Latest news with #MalaysianRubberCouncil
Barnama
07-08-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MRC Unveils Three ESG Initiatives To Advance Rubber Industry's Sustainable Transition
BUSINESS Plantation and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin (third, right) during officiating the Malaysian Rubber Industry ESG Conference (MREC 2025) today. Also present Deputy Secretary-General (Plantation and Commodities) Datuk Razali Mohamad (second, right) and Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC), Muhammad Eizaaz Muhammad Redzuan (third, left). KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) today launched three key initiatives to reinforce the rubber industry's commitment to sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Chief executive officer Muhammad Eizaaz Muhammad Redzuan said the initiatives marked a significant shift in MRC's role, positioning the agency as a strategic enabler of responsible and sustainable growth, beyond its traditional function of promoting exports. 'To build on this momentum, I am proud to announce that MRC will today launch three significant sustainability initiatives,' he said in his welcoming remarks at the Malaysian Rubber Industry ESG Conference (MREC 2025) here today. The first initiative is the 'Sustainable Transition for Rubber Industry Development & ESG Fund', or STRIDE Fund, which builds upon MRC's existing Hiring Malaysian Workers Fund. 'STRIDE will specifically support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in hiring dedicated sustainability officers and accessing expert ESG consultancy—helping them move from compliance to competitiveness,' he said. The second initiative involves the launch of a set of guidelines and tools titled 'Navigating ESG: A Practical Guide for Rubber and Rubber Products Manufacturers in Malaysia'. Muhammad Eizaaz said the MRC ESG Guidelines and Self-Regulated Checklist offer a practical starting point for companies seeking to enhance their ESG practices, initiate reporting efforts and prepare for evolving regulatory requirements. The third initiative is the 'Low Carbon Transition Roadmap for Malaysian Rubber Manufacturers', designed to serve as a blueprint for companies to begin their decarbonisation journey. 'It will help manufacturers implement meaningful emissions reduction measures and eventually commit to credible net-zero targets,' he added.
New Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Iran-Israel conflict to drive up export costs, says Johari Ghani
KUALA LUMPUR: The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel is expected to impact the country's commodity export industry, particularly through a sharp increase in logistics and transportation costs, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He said although the demand for key commodities such as rubber and palm oil is not expected to be directly affected, as they are essential goods, disrupted shipping routes will cause export costs to soar. Johari said shipping companies are now forced to avoid risky areas and choose alternative routes that are longer, or unload goods at safe ports before transporting them by land, thus increasing costs. "When there is a war like the one between Iran and Israel, the logistics costs of products bound for the region will increase. Transportation costs can rise by up to three times. "As a country that is highly dependent on international trade, any disruption in the world's geopolitical landscape will definitely affect us. "Our GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is around RM1.9 trillion. But our trade volume with the world is almost RM2.8 trillion, almost RM3 trillion. This means we are very dependent on trade. So when international trade is affected, it will indirectly affect us," he said. Johari said this at the launch of the Industry Linkage Fund (ILF) 2.0 and the enhancement of the Automation and Green Technology Fund (FAT-G), organised by the Malaysian Rubber Council, here today. Johari said, for example, that the cost of sending a container to West Africa used to be around US$1,200 (RM5,089), but it can now reach up to US$3,000 (RM12,722) — and at one point, even hit US$6,000 (RM25,443) — due to geopolitical risks. He, however, assured that the fundamentals of the country's commodity industry remain strong because Malaysia's main markets, namely India, China, and the European Union are still stable and not directly affected by the conflict. "Demand for food and essential products such as rubber gloves will always be there. The only challenge now is to manage the increasing logistics costs so that the competitiveness of our products is not affected," he said. Recognising the increasingly complex external challenges, Johari said that local industries need to continue to strengthen their resilience through innovation and efficiency improvements. "This is why funds like the ILF and FAT-G are so important. They aim to help local companies, especially small and medium enterprises, to invest in technology, automation, and research and development to produce high-value-added products that are more competitive in the global market," he said.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MRC extends Mohamad Suparadi's service for another two years
