The export of logs from Sabah, a major timber producing state, has been banned with immediate effect.  The recently elected Chief Minister, Mohd Shafie Apdal, said the move was taken to ensure sufficient timber for mills in the State and secure jobs. The steady decline in availability of natural forest logs is behind this ban, say analysts.  In recent years Sabah exported between 200,000 and 300,000 tonnes of logs to countries such as China, Japan, Philippines and India.  James Hwong You Chuaang, President of Sabah Timber Industries Association (STIA), welcomed ...