The Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC), the national trade body for Malaysia’s furniture industry, has recently conducted the swearing-in ceremony for its 2021/2023 Governing Committee following its 2021 Annual General Meeting on 3 Dec 2021.
Held at the Hilton KL Hotel, the ceremony was attended by several guests of honour, such as Minister of Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC), YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin; MPIC Deputy Minister 1 YB Dato Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng; president of Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, Tan Sri Dato Soh Thian Lai; president of The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, Dato Low Kian Chuan; director of Lifestyle & Life Sciences Section of MATRADE, Puan Zalela Jaafar; executive chairman of Jaycorp, Tan Sri Abdul Majid Khan; senior directors from Forestry Departments of MATRADE; Senior Officers from Ministries; and industry captains from Timber Associations.
Following the arrival of the guests of honour, MFC president Khoo Yeow Chong, who will be serving his second term after the swearing-in, expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve a second term.
During his speech, he said, “While the country has been facing COVID-19 for almost two years, the furniture industry remains steadfast by managing to register a record high export volume of RM12.86 billion for 2020 alone, despite the numerous movement control orders (MCOs).”
He added that this is clear indication that the furniture industry has a bright future as it provides much added value to a raw timber. However, he also mentioned that MFC has been working very hard behind the scenes, such as managing to persuade the government to allow the industry to be able to load and unload finished goods to be exported during the early days of the Full MCO to mitigate some of the losses suffered by members.
“With the country slowly reopening its borders, I remain optimistic and confident that things will only turn better for the furniture industry in the foreseeable future as we try to regain our spot as the top 10 largest furniture exporter in the world.”
He also urged that the government ratifies the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) free trade agreement as soon as possible.
The MPIC Minister, YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida, also gave a speech, mentioning that the furniture industry has been the lynchpin for the timber industry by taking up more than 50% of its total annual export. She also noted that collaborations such as the Bumiputera Smart Partnership Programme under Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and the Olak Lempit Vaccination Centre demonstrates the good relationship between the government and furniture industry which will only bring benefit to the country and its people.
Under the new line-up for the 2021/2023 MFC Governing Committee, Khoo Yeow Chong is the president with Jeffery Eng as the deputy president. The honorary secretary general is Matthew Law, assisted by Goh Song Huang and newcomer Leo Chiang as honorary deputy secretary generals. As for the honorary treasurer position, it is filled by Chris Yau again, assisted by his new deputy, Alan Teo.
With most of the 2021/2023 Governing Committee consisting mostly from the 2019/2021 batch, MFC expressed hope that this will ensure continuity of current projects and initiatives already undertaken by MFC prior.
