Director General's Message

One Nation Strategy

Realising the challenges facing the industry and to ensure the sustainability of the rubber industry in Malaysia, in May 2010, the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) launched the MRB and the Malaysian Rubber Industries (MRI) Strategies after consultation with the industry. In November 2010, a lab was conducted by PEMANDU and MRB with key industry players and as a result rubber was included in the New Key Economic Areas (NKEAs). The Rubber NKEA highlighted that the rubber industry’s contribution is significant with GNI in 2009 at RM18.5 billion and is expected to reach RM52.9 billion in 2020.

MRB with other relevant agencies have implemented Rubber NKEA for almost two years and realised that the strategies needs to be refreshed in this fast evolving industry. As such, MRB has been reviewing these strategies to ensure the objectives of NKEA are met. One key focus area is the expansion of MRB’s focus towards a more balanced portfolio covering both natural and synthetic rubber, given their relevance and importance to the overall rubber industry in Malaysia.

In ensuring the One Nation Strategy encompasses the industry, MRB has been engaging with respective associations on a one to one basis to get feedback dan detailed solutions. MRB has met with MRPMA, MARGMA, FRTAM, MCLPA, TRMAM, MSMRPA and PRIM.

The revision of these strategies is timely and crucial to address unresolved issues viz. declining rubber area, lack of labour and low productivity of smallholders. These revised strategies outlined the prioritisation, implementation and the expected outcomes for the period 2013-2015. The underlying thrust of the action plans is to ensure that barriers to the growth of the rubber industry are minimised or removed and the execution of the strategies at the right time would bring sustainable benefits to the stakeholders.

The new strategies proposed for MRB are consolidating of smallholdings through the establishment of the rubber management team (RMT), projecting environmental sustainability through carbon trading as well as online physical rubber trading. Active interactions between the industry and MRB shall ensure the impact of MRB research activities while formal interactions via scientific advisory committees will deepen MRB’s knowledge and ability to achieve excellence in the field of science and technology. Resources in MRB shall be managed in an effective and efficient manner towards achieving a self-sustainable organisation.

Aligning MRI and MRB strategies will ensure Malaysia remain as one of the major quality rubber and rubber related product exporters and MRB as a premier centre of excellence in rubber. This “One Nation Rubber Strategy” will drive the sustainability of the rubber industry in Malaysia and will eventually create additional wealth for the Nation by creating high value jobs and increased revenues through increased productivity and innovation. This will lead towards achieving the government’s aspiration of a high income economy by 2020.

Best Regards

Datuk Dr Salmiah Ahmad
Director General
Malaysian Rubber Board