Monday 31 August 2009
Malaysia celebrated her 52nd Birthday today! In the Star, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad splashed out a full page advertisement, wishing all Malaysians A Happy 52nd Merdeka. The advert carried a beautiful image of 3 little chidren brandishing the Jalur Gemilang, against the background of an oil palm plantation. I thought this is a very symbolic image of the future of Malaysia - One Nation. One Dream.
The night before on Astro, I was attracted to the Cerita Anak Malaysia (CAM), featuring Chef Wan, the No I in the World Celebrity Chef. I did not know that Chef Wan grew up in the midst of the oil palm in a
FELDA Scheme in the sixties. He seemed nostalgic in the episode which was shot at his kampung, reminded him how he toiled the land with his father and brothers, performed the assisted pollination, carried the big Fresh Fruit Bunches(FFB), cried out for his father when he saw snakes sliding through the palms in the late evenings before going back home.Definitely, Chef Wan is a second generation FELDA settler, and a very succesful one at that. Congratulations to him, with his passion for cooking and a dtermination to be successful, he travelled around the world, but never forgetting his roots. A true Malaysian!
P/S I remembered Chef Wan well when we invited him over to Rumah PUSPANITA in the late 1990s to grace the occassion of A Cooking Demo using Palm Oil. Of course, the ladies enjoyed his joke here and there....macam mak nenek!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Joint Ventures(JV)
Monday 24 August 2009
Today, I read the Star and agree totally with our YAB Prime Minister when he said that RISDA, FELCRA, and FELDA should form a business consortium to carry out critical downstream activities. He said he was confident that the threeagricultural agencies could multiply their profits and eradicate poverty by working together. "The three remain separate but the projects can be carried out together through a consortium.
He further suggested that these agro aagencies could jointly set up a palm oil mill so that the oil palm fruits harvested at their plantations be sent at one processing centre to extract the oil, resulting in bigger economic profits for all. As a Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Najib could see the macro outlook of strategic partnership, the economics of integrating facilities for the economic benefit of the stakeholders in such a joint venture. Afterall, it is for the ultimate aim of producing more palm oil for the country.
As a former government servant, I look forward to such innovative approach in national development. I am pretty sure such an idea never occurred in the minds of the CEOs of the agencies concerned because each Management is too busy trying to better their corporate performance, maybe solving problems at the micro level that they cannot see the macro side of things ie local joint ventures with sister organizations.. We need such Think Big ideas to benefit the rakyat.
Today, I read the Star and agree totally with our YAB Prime Minister when he said that RISDA, FELCRA, and FELDA should form a business consortium to carry out critical downstream activities. He said he was confident that the threeagricultural agencies could multiply their profits and eradicate poverty by working together. "The three remain separate but the projects can be carried out together through a consortium.
He further suggested that these agro aagencies could jointly set up a palm oil mill so that the oil palm fruits harvested at their plantations be sent at one processing centre to extract the oil, resulting in bigger economic profits for all. As a Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Najib could see the macro outlook of strategic partnership, the economics of integrating facilities for the economic benefit of the stakeholders in such a joint venture. Afterall, it is for the ultimate aim of producing more palm oil for the country.
As a former government servant, I look forward to such innovative approach in national development. I am pretty sure such an idea never occurred in the minds of the CEOs of the agencies concerned because each Management is too busy trying to better their corporate performance, maybe solving problems at the micro level that they cannot see the macro side of things ie local joint ventures with sister organizations.. We need such Think Big ideas to benefit the rakyat.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Knowledge Sharing
On Wednesday 19 August, I was invited as a guest lecturer to give a talk to a group of Masters Students taking the Masters in Library Studies at UiTM Campus Puncak Perdana, Shah Alam. Prof Dr Szarina in particular wanted me to talk on Information Entrepreneurship, a subject very new to our local library and information scene. I was at first reluctant to take up the offer because I had to dig up my files and I did not know where to retrieve them. Well, she persuaded me nevertheless, and of course deep in my heart, I felt it an obligation that I must do it. I believe knowledge must be imparted and must be shared, especially amongst young people who are enthusiastic to learn and thirsty for knowledge.
