MFC GC:
WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO SERVE AND FIGHT FOR THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY
Kuala Lumpur December 20, 2021 ~ The Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC) today has conducted the swearing-in ceremony for its 2021/2023 Governing Committee (GC) following its 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 3, 2021.
Held at the Hilton KL Hotel, the ceremony was attended by several Guest of Honour such as MPIC Minister YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin, MPIC Deputy Minister 1 YB Dato Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, FMM President Tan Sri Dato Soh Thian Lai, ACCCIM President Dato Low Kian Chuan, MATRADE Director of Lifestyle & Life Sciences Section Puan Zalela Jaafar, Executive Chairman of Jaycorp Tan Sri Abdul Majid Khan, Seniors Directors from MATRADE, Forestry Departments, Senior Officers from Ministries, and Industry Captains from Timber Associations.
The event commenced at 7pm where invited guests arrived to take their seats while socializing with friends, acquaintances or even renewing connections after being separated for almost 2 years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the arrival of the Guest of Honour, the event then proceeded with a speech by the Malaysian Furniture Council President Khoo Yeow Chong whom will be serving his second term following the swearing-in.
In his speech, Khoo noted that he was extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to serve for a second term.
“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 RM 12.86 billion for 2020 alone despite the numerous MCO’s.” 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.
Khoo mentioned however 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 FMCO 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 RCEP and CPTPP free trade agreement as soon as possible. Moving on to the speech by the MPIC Minister, YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida, she mentioned 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 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.
The event then proceeded to its climax which is the swearing-in of the 2021/2023 MFC Governing Committee. Under the new line-up, Khoo Yeow Chong is the President with Jeffery Eng as the Deputy President. The Honorary Secretary General is Matthew Law and assisted by Goh Song Huang (Hon. Dep Sec-Gen) and newcomer Leo Chiang (Hon. Dep Sec-Gen). As for the Honorary Treasurer position, it is once again filled by Chris Yau and assisted by his new deputy, Alan Teo. With most of the 2021/2023 GC consisting mostly from the 2019/2021 batch, it is hopeful that this will ensure continuity of the current projects and initiatives already undertaken by MFC prior to achieving
further success.
“We, the MFC GC for 2021/2023 will try our best to serve and fight for the furniture industry to the best of our ability” said the entire GC leadership. The event then concluded with a massive group photo to mark the momentous occasion and the presentation of a token of appreciation to the Guest of Honour.
