<P> In Malaysia, the World Bank estimates that trees are being cut down at 4 times the sustainable rate . Logging does not have to be as destructive a practice as it currently is in Malaysia . In the past 2 decades, Malaysia has moved towards diversifying its economy, but logging still draws in many because of poor regulation and high profit . The most effective way to combat the negative effects of logging would be tighter regulation that still allows high production of palm oil, but in a more sustainable manner . This way, not only will the effects be mitigated now, but there will be more forests to log, and thus profits to make, in the future . </P> <P> Malaysia still has a relatively high forest coverage percentage . Currently, it is estimated that 59.9% of the total area is covered by forests, of which, a sizeable portion are untouched virgin forests (see old - growth forests) which dates back to around 130 million years . </P> <P> An increase in the level of awareness of Malaysians compounded with the local folk belief that existed in the indigenous populations (see Semai people) has added to the strength of the many Malaysian movements in environmentalism . The Malaysian Nature Society is active in advocating protection of forest . Other organisations such as the Tabung Alam Malaysia, a branch of the World Wide Fund For Nature has also established offices in Malaysia since 1972 dedicated to nature conservation as well as education on the importance of forest conservation to the wider populace . The Forest Research Institute Malaysia has also been actively conducting research on the biodiversity of Malaysia's forests as well as in conservation . </P> <P> Deforestation in the following areas / project sites have attracted controversy: </P>

What is the main force driving deforestation in malaysia