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) has extended the term of office of its Board of Trustees chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor for another two years, effective June 1, 2025 until May 31, 2027. MRC said in a statement today that the extension reflects the continued confidence of Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani in Mohamad Suparadi's leadership in driving the progress of the country's rubber products industry. First appointed in 2023, Mohamad Suparadi brings extensive expertise in strategic, business and financial management, making him a credible leader in strengthening the direction of MRC and the competitiveness of the Malaysian rubber industry globally. Commenting on the extension of his term of service, Mohamad Suparadi said he is honoured to accept the responsibility once again, stressing that MRC is now at an important phase in its transformation journey. 'The extension is also a trust to ensure that the direction of MRC's transformation continues to be strengthened and in line with the needs of the industry and the demands of the international market,' he said. The extension coincides with the MRC's 25th anniversary celebration since its establishment in 2000. The MRC's 25th anniversary this year is themed 'Driving Sustainable Industry'. The MRC continues to strengthen its role as a proactive, resilient and progressive agency in the face of the changing landscape of the global rubber industry including geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
MRC extends Mohamad Suparadi's service for another two years
MRC Board of Trustees chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) has extended the term of office of its Board of Trustees chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor for another two years, effective June 1, 2025 until May 31, 2027. MRC said in a statement today that the extension reflects the continued confidence of Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani in Mohamad Suparadi's leadership in driving the progress of the country's rubber products industry. First appointed in 2023, Mohamad Suparadi brings extensive expertise in strategic, business and financial management, making him a credible leader in strengthening the direction of MRC and the competitiveness of the Malaysian rubber industry globally. Commenting on the extension of his term of service, Mohamad Suparadi said he is honoured to accept the responsibility once again, stressing that MRC is now at an important phase in its transformation journey. "The extension is also a trust to ensure that the direction of MRC's transformation continues to be strengthened and in line with the needs of the industry and the demands of the international market," he said. The extension coincides with the MRC's 25th anniversary celebration since its establishment in 2000. The MRC's 25th anniversary this year is themed 'Driving Sustainable Industry'. The MRC continues to strengthen its role as a proactive, resilient and progressive agency in the face of the changing landscape of the global rubber industry including geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. - Bernama
Barnama
30-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
300 Tanah Merah Students To Benefit From MRC's 'Tuisyen Pintar Santuni MADANI' Programme
TANAH MERAH, May 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) has launched the 'Tuisyen Pintar Santuni MADANI' programme aimed at benefiting 300 students, particularly from Kampung Padang Siam and Kampung Sat here. MRC chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor said the programme is implemented under the 'Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung' initiative, also known as Santuni MADANI. Its goal is to enhance the potential of villages and the capabilities of communities through direct monitoring and engagement, aiming to identify socioeconomic issues and local needs. "This tuition programme is a community education initiative designed to enhance academic performance among students preparing for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, particularly those in this district. "It will run from June to November this year concurrently at Masjid Mukim Padang Siam and Sekolah Menengah Ugama (Arab) Al-Fitrah, Kampung Sat, as an intensive preparation for SPM candidates," he told Bernama after launching the programme at Masjid Mukim Padang Siam here today. Mohamad Suparadi added that the programme is structured around four core objectives that complement each other in strengthening the community education ecosystem. "First, it aims to increase access to quality education for students in need, especially those from low-income families, through the provision of intensive and structured tuition classes. "Second, the programme focuses on improving academic performance in core subjects, namely Bahasa Melayu, English, History, Mathematics, and Science. This focus was chosen due to the importance of these subjects in public exams and their relevance to students' academic future and careers," he said. He added that the initiative also aims to create synergy among parents, teachers, and students by encouraging comprehensive and collaborative support for the learning process, thereby fostering a competitive educational environment. "The final objective is to instil awareness among the community about the importance of education as a foundation for sustainable and inclusive national progress.