As I walked into the lecture room, I could see the smiles on the fresh young faces and I know I must make my talk interesting. Of course, I have already prepared my slide presentation, so it was an easy task for me running through the presentation. I broke the monotony by asking what is it that made them want to take up librarianship as a degree. They answered me well but I was not convinced with some of the answers, like they knew better how to look for information and references, compared to their friends who were not taught the skills to source for information.
I hope my talk has inspired them to internalise all the information, knowledge and experiences that they undergo while studying for their Masters and try to translate them for application in their future jobs and their workplaces upon their return.
I did exactly that whenever I went overseas to deliver a paper at any Conference or upon return from any Familiarization Visit sent by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board(MPOB). I would always be looking out for new and interesting features that I would be able to adopt and adapt at my workplace upon my return. I told the students also that as librarians and knowledge workers, we should "menghayati" what it is that we can develop into an anchor product and/or service out of the resources that we handle everyday at our workplace. For MPOB, it is the R&D findings which actually are the corporate assets, the Intellectual Property(IP) that I had capitalised on and processed them into a database, PALMOILIS, which is now being subscribed by members of the palm oil industry. I told them that we should listen to our readers, our customers, what actually they want from our information service.
When I retired from government service at the end of 2005, I have left behind a 'legacy' (if I may use the term), a one-stop reference and information centre on oil palm /palm oil, providing a good physical environment for my dedicated staff to work in, an all-encompassing science and technology centre on the R&D achievements of the commodity, and a tourist attraction for the general public to know more about Malaysia's Golden Crop. See it for yourself at http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/Vtour/index.htm
Monday, August 17, 2009
Orang Utans to the Rescue
August 18 2009
Today in the Star 18 August 2009, I saw an article which delighted me tremendously. Rhino rescue - Tam, a mature male found wandering in an oil palm estate a year ago, will be the first resident of a new rhino sanctuary in Sabah. The sanctuary is an initiative jointly set up by Sime Darby Foundation and the Sabah Governmnet. Congratulations to Sime Darby, the biggest conglomerate player in the Malaysian palm oil industry! The company will be pumping in RM7.3 million, including RM5mil for the infrastructure to build the 4,500ha for the rhinos in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The project is part of Sime Darby's Big 9 campaign to protect 9 endangered Malaysian animal species - the Sumatran Rhino, Orang Utan, Hornbill, Sun Bear, Banteng(Wild Cattle), Clouded Leopard, Pygmy Elephant, Proboscis Monkey and the Malayan Tiger. Good for the Orang Utans. This is a noble act not only to preserve our own species, but also to show the world that Malaysian oil palm industry is not destroying the natural habitat of the Orang Utans.
Today in the Star 18 August 2009, I saw an article which delighted me tremendously. Rhino rescue - Tam, a mature male found wandering in an oil palm estate a year ago, will be the first resident of a new rhino sanctuary in Sabah. The sanctuary is an initiative jointly set up by Sime Darby Foundation and the Sabah Governmnet. Congratulations to Sime Darby, the biggest conglomerate player in the Malaysian palm oil industry! The company will be pumping in RM7.3 million, including RM5mil for the infrastructure to build the 4,500ha for the rhinos in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The project is part of Sime Darby's Big 9 campaign to protect 9 endangered Malaysian animal species - the Sumatran Rhino, Orang Utan, Hornbill, Sun Bear, Banteng(Wild Cattle), Clouded Leopard, Pygmy Elephant, Proboscis Monkey and the Malayan Tiger. Good for the Orang Utans. This is a noble act not only to preserve our own species, but also to show the world that Malaysian oil palm industry is not destroying the natural habitat of the Orang Utans.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Palm Oil - Economic Indicator
August 15 2009
I also subscribe to Palm Oil HQ Daily Update based in United Kingdom. In the August 15 issue, Palm Oil was declared as an Economic Indicator. Palm Oil has become an accurate measure of the global markets. This recognition surely would boost up palm oil's image. I quote the article as follows:
"For years, economists, along with everyone else, thought of palm oil as exactly what it looked like: a pinkish, sludgy irrelevance. People knew it was used to make food and soap....In 2009, palm oil has not changed its colour or texture, but as an economic indicator, it is unrecognisable. In a world of food and economic crises, of credit implosions, green politics and the rise of Asia, it has become the guage that straddles them all - the ultimate global speedometer. Through its price fluctuations and ever-changing trade destinations. palm oil has become an accurate measurement of hundreds of global markets. It versatility is the key, which is the main reason why the world consumes 42 million tonnes a year - twice as much as it did a decade ago. Palm oil demand is a reading of a global population trying to feed and power itself under challenging circumstamces. "
The article cited a few examples of palm oil as an economic indicator. The growth of palm oil has tracked the rising wealth of the middle classes in China and India, the big traditional markets of palm oil. As a biofuel stock, palm oil can meet a similar demand with energy, offering an alternative strategy when the markets are knocked out of kilter. In Malaysia and Indonesia, whic between them meet about 87% of the global demand, palm oil price movements dictate government policy, shape economic prospects and draw billions of foreign direct investments(FDI). Malaysian Palm Oil - No 1 in the World.
