Akademi Hevea Malaysia

(a) What are the courses offered at AHM?

AHM offers short term courses in the upstream and downstream rubber sectors. As for the long term course, AHM offers certificate program in Dry Rubber Technology. Those interested in these courses can view the course schedule at AHM's website.

(b) What are the charges for courses?

Scheduled courses:
Local Participants = RM350/person/day
Foreign = USD 350/person/day
For unscheduled courses charges will be based on packages.

(c) What are the facilities available at AHM?

AHM is equipped with lecture rooms, library, lodge and cafeteria, auditorium, SMR factory and SMR testing laboratory, multipurpose hall, and surrounded by various recreational facilities.

(d) What are the charges for the facilities?

Lecture Rooms - RM 400.00/day
Auditorium - RM 1500/day
Multipurpose Hall - RM2000/day
Room Rates (lodging) - RM 80.00 (twin sharing), RM 90.00 (3 bedded)

(e) Where is AHM located?

AHM is located at the RRIES Research station, approximately 5km away from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor.

(f) How can payments be made for courses and lodging at AHM?

Payments can be made by debit card, credit card or cheque addressed to LEMBAGA GETAH MALAYSIA and mailed to:

Rector
Academy Hevea Malaysia
Stesen Penyelidikan RRIM
47000 Sungai Buloh
Selangor

(g) How to contact AHM?

Tel: +603-6145 9403
Fax: +603-6157 7637
Email: akademihevea@lgm.gov.my
GPS coordinate 3.1610° N, 101.5562° E

Recycling & Reclaiming of Rubber

(a) What is the difference between recycling of rubber and reclaiming rubber?

Recycling refers to the transforming of vulcanized rubber waste from its original form into various shapes and sizes for a specific use. One example of a product of this nature is tyre crumbs of various mesh sizes or granules.

Reclaiming of rubber refers to the original vulcanized rubber waste being completely transformed into a rubber compound which could be further used by rubber product manufacturers in their compounding formulation as polymer to blend with other polymers to lower their production cost. Reclaimed rubber could be obtained from scrapped, used or rejected rubber products, rubber wastes and compounds through mechanical or chemical extraction process.

(b) Why is recycling or reclaiming rubber important?

Vulcanised rubbers are typically non-biodegradable, and if their waste are not controlled, could contribute to various forms of pollution (to the air, water and soil). Reclaimed rubber is becoming more important due to the growing global concern and focus on environmental and pollution issues. It is the duty of manufacturers to carry out frequent audit of their operations to identify if any of their wastes contribute to pollution and act accordingly to meet the minimum standards set by the Department of Environment. One of the ways to overcome pollution is to conduct recycling and reclaiming of vulcanized rubber wastes to produce specific products.

(c) What are the advantage of using reclaiming rubber in rubber compounding?

1. Cheaper compound as compared to using virgin rubber;
2. Cleaner environment as fillers are already present in the reclaimed rubber, thus the incorporation of loose fillers in the final compound is reduced;
3. Better dimensional stability and finishing of extrudates;
4. Butyl reclaims could help to retain the splice strength of tubes;
5. Better flow in the mould during vulcanization, etc.

(d) Where can reclaimed rubber be used?

It could be used in low-end and low-value general rubber goods like car mats, shoe soles, carpet underlays, rubber stoppers and rubber sheets; and in industrial rubber goods such as conveyor beltings, adhesive tapes, masking tapes, etc. Reclaimed rubber is also used as fillers in tyres.

Licensing

1. Where is Licensing Policy and Permit Unit, Malaysian Rubber Board located?

Licensing Policy and Permit Unit is located at the 13th Floor, Bangunan Getah Asli (Menara), 148 Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur.

2. What are the categories of licenses, activities and fees charged?

Categories, activities and the fees charged are shown in the table below:

3. What is the application requirement for each category of license?

Terms for license applications for each category are as follows:

• Retail/Bulk
• Minimum capital of RM20,000
• Premises should be at least 100 meters from any river, residential and other sensitive areas
• Ratio of the total area of rubber plantation to licensees is 600 acres : 1 license
• The average purchase of licence holder (including the applicant) within a 2.4 kilometre radius of the premises applied for must not be less than 1,000 kg (wet) per day
• Premise application must be located at least 1.5 km from current/other premise.

