The Standard Malaysian Name for the heavy, red to red-brown timbers of the genus Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae). Vernacular names applied are too many to be listed here except for the more common ones, viz. balau laut merah (Peninsular Malaysia), balau merah (Peninsular Malaysia), damar laut merah (Peninsular Malaysia), membatu (Peninsular Malaysia), red selangan batu (Sabah and Sarawak), selangan batu merah (Sabah and Sarawak), semayur (Sarawak), seraya (Peninsular Malaysia) and seraya batu (Peninsular Malaysia).
Uses :
The timber is suitable for heavy construction under cover, beams, posts, joists, rafters, pallets (heavy duty), columns (heavy duty), tool handles (impact), joinery, cabinet making, fender supports, vehicle bodies (framework and floor boards), ship and boat building (keels, keelsons and framework), plywood, heavy duty furniture, flooring (heavy traffic), door and window frames and sills, staircase (carriage, angle block, rough bracket, riser, tread, bullnose, round end, winder, stringer and newel), cooling tower (structural members), railway sleepers (treated) as well as telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms (treated).
