The inaugural event of the Malaysian Timber Council’s (MTC) Sustainable Wood DIY Contest 2024 showcased the remarkable creativity and enthusiasm of participants who transformed wood waste into unique and functional products.

The contest, which centred around the theme ‘Innovative Sustainable Wood Items’, featured two categories.

Type 1 focused on household, decorative and craft items, encouraging participants to create artistic wood-based products such as handcrafted home décor, clocks, wall art, planters, serving trays and shelving units.

Type 2 was dedicated to functional reclaimed furnishings, where contestants designed practical wooden furniture, including tables, chairs, benches, bookshelves, cabinets and shoe racks.

A total of 16 outstanding entries made it to the finals, which were displayed at Sunway Velocity Mall in Cheras. The final judging process involved online voting by mall visitors and public voting via Facebook, making it a truly interactive event.

Winners all

The prize-giving ceremony, which took place after the exhibition, was attended by prominent figures, including Tuan Haji Zainal Abidin Haji Abdullah, Chairman of MTC; Madam Noraihan Abdul Rahman, CEO of MTC; and Dato’ Razali Mohamad, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities.

The winners in each category were awarded a cash prize of RM 1,500. Second-place winners received RM 1,000, while third-place finishers won RM 500.

Additionally, participants ranked fourth to tenth in each category received consolation prizes of RM 100. All winners were presented with certificates of participation, honouring their outstanding achievements.

In line with the sustainable theme, MTC crafted the winners’ trophies from timber off-cuts, marking a first for the organisation. The first-place trophy was made from Merbau, second place from Penarahan, and third place from Tembusu.

This gesture not only reinforced the event’s focus on sustainability but also highlighted the potential of using wood waste creatively.

The contest was launched in July 2024, with a submission period of seven weeks, during which participants were required to upload photos of their creations to MTC’s Facebook page and gather as many likes as possible.

Despite the brief time frame, the contest saw a strong response, reflecting the growing interest in sustainable woodworking practices.

The success of this year’s contest dedicated to fostering creativity, sustainability and community involvement in the timber industry, sets the stage for future initiatives that celebrate the eco-friendly and innovative potential of wood.

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