and demonstrate how wood can be transformed into useful and valuable products,” he said.

Themed ‘From Waste to Wonders’, the contest encouraged participants to turn wood waste, recycled wood, reused wood and leftover wood offcuts into creative, functional and value-added products.

Among the designs entered in the contest were eco-craft table lamps, wooden guitars, dual-purpose frames that can be used as seats, folding chessboards, creative work desk sets and innovative lamp designs.

The contest is part of MTC’s efforts to enhance public understanding of wood as a renewable resource, while encouraging the creative, optimal and responsible use of timber resources.

-- BERNAMA