HONORARY PhD…Datuk Kelvin Tan with the honorary Doctorate in Philosophy (Agroforestry) that he received from Universiti Malaysia Sabah in conjunction with its eighth convocation in Kota Kinabalu. Pix: Zamain Singkui


KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Datuk Kelvin Tan, Group Managing Director of TSH Resources Bhd, received an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy (Agroforestry) from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in Kota Kinabalu for his relentless work on sustainable forest management.

In an interview with Bernama, he said his passion for sustainable forest management was due to his deep-rooted love for nature and the fact he was brought up in a village environment.

As one of the first local businessmen to recognise the potential of bio-fuel, Tan, 49, said as his business in plantation, forestry and wood downstream manufacturing grew, he began to appreciate the symbiotic relationship between his business operations and the environment.

Despite scepticism from many quarters, Tan said he went ahead with dogged determination to apply the philosophical tenets of "economically viable, socially acceptable, environmentally responsible and technologically campatible" with regard to forest management and his business activities.

Going by his formula of "Why waste wastes?", Tan's TSH Resources started the first of its kind palm bio-integration complex in Kunak, Sabah.

The complex has successfully used oil palm wastes such as empty fruit bunches, shell and fibre to generate electricity.

Besides generating power for the company's own use, including three palm oil mills, the excess electricity is sold to TNB Sabah Sdn Bhd.

"This project also helps to reduce emission of carbon dioxide and methane gas to the atmosphere," Tan said.

He added that Ekowood International Bhd, a subsidiary of TSH Resources, also sources timber only from sustainable forest sources.

Ekowood, which makes engineered hardwood flooring, has also obtained certification from the prestigious Forest Stewardship Council, a non-profit organisation dedicated to encouraging the responsible management of the world's forests.