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Last Updated: 03 March 2022

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MEDIA RELEASE

DONATION OF MEDICAL GLOVES FROM SMART GLOVE
CORPORATION SDN BHD AND
MALAYSIA RUBBER EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL
(MREPC)

On behalf of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodity Industries (MPIC), I would like to express my gratefulness and appreciation to leadership of Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC) and Smart Glove Corporation Sdn. Bhd. who donated 500,000 rubber gloves each to the Ministry. At the Ministry level we have identified Government bodies especially those in the Front Liners to distribute this supply for their use.

As the Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodity Industries, I humbly express our gratitude here for the tremendous help we have received so timely as we are currently fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in our country as well as in every places in the world.

As we know, Malaysia is the world's number one rubber glove manufacturer. Malaysia is also the leading supplier of rubber gloves to the medical sector currently facing the critical condition of COVID-19. MREPC is one of the agencies in this Ministry responsible for promoting  domestic rubber products especially gloves, catheters, seismic bearing and so forth.

MREPC is working closely with the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) in ensuring that Malaysian standard gloves continue to be the top choice in the world.

MARGMA estimates that the global demand of rubber gloves are 330 billion units. Malaysia's exports this year alone are expected to be 225 billion units a year, which worth over RM20 billion compared to 170 billion units last year; of which generated export earnings of RM17.3 billion. Our country's rubber glove industry is very important as exports from Malaysia meet 65% of global demand.

In this regard, the Government through Ministry of International Trade and Industries and Ministry of Health has agreed to list medical and surgical devices especially glove manufacture to continue operating during the period of the Movement Control Order (CPP).

We will definitely focus on the rubber sector and I hereby advise all the rubber sectors to operate and gain relief during the Covid-19 outbreak, wherein they shall always in compliance with the SOP set by the Ministry. This is to enable them to operate without violation of the law imposed by the Government.

We have recently received a report on 2 rubber gloves that have been found to be in violation of regulations that leads to environmental pollution in our country. We do not want this to happen again and I urge all rubber industry operators to comply with all the directives set by the Government and the Ministry.

Last but not least, I once again take this opportunity to greatly thank all the parties involved in making this event a success today.

YB Tuan Willie Mongin
Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries & Commodities
16th April 2020

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Last Updated: 03 March 2022

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MEDIA STATEMENT

MPIC MINISTER ENDS DUBAI TRIP BY EMPHASIZING ON GREATER ROLES FOR WOMEN

Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) Minister, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, who strongly advocates women's rights, yesterday visited the "Women's Pavillion" at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Women's Pavillion unveils creative content and programming that will help reaffirm the Expo’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The pavilion aims to inspire all who enter its doors to become change-makers, breaking stereotypes and deconstructing misconceptions on women’s roles.

The pavilion features five structures with different narratives located on the ground floor: Introduction – expressing the purpose of the pavilion; Achievements – shining a light on women’s impact on the world; Challenges – acknowledging what is holding women back; Solutions – highlighting the initiatives enabling women to thrive so humanity can thrive; and Engaging with visitors – encouraging them to become champions of gender equality and women’s empowerment and take the journey forward.

Zuraida, who is also the founder and president of the Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders (Comwel) and long championed women's rights said she was happy that the contributions by women were celebrated and recognised at the Expo. “It has been proven that the voices of women are capable of paving greater positive changes and bringing about a better, harmonious and prosperous world. We must never forget that "the hand that rocks the cradle is able to shake the world"”, she said.

During her visit to the Expo from Jan 23 - 27, she also signed four MoUs worth about RM128 million involving industry players in the agricultural commodities sector. Among the MoUs include one between Sharjah Ports & Customs Free Zones Authority and the Timbers Exporters Association of Malaysian (Team) and another between Etlingera Sdn Bhd and Aromology Tradings LLC.

The MoUs were for strategic logistic partnerships, collaborations to encourage use of port and storage facilities aimed to enhance timber export performance in the region, and to also exploit Etlingera's expertise to conduct R&D to produce unique and high quality agarwood products. The other MoUs were between Etlingera Sdn Bhd & Malaccencis Sdn Bhd and the fourth involving the kenaf industry between Kenaf Venture Global dan Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia (BAPPENAS).

Zuraida also launched the Malaysian Rubber Products Virtual Showcase (MaRViS), an online platform that facilitates online business engagements between international buyers and Malaysian rubber product manufacturers. MaRViS is developed by the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) to facilitate online business engagements as well as virtual trade shows for Malaysian rubber product manufacturers and elevates the experience and trade potential with buyers globally regardless of geographical boundaries.

On women's rights, she said MPIC had made it a point to ensure women make up 34 per cent of board members and other positions in the various agencies under its purview. “In our ministry, we greatly recognise the roles played by women and want to ensure they are given a fair representation. Women have great potential and are very dedicated and often go beyond their expectations to ensure excellence in their work”, said Zuraida. She also said her ministry was also working toward offering greater opportunities for youth to also take up prominent positions where they can shine.

