Participation in the Sustainable Wood DIY Contest 2026 more than tripled, with 149 entries this year compared with 48 entries in its inaugural edition in 2024.
Of the total, 88 entries, or 59%, were submitted under the Student Category, while the remaining 61 entries were from the Public Category. The increase reflects growing interest, particularly among the younger generation, in exploring wood’s potential through design, reuse, and the creation of innovative products.
Organised by the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), the three-day event at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya, featured 20 finalist products from the Public and Student Categories. The prize-giving ceremony on 4 October 2026 was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Minister of Plantation and Commodities.
Commenting on the contest, YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad said the initiative demonstrates how creativity and innovation can help optimise the use of wood, including leftover materials that still have value.
“Wood waste and offcuts can be given a new function and value through creativity, design, and craftsmanship. Initiatives such as this not only provide a platform for emerging talent, but also encourage the creation of wood products that are creative, functional, and value-added. This approach is important in strengthening the competitiveness of Malaysia’s timber industry,” she said.
Held under the theme From Waste to Wonders, the contest encouraged participants to transform wood waste, recycled wood, reclaimed wood, and wood offcuts into creative, functional, and value-added products. Among the showcased entries were an eco-craft desk lamp, a wooden guitar, a dual-purpose frame that doubles as a seat, a foldable chessboard, a creative workbench set, and innovative lighting pieces.
The contest is part of MTC’s efforts to build greater public understanding of wood as a renewable resource, while encouraging creative, optimal, and responsible use of wood resources.
MTC Chairman Datu Haji Zainal Abidin Haji Abdullah said the increase in participation reflected broader public interest in the competition. “The increase from 48 entries in 2024 to 149 entries this year is very encouraging. It shows that the contest is gaining wider interest among the public and attracting more participants to explore the potential of wood creatively. The contest also provides a platform to bring the public closer to the timber industry and demonstrate how wood can be transformed into useful and valuable products.”
Finalists were assessed based on creativity, sustainability, functionality, and craftsmanship. Final scores comprised 60% from the judges’ evaluation and 40% from public voting. In each category, the first, second, and third-place winners received RM1,500, RM1,000, and RM500, respectively. Participants who placed fourth to tenth each received RM100 and a certificate.
In the Public Category, Jeffrey Yong Chin Hoe took first place with Universe IV, a handcrafted guitar, followed by Mohd Haidil bin Sulaiman in second place with Sutra Bowl (Nyibodak), while Falah bin Abu secured third place with Tri-Element: Eco-Craft Desk Lamp, a functional lighting piece crafted from reclaimed wood.
In the Student Category, Bryan Khoo Ting Xiang of SMK St Xavier emerged as the first-place winner with Anima Ligni, a chessboard created from a rescued log and solid hardwood; Nur Hamra binti Nasir of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, took second place with Foldable Chessboard; while Nurin Sofiya binti Izamri of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) placed third with Kumbu Craft, a statement side table. The winning entries stood out for their creativity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful transformation of wood waste, offcuts, and reclaimed materials into functional, distinctive, and value-added products.
The contest also recognised the public’s favourites through the People’s Choice Award, determined by mall visitors’ votes during the exhibition on 2 and 3 October 2026. In the Public Category, the award went to Wooden Heart – PC Casing by Noorashikin binti Othman of Kolej Komuniti Jelebu. In the Student Category, Lengkungan Cahaya Estetika, created by Muhammad Danny Ashraff bin Ishamuddin, Shiekh Ajnabil bin Shiekh Fazilur Rahman, and Muhammad Haikal bin Azmi of Kolej Komuniti Kuala Langat, received the highest number of public votes and was named the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
MTC Chief Executive Officer, Puan Noraihan Abdul Rahman, said the contest also highlighted timber’s value as a renewable resource and the importance of using it optimally and responsibly.
“Timber has long-term value when used responsibly. Materials that may be considered no longer useful can still be given a new purpose. This contest demonstrates that timber waste and offcuts are not merely waste materials but can be transformed into products of value through creativity, design and craftsmanship,” she said.
Rekayu Penang, a Penang-based creative space and woodworking workshop, together with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), supported the contest as Strategic Partners. The collaboration brought together expertise in woodworking and academia to broaden engagement among students, creative practitioners, and the wider public.
Malaysia’s timber industry continues to play an important role in the national economy, with timber and timber products exports reaching RM21.51 billion in 2025. As global markets place increasing emphasis on sustainability, efforts to optimise material use and create value-added products remain important in strengthening the competitiveness of Malaysia’s timber industry.