I also subscribe to Palm Oil HQ Daily Update based in United Kingdom. In the August 15 issue, Palm Oil was declared as an Economic Indicator. Palm Oil has become an accurate measure of the global markets. This recognition surely would boost up palm oil's image. I quote the article as follows:
"For years, economists, along with everyone else, thought of palm oil as exactly what it looked like: a pinkish, sludgy irrelevance. People knew it was used to make food and soap....In 2009, palm oil has not changed its colour or texture, but as an economic indicator, it is unrecognisable. In a world of food and economic crises, of credit implosions, green politics and the rise of Asia, it has become the guage that straddles them all - the ultimate global speedometer. Through its price fluctuations and ever-changing trade destinations. palm oil has become an accurate measurement of hundreds of global markets. It versatility is the key, which is the main reason why the world consumes 42 million tonnes a year - twice as much as it did a decade ago. Palm oil demand is a reading of a global population trying to feed and power itself under challenging circumstamces. "
The article cited a few examples of palm oil as an economic indicator. The growth of palm oil has tracked the rising wealth of the middle classes in China and India, the big traditional markets of palm oil. As a biofuel stock, palm oil can meet a similar demand with energy, offering an alternative strategy when the markets are knocked out of kilter. In Malaysia and Indonesia, whic between them meet about 87% of the global demand, palm oil price movements dictate government policy, shape economic prospects and draw billions of foreign direct investments(FDI). Malaysian Palm Oil - No 1 in the World.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Palm Oil Cosmetics & Pharmaceutical Products
Saturday 15 August 2009
I subscribe to MongaBay Weekly Newsletter dedicated to environmentalism and preservation of Mother Nature. An article in the August 13 issue reported that LUSH Cosmetics., a leading cosmetics-maker, will no longer use Palm Oil due to environmental concerns over its production. LUSH, which is now selling a palm oil-free soap, has launched a two-pronged campaign to make consumers aware of the impact of palm oil cultivation on tropical forests and encourage other consumer product companies, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Nestle to reformulate their products using alternatives to palm oil.
This is not favourable to palm oil at all. If the big consumers of palm oil like P&G, Unilever and Nestle were to stop using palm oil in their formulations, it will have an impact on our export figures. But we do hope that these big players will brush aside Lush's campaign because these companies know better that palm oil is the best oil for their products, and in some cases, palm oil is an irreplaceable ingredient to maintain product quality. No oil does it better than Palm Oil.
I subscribe to MongaBay Weekly Newsletter dedicated to environmentalism and preservation of Mother Nature. An article in the August 13 issue reported that LUSH Cosmetics., a leading cosmetics-maker, will no longer use Palm Oil due to environmental concerns over its production. LUSH, which is now selling a palm oil-free soap, has launched a two-pronged campaign to make consumers aware of the impact of palm oil cultivation on tropical forests and encourage other consumer product companies, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Nestle to reformulate their products using alternatives to palm oil.
This is not favourable to palm oil at all. If the big consumers of palm oil like P&G, Unilever and Nestle were to stop using palm oil in their formulations, it will have an impact on our export figures. But we do hope that these big players will brush aside Lush's campaign because these companies know better that palm oil is the best oil for their products, and in some cases, palm oil is an irreplaceable ingredient to maintain product quality. No oil does it better than Palm Oil.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Palm Oil vis-a-vis Coconut Oil
Tuesday 11 August 2009
StarSpecial Monday 10 August 2009 carried an article "The Miracle Oil". And the oil meant here is Virgin Coconut Oil(VCO). A local company Ori Health Sdn Bhd is the developer of a host of coconut oil-based beauty products under the label Orifera. According to the General Manager, VCO in fact promotes weight loss by increasing our body's metabolic rate so that it burns more calories. " Studies have also shown that VCO provides many other health benefits including improved absorption of vitamins and minwerals, improved thyroid function, heart health, detoxification and faster healing from illnesses and injuries." Ori products are certified Halal and has the USFDA accreditation.