• Trading
• Minimum capital of RM50,000

• Rubber Processing Factory
• Minimum paid-up capital of RM250,000 for SMR/Latex producer; RM100,000 for rubber compound producer; RM50,000 for crepe rubber producer
• Has approval from Fire and Rescue Department, Local Authority, Land and District Office and Department of Environment

• Estate
• Plantation should be over 40.46 hectares and is already yielding rubber

• Group
• Premise serves as a collection area and sales by tender only

• Rubber Product Factory
• Minimum paid-up capital of RM50,000
• Has approval from Fire and Rescue Department, Local Authority, Land and District Office and Department of Environment

• Rubber Glove Exporter
• Minimum paid-up capital of RM500,000
• If factory, must have rubber product manufacturing license

• Nursery
• Minimum capital of RM30,000
• Minimum area : 1 hectare
• Has a budding nursery and clones have been verified

4. What are the requirements for applying the additional activity of packing and export of rubber?

Terms for application are as follows:-

• Packing Rubber
• Only for Processor category only
• Minimum paid-up capital of RM 500,000 for non-bumiputera and RM300,000 for bumiputera

• Exporting Rubber
• Only for retail, trading and processing categories
• Malaysian Rubber Exchange (MRE) member
• Minimum paid-up capital of RM 500,000 for non-bumiputera and RM300,000 for bumiputera

5. What documents do I need?

1. Copy of company/business registration certificate
2. Form 24, 49 and copy of M&A for Sendirian Berhad companies
3. Copy of Identity card, bank statement/savings book (for individual applications only)
4. Suggested location plan of premise
5. Copy of land title/land use/rent permission letter (for retail licence)

6. How do I make an application?

1. Fill up the License Application Form (available at Licensing Policy and Permit Unit, MRB or at the nearnest LGM office or downloadable at www.lgm.gov.my)
2. Form and administration fee of RM 100 (cheque/money order/bank draft) payable to �Lembaga Getah Malaysia� may be sent in via post or personally at any MRB offices.

7. How long does the application process take?

All applications received will be processed and tabled at Licensing and Permit Meeting. If the application is approved, the licence will be issued within seven (7) days after all the prerequisites are met.

8. How will I know if my application has been approved or otherwise?

The MRB will inform applicants in writing. The letter will be released within five (5) days of receiving the minutes of meeting on the approval or otherwise.

9. How can I renew my licence?

Renewal applications must be made 60 days before the expiry date of the current licence by submitting renewal application form with a copy of the licence and required renewal fee. Renewal applications may be submitted to the nearest MRB office.

10. If I am a rubber entrepreneur from Sabah or Sarawak, where can I obtain information on rubber licences and regulations?

For those in Sabah, information may be obtained from Lembaga Industri Getah Sabah (LIGS). For Sarawak, information may be obtained from Jabatan Pertanian Sarawak (JPS).

11. What are other services provided by Licensing Policy and Permit Unit?

Other services by Licensing Policy and Permit Unit are:

1. Process and provide Rubber Export Permit
2. Endorsement of Certificate of Origin for rubber

12. What is Rubber Export Permit?

Rubber Export Permit is a permit issued by the MRB to export consignments of rubber.

13. What is the fee for Rubber Export Permit?

Fees are charged according to permit categories, as specified below:

14. What are the requirements for Rubber Export Permit?

Only applicants with a valid Export Licence are allowed to apply for Rubber Export Permit.

15. What compulsory document is required?

Copy of valid licence.

16. What is the application method for Rubber Export Permit?

1. Fill up the Application Form for Rubber Export Permit (available at Licensing Policy and Permit Unit, MRB or at the nearest LGM office or downloadable at www.lgm.gov.my)
2. Completed form, required documents and fee (cheque/money order/bank draft) payable to �Lembaga Getah Malaysia� may be sent in via post or personally at any MRB offices.

17. What is Certificate of Origin?

Certificate of Origin is a certificate that acknowledges that the rubber produced and exported is of Malaysian origin.

18. What is the fee required to apply Certificate of Origin for rubber?

The fee that is applicable is as per table below:

19. What are the requirements for applicatons for Certificate of Origin for rubber?

Applicants must have a valid Export Licence and has sent the yearly Indemnity letter.

20. What are the steps to apply for Certificate of Origin for rubber?

1. Fill up the application form.
2. Completed form, required documents and fee (cheque/money order/bank draft) payable to �Lembaga Getah Malaysia� may be sent in via post or personally at any MRB offices.

Malaysian Rubber Exchange

General

1. What are the key functions of the Malaysian Rubber Exchange (MRE)?

   The key functions of MRE are:

   1. To make arrangements and regulations for the proper conduct of the trade;
   2. To make and enforce bye-laws and contract terms of the MRE;
   3. To act as an arbitration center for the settlement of disputes;
   4. To provide facilities for co-operation in all matters affecting the trade;
   5. To safeguard the interests of the members of the MRE, in as far as the rules and regulations so allow.

