Rubber industry will continue to thrive, says Mah
SHAH ALAM: Malaysia’s rubber industry has a promising future following a significant increase in the export of rubber products, says Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
He added that exports of rubber and rubber-based products increased by 38.53% as of July this year.
Between January and July this year, exports of rubber and rubber-based products came to RM19.1bil compared to RM13.8bil for the same period last year.
“The increase is an incredible and encouraging figure in just seven months,” he said at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) here yesterday after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UiTM’s Infrastructure Engineering and Sustainable Management Institute (IIESM) and Doshin Rubber Products (M) Sdn Bhd.
The MoU aims to enhance research and development of rubber as an advanced material for sustainable and resilient construction in civil engineering, including using rubber-based materials to withstand earthquakes.
Doshin Rubber Products, a subsidiary of Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, is one of Malaysia’s largest manufacturers of rubber products for engineering purposes.
Also present were UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (industry community and alumni network) Prof Zaini Abdullah, IIESM director Prof Zakiah Ahmad, Kossan Rubber Industries group managing director Tan Sri KS Lim and Doshin Rubber Products director Or Tan Teng.
Mah noted that the incorrect perception of rubber industry being a sunset industry in Malaysia had to change.
“Maybe this is because people do not see many rubber estates around them now.
“But we must realise Malaysia is among the world’s top producers of world-class and high-end rubber products for advanced civil engineering applications.
“I went to Jakarta recently and saw the buildings there, and I noticed that the rubber seismic bearings used to protect structures from earthquakes are all Malaysianmade.
“So, we are actually at the top in this technology and we are supplying the products to all earthquake-prone countries.
“These high-technology products are designed and made in Malaysia. This is something we should be proud of,” he added.
Mah said the collaboration between UiTM and Doshin Rubber Products would provide a platform for skilled human resources required by the rubber industry.
He also said the ministry, through the Export Promotion Council, would introduce a RM3mil linkage fund next week to encourage research and development.