Similarly, palm oil-based beauty products too share similar attributes, and more. More, because palm oil contains the highest amount of Vitamin E compared to other oils. Vitamin E in beauty creams and products delays the ageing process.
StarSpecial Monday 10 August 2009 carried an article "The Miracle Oil". And the oil meant here is Virgin Coconut Oil(VCO). A local company Ori Health Sdn Bhd is the developer of a host of coconut oil-based beauty products under the label Orifera. According to the General Manager, VCO in fact promotes weight loss by increasing our body's metabolic rate so that it burns more calories. " Studies have also shown that VCO provides many other health benefits including improved absorption of vitamins and minwerals, improved thyroid function, heart health, detoxification and faster healing from illnesses and injuries." Ori products are certified Halal and has the USFDA accreditation.
Similarly, palm oil-based beauty products too share similar attributes, and more. More, because palm oil contains the highest amount of Vitamin E compared to other oils. Vitamin E in beauty creams and products delays the ageing process.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Saturday 8 August 2009
Low carbon era is coming. Malaysia must do more to embrace green technology or risk losing out when fossil fuels become obsolete, so said Datu Saw Choo Boon, CEO Shell Malaysia in Star Biz 6 August 2009. He continued, " Going green is about new technology...technology-based companies should also look into researching new, more efficient, renewable energy. There is a lack of awareness among Malaysians on what going green meant. To many, green means spending a weekend indulging in some gotong royong work, but it is more than that.\
The palm oil industry has always been on the right track in its goal towards sustainable development of the Industry. Roundtable on the Sustainability of Palm Oil(RSPO) has always been champioing the this cause.
Low carbon era is coming. Malaysia must do more to embrace green technology or risk losing out when fossil fuels become obsolete, so said Datu Saw Choo Boon, CEO Shell Malaysia in Star Biz 6 August 2009. He continued, " Going green is about new technology...technology-based companies should also look into researching new, more efficient, renewable energy. There is a lack of awareness among Malaysians on what going green meant. To many, green means spending a weekend indulging in some gotong royong work, but it is more than that.\
The palm oil industry has always been on the right track in its goal towards sustainable development of the Industry. Roundtable on the Sustainability of Palm Oil(RSPO) has always been champioing the this cause.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Integrated Farming - the Agropolitan way
Thursday 6 August 2009
I read with deep interest the agropolitan project to eradicate hard core poverty announced by the PM when he launched it in Runchang in his home constituency in Pekan, Pahang. The Agropolitan project in Pekan is one of the milestones under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) masterplan to balance development growth between rural and urban areas, and accelerate rural economic growth through agricultural activities and farm-based industry. The participants will be involved in oil palm plantation and sheep rearing as primary activities while supplementing their household income via secondary activities in downstream palm oil initiatives and sheep farming.
On a smaller scale, this idea was introduced by MPOB to oil palm smallholders many years ago under the Integrated Farming Concept, whereby smallholders were given training to rear sheep and cattle in their oil palm plantations to supplement their incomes.
The agropolitan project integrates various other diverse activities which hitherto are done independently on a small scale, such as mushroom planting, tailoring, tourism and homestay programmes, bird nests cultivation, as well as production of craftwork, aquaculture and aquaponics practices. To my mind, this is a grand approach to uplifting the economic life in the kampongs and should be taken seriuosly by all the existing government agencies involved in rural development work, including the new villages. Further, the whole programme can also be done on a strategic parnership basis with the big players in the oil/palm oil industry, like Sime Darby, FELDA, IOI, KL Kepong, etc.
I read with deep interest the agropolitan project to eradicate hard core poverty announced by the PM when he launched it in Runchang in his home constituency in Pekan, Pahang. The Agropolitan project in Pekan is one of the milestones under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) masterplan to balance development growth between rural and urban areas, and accelerate rural economic growth through agricultural activities and farm-based industry. The participants will be involved in oil palm plantation and sheep rearing as primary activities while supplementing their household income via secondary activities in downstream palm oil initiatives and sheep farming.