2. How does the MRE support the rubber trade?

   MRE is one of the units in the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), set up for the promotion, development and proper conduct of rubber trade in Malaysia. To be in line with these roles, MRE has committees and panels represented by experts in the rubber trade including traders, processors, smallholders and even government representatives to identify core problems and taking the remedial step to resolve the issues related to the rubber trade. The committees and panels are:

   • MRE Management Committee (MC),
   • Price Review Committee (PRC),
   • Price Advisory Panel (PAP),
   • Committee Dispute Resolution (CDR),
   • Industry Discipline Committee (IDC), and
   • Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

1. Reference Price

   
   

   1. Where can I find daily natural rubber (NR) prices?

      MRE disseminates reference prices for physical rubber (Free on Board) twice daily, at 12.00 noon and 5.00 pm. Prices can be obtained at MRB website, http://www3.lgm.gov.my/mre. MRB prices are for reference only. Actual traded prices are subject to negotiations between buyers and sellers. MRB shall not be liable for any loss of any kind (whether directly or indirectly) for any reliance on the prices published by MRB.

   2. How to find the historical data for rubber prices?

      The historical prices from the year 2000 onwards can be obtained at http://www3.lgm.gov.my/mre. Another option is to contact directly to Malaysian Rubber Exchange through email mre@lgm.gov.my or call at 03-9206 2116, 03-2161 6591 or 03-2161 6592 to obtain the data.




2. MRE Membership

   
   

   1. What are the benefits of being a member of MRE?

      Company who register as MRE members will enjoy the facilities and benefits as follows:

      • MRE members are given the following periodicals free-of-charge:

        1. Daily Market Watch
        2. Malaysian Rubber Board Digest (monthly publication)
        3. KL Rubber Market Newsletter (monthly publication)
        4. Malaysian Rubber Review (quarterly publication)
        5. Poster on trends of SMR 20 prices and market factors (annual publication)
        6. MRE Membership Directory (annual publication)
      
      

      • MRE provides advisory services to all members who seek advices on the rubber trade for business decision making.

      • MRE acts as an arbitration centre for the settlement of disputes for those using the MRE contracts. MRE offers a reasonable fee exclusively for its members.

      • MRE endeavours to create a variety of networking platform such as seminar, trade mission and annual dinner and golf tournament to give members the opportunity to meet one other and potential new business partners.

   2. Are there different categories of membership?

      The Malaysian Rubber Exchange invites companies to become members of the Malaysian Rubber Exchange under the following two categories:-

      1. Ordinary Members

         For those who carry on or intend to carry on business in the rubber trade in Malaysia.

      2. Associate Members

         For those who carry on or intend to carry on business in any territory outside Malaysia; and are members in good standing of any recognized rubber trade association or commodity exchange connected with the rubber trade in that territory.

      Members will be registered in any one of the following Classes:

      1. Producers being planters or producers of rubber
      2. Brokers being rubber brokers
      3. Dealers being dealers, packers, millers, importers, exporters, shippers or in any other capacity within the rubber trade or industry not otherwise classified above
      4. Users being manufacturers of rubber products
   
   

   3. How much are the entrance fee to become MRE Member as well as the Annual Subscription Fee?

      The payment for membership fees as follows:-

      
      

      Fees	Ordinary Members	Associate Members
      Entrance Fee	RM 500.00	RM 750.00
      Annual Subscription Fee	RM 500.00	RM 750.00

      
      

3. MRE Arbitration

   
   

   1. What is the MRE Arbitration?

      It is a process whereby parties to a contract resolve their dispute which could not be done amicably. It is a voluntary matter before an impartial person, who renders a decision called an Award, ending the dispute. Arbitration for settlement of commercial disputes is an important aspect of commodity trading.

   2. What types of disputes does MRE Arbitration conduct?

      The MRE provides for the settlement of rubber trade disputes through arbitration under its "MRE Arbitration Rules". Arbitration at the MRE is allowed in the following four areas of disputes.

      1. Quality
      2. Quantity
      3. Packaging
      4. Non-performance of contract
   
   

   3. What are the benefits of arbitration?

      Arbitration is favoured as disputes are settled speedily and by arbitrators who are knowledgeable and experienced in the trade practices of the rubber trade.

   4. Can a party enter into MRE Arbitration without consent by the other party?

      No. Both parties should enter into a written arbitration agreement and give their consent in writing to such arbitration and agree to be bound by the MRE Rules and By-laws insofar they apply to arbitrations.

   5. How much are the Arbitrations Fees?

      The MRE Arbitrations Fees as follows:

      Scale Fees of Per Arbitration
      Fees	Member	Non-Member
      Filling Fee	RM 500.00	RM 1000.00
      Corporation Fee	RM 5000.00	RM 10000.00
      Arbitral Tribunal Fee	RM 15000.00	RM 24000.00