Seedlinks the News Pulse of Malaysian Timber Certification Council
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Malaysian Timber Certification Council Vol.3 [July - September 2020] SEEDLINKS THE NEWS PULSE OF MALAYSIAN TIMBER CERTIFICATION COUNCIL Photo by Chuah Chai Hong ► Page 3 ► Page 5 ► Page 6 21ST AGM: BETTER MTCC BRIEFS KELANTAN CREATING AWARENESS FINANCIAL STATE FOR STATE FORESTRY SMALL AMONGST LOCAL MTCC IN 2019 COMMITTEE ON MTCS COMMUNITIES ON CERTIFICATION VALUES MTCC Chairman, MTCC had an audience with the Kamaruzaman Mohamad Menteri Besar of Kelantan, Dato’ MTCC participated in a seminar Ahmad Yakob and members of reported that the accounts on Communities and the the State Forestry Committee Malaysian Timber Certification have been properly drawn up (JKKP) on 22 September to brief Scheme (MTCS) organised by in accordance with the on the requirements of the Samling Sdn Bhd on 25 Malaysian Financial Reporting Malaysian Timber Certification September in Miri, Sarawak. Standards, International Scheme (MTCS) and its The objective of the seminar Financial Reporting Standards importance to the forestry and was to create awareness on and the requirements of the timber industry in Malaysia. certification process and to Companies Act 2016 so as to provide a platform for an open give a true and fair view of the discussion on how the financial position of MTCC as requirements of certification of 31 December 2019. standard could benefit the local communities. 2019 MTCC ANNUAL REPORT We are pleased to inform that the 2019 MTCC Annual Report is now available. Please click here or scan the QR code to be directed to the Annual Report page. SEEDLINKS is a quarterly e-newsletter published by MTCC and is available for download at www.mtcc.com.my www.mtcc.com.my 1 Malaysian Timber Certification Council Vol.3 [July - September 2020] A NOTE FROM THE CEO Dear Reader, In a media statement on the Economic and Financial Developments in Malaysia in the Second Quarter of 2020 released on 14 August, Bank Negara says the Malaysian economy is forecasted to grow within the range of -3.5% to -5.5% in 2020, before bouncing back within a growth range of 5.5% to 8.0% in 2021. But, the outlook is subject to the uncertainties surrounding commodity and global prices as well as the emerging developments of COVID- 19. Speaking at the General Debate of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 26 September, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin said various structural economic reforms and economic revitalisation programmes have been put in place to address the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he said, balancing between kick-starting the Malaysian economy and implementing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to curb further waves of infection “has been nothing short of challenging.” Echoing the Prime Minister’s statement, weathering the pandemic impact to ensure smooth- flowing implementation process of the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) is not an easy task for MTCC. Thus, despite the projected growth of the country’s economy, we are steadfast in continuing our effort to help our multi-stakeholders remain resilient, buoyant and vigilant in this challenging time. Strictly adhering to the SOPs to contain the virus spread remains at the top of MTCC’s agenda when it comes to organising events and activities for our stakeholders. For instance, the introduction of the Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management (MC&I SFM) was conducted via a webinar in July, while the revised PEFC International Chain of Custody Standard, PEFC ST 2002:2020 Chain of Custody of Forest and Tree Based Products-Requirements, was introduced to the multi-stakeholders through a series of online briefings via Zoom in September. On other developments, MTCC recently had a meeting with the Menteri Besar of Kelantan, Dato’ Ahmad Yakob and members of the State Forestry Committee where the state has pledged its commitment to reobtain forest management certification. A study to evaluate the implementation of forest certification, specifically the MTCS in Malaysia, is underway. The study, Impact of MTCS on Forest Management, Industry and Trade, is being carried out by the Institute of Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and MTCC. Last but not least, I am pleased to welcome Mr Pubadi Govindasamy from the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities as the new MTCC board member effective 1 September 2020. He replaces Ms Eleine Juliana Malek who ended her tenure to further her studies. We wish Ms Eleine well in her future endeavours. Stay safe, everyone! Yong Teng Koon Chief Executive Officer WWW.MTCC.COM.MY 2 Malaysian Timber Certification Council Vol.3 [July - September 2020] GENERAL NEWS 21ST AGM: BETTER MTCC Chairman, Kamaruzaman Mohamad tabled FINANCIAL STATE FOR the Audited Financial Reports of MTCC for the MTCC IN 2019 financial year ended 31 December 2019 together with the Reports of the Trustees and Auditors. The The 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MTCC Chairman reported that the accounts have been was held at its office premises on 28 July. The properly drawn up in accordance with the main aims of the AGM were to receive and adopt Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards, MTCC Annual Report 2019, and to receive and International Financial Reporting Standards and adopt the Audited Financial Reports of MTCC for the requirements of the Companies Act 2016 so as the financial year ended 31 December 2019 to give a true and fair view of the financial position together with the Reports of the Trustees and of MTCC as of 31 December 2019. He was Auditors. pleased to highlight the overall better financial state of the Council last year with an increase of In presenting the Annual Report, MTCC CEO, RM6,289,881 or 7.01% in the “Total Equity and Yong Teng Koon highlighted the various Liabilities” as compared to 2018. achievements of MTCC in 2019. He singled out the successful conduct of the 20th anniversary As a result of travel restriction imposed by the celebration, the adoption of the revised Vision and Covid-19 pandemic, it was a first for the AGM to Mission, and the MTCC Strategy 2020-2025 as have members participating both physically and the key highlights for the year. Yong said the virtually. Also, in attendance were some members revised Vision encapsulates MTCC’s of the Board of Trustees, MTCC Company determination to see Malaysia as “A nation that Secretary and a representative from the external appreciates and internalises the full value and auditor firm, Messrs Mazars. contribution of forest towards global sustainability” and the MTCC Strategy 2020-2025 serves as the shorter-term measures toward this endeavour. The 21st Annual General Meeting in progress WWW.MTCC.COM.MY 3 Malaysian Timber Certification Council Vol.3 [July - September 2020] VISITS TO MTIB AND MTC The visits were aimed at strengthening the relationships between MTCC, MTIB and MTC, as MTCC Chairman, Kamaruzaman Mohamad led well as discussing the potential for further the MTCC management team to visit the collaborations amongst the three agencies Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and the towards advancing the forestry sustainability Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) at Menara agenda and timber sector in Malaysia. PGRM in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur on 8 September. During the visit to MTIB, the MTCC management The MTCC team comprised MTCC CEO, Yong team was briefed on MTIB’s operations by its Teng Koon, Senior Manager (Forest Director General, Mohd Kheiruddin Mohd Rani. At Management), Siti Syaliza Mustapha, Manager MTC, Kamaruzaman and the MTCC team received (Product), Sabrina Mawasi and Senior Executive a warm welcome by MTC Chairman, Mazli Zakuan (Public Relations and Marketing), Muhammad Mohd Noor. The team was enlightened on MTC’s Hasif Azizan. roles and functions by its acting CEO, Wong Kah Cane. The team also visited the MTC Timber Gallery during the trip. One for the album: The MTCC team with the MTIB management A get-together with the MTC family Briefing in progress Meeting with MTC Chairman and Acting CEO MTCC Chairman, Kamaruzaman Mohamad with the