On a smaller scale, this idea was introduced by MPOB to oil palm smallholders many years ago under the Integrated Farming Concept, whereby smallholders were given training to rear sheep and cattle in their oil palm plantations to supplement their incomes.
The agropolitan project integrates various other diverse activities which hitherto are done independently on a small scale, such as mushroom planting, tailoring, tourism and homestay programmes, bird nests cultivation, as well as production of craftwork, aquaculture and aquaponics practices. To my mind, this is a grand approach to uplifting the economic life in the kampongs and should be taken seriuosly by all the existing government agencies involved in rural development work, including the new villages. Further, the whole programme can also be done on a strategic parnership basis with the big players in the oil/palm oil industry, like Sime Darby, FELDA, IOI, KL Kepong, etc.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Malaysia Palm
1MALAYSIA is set to become a very influential brand name to promote Malaysian business, among both domestic and global investors, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, at an UMNO meeting in Pagoh yesterday (3 August 2009). He said the concept was adopted by the Prime Minister to turn Malaysia into an excellent nation, giving priority to peoples' needs and makes performance of utmost importance.
Similarly, Malaysia Palm, the brand for palm oil, initiated by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council(MPOC), should project a better image of our palm oil and its products in the international market. The brand will differentiate palm oil products produced in Malaysia from products produced by other palm oil-producing countries, such as Indonesia, Thailand, South America.
Similarly, Malaysia Palm, the brand for palm oil, initiated by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council(MPOC), should project a better image of our palm oil and its products in the international market. The brand will differentiate palm oil products produced in Malaysia from products produced by other palm oil-producing countries, such as Indonesia, Thailand, South America.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Oil Palm - Environmentally Friendly
Monday 3 August 2009
I am now back in my beloved home country after being away for three weeks in London attending my son's graduation ceremony at Middlesex University. Yesterday Sunday 2 August 2009 while running through the papers, I came across an article regarding a resort right in the middle of an oil palm estate - FELDA Residence Hot Springs Sungai Klah in Perak.
The resort is nestled in the serene and lush forest patches, surrounded by hills and clear cold mountain streams and rivers. All 6.5 hectares enjoy the scenic view of well-tended oil palm plantation and durian orchard amidst a haven of tranquility.
I have actually heard about this tourist attraction which was previously known Taman Rekreasi Air Panas. To my mind, FELDA has done a wonderful job of transforming this place, highlighting the fact that the oil palm plantation is an environmentally friendly surrounding, coupled with the fact that there exist the natural hot springs within the resort. These two natural factors complimented each other and now the resort is very popular amongst tourists from Singapore, Japan and Korea. http://www.plantationresorts.com.my/Hotsprings/index_ap.shtml
To my mind, all other big players in the palm oil industry should emulate this innovative effort by FELDA to develop along this lines, hence strengthening the image that the Industry is a sustainable industry, that we care about our environment and that we preserve our natural flora and fauna in our quest to cultivate oil palm in our country.
I am now back in my beloved home country after being away for three weeks in London attending my son's graduation ceremony at Middlesex University. Yesterday Sunday 2 August 2009 while running through the papers, I came across an article regarding a resort right in the middle of an oil palm estate - FELDA Residence Hot Springs Sungai Klah in Perak.
The resort is nestled in the serene and lush forest patches, surrounded by hills and clear cold mountain streams and rivers. All 6.5 hectares enjoy the scenic view of well-tended oil palm plantation and durian orchard amidst a haven of tranquility.
I have actually heard about this tourist attraction which was previously known Taman Rekreasi Air Panas. To my mind, FELDA has done a wonderful job of transforming this place, highlighting the fact that the oil palm plantation is an environmentally friendly surrounding, coupled with the fact that there exist the natural hot springs within the resort. These two natural factors complimented each other and now the resort is very popular amongst tourists from Singapore, Japan and Korea. http://www.plantationresorts.com.my/Hotsprings/index_ap.shtml
To my mind, all other big players in the palm oil industry should emulate this innovative effort by FELDA to develop along this lines, hence strengthening the image that the Industry is a sustainable industry, that we care about our environment and that we preserve our natural flora and fauna in our quest to cultivate oil palm in our country.
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