Overall, women holding decision-making positions in government agencies in Malaysia was currently at 38.2 per cent. “We have women as chairmen, chief executive officers and also as board members. Overall, we have a 34 per cent representation of women. Also, I want to stress here that all the women in our agencies are professionals and well qualified. No position was awarded to any of them as a token. We will continue to ensure fair women representation and urge other ministries to also given women equal opportunities”, added Zuraida.

Among the women board members and those in other positions in agencies under MPIC include Datuk Zunaidah Idris (Institute of Malaysian Plantation and Commodities (IMPAC); Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim (Malaysian Rubber Board); and Datuk Hazimah Zainudin (Malaysian Palm Oil Board).

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES

27 JANUARY 2022

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION UNIT

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Last Updated: 31 January 2020

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MEDIA RELEASE

_{^{IN SOLIDARITY WITH CHINA, MALAYSIA PLEDGES 18 MILLION PIECES OF MEDICAL GLOVES FOR THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN WUHAN}}

Malaysia is in full solidarity with the people of Wuhan, China, who are currently battling the the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) epidemic.

Whilst Malaysians are concerned about the spread of the virus to our shores, we are equally sympathetic towards China, especially given that the two countries share deep cultural and business ties which have been built over decades.

China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years, with trade growing 8.1% to RM313.8 billion in 2018. Culturally the two countries are intertwined by reason of their historical tryst.

At present, hospitals in Wuhan, the Central Chinese city, at the crux of the coronavirus outbreak, are calling for out for much needed protective medical supplies such as masks, suits and gloves, as supplies run low.

As our Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced on Wednesday that Malaysia would like to extend a helping hand and in that context, I am pleased that Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC) and the rubber gloves manufacturers in Malaysia have pledged to donate 18 million pieces of medical gloves to be sent to Wuhan.

It was during the Chinese New Year celebration that these companies were approached to contribute towards helping China in the effort of treating patients there.

Although many were still enjoying the break, the top leadership of the glove manufacturers in Malaysia stepped forward and gave their commitment in ensuring this initiative would be a success.

Malaysian glove industry players are prepared to be at the forefront of supplying high quality medical gloves to the world, especially in critical times such as this to battle against the outbreak and the current pandemic.

In 2014, Malaysia sent more than 20 million medical rubber gloves to five African nations (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria and Congo) which were battling the deadly Ebola virus, addressing the need of the medical workers in those countries at that time.

The medical gloves, both natural rubber and nitrile, will be sent to China in batches with the first shipment being already on its way to Wuhan.

Two companies, Top Glove and Supermax have already donated 2.3 million pieces of gloves through their local offices and distributors to Wuhan. Other glove companies that came forward to support the humanitarian drive are Smart Glove,Hartalega, Kossan, YTY, Brightway and Koon Seng.

Malaysia is currently the world leader in medical gloves, with approximately 180 billion pieces exported worldwide. In 2018, Malaysia’s glove exports contributed RM17.7 billion to the nation while in 2019, the export touched RM18 billion.

YB Teresa Kok
31 January 2020
Minister of Primary Industries

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Last Updated: 03 March 2022

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PRESS STATEMENT ON CLOSURE OF PLANTATION OPERATIONS IN SABAH DURING MCO

YAB Chief Minister of Sabah yesterday made an announcement on the closure of estate and mill operations to an additional 3 districts bringing the areas affected to about 65% of the total planted hectarage of 1.2 million hectares and 75% of production in Sabah involving about 100,000 workers.

The Industry fully appreciate and understand the State Government concerns on the rising trend of Covid 19 incidents happening in Sabah and measures taken to save lives and we fully support the concerns.

The Industry however is even more concerned on the social impact to the closure decision as well as the resulting consequential damage to the Industry. This closure shall result in:

1. Idle workers being confirmed to their home for long hours without practicing social distancing and living in close proximity that can lead to contact to the virus.

2. Difficulty and impossible to stop them from leaving and the possibility of them wandering around thus posing a security and crime threat as well as defeating the objective of the MCO. Imagine 50,000 workers doing so.

3. Risk of losing our estate and mill workers. They will resort to leaving the estate searching for jobs elsewhere or returning to their home country for good. (Not all Companies can afford to pay without work)

4. Resumption and normalization of operation when allowed shall pose a big challenge to the Industry without the required workers available to do so. Extended harvesting rounds, high FFA and default palm oil contracts are some of the examples on the immediate impact to operations.

The above only highlight the operational nightmare notwithstanding the potential revenue loss of about RM860 million for a month closure in Sabah. The loss in the 7.5% sales tax revenue to the Government amounting to about RM57 million could actually be used to support the fight to contain Covid 19 that benefits the Rakyat.

The Industry has already given its commitment to support the Government in its battle to contain the spread by introducing and adhering to radical and robust guidelines and SOPs at all our estates and mills. Included in our action is what we called “ Voluntary Lockdown “We are even agreeable to a temporary closure to our operating units that have employees affected by the Covid 19 and taking the necessary measures to cleanse and disinfect the affected premises.

Considering all the above factors, we humbly request and appeal to the Sabah State Government to reconsider their decision and allow us to resume operation ONLY for the essential and critical operation example harvesting, crop evacuation as well as milling during the MCO. The Industry strongly feels that we can better contain the spread by continuing operations rather than curbing them.

THANK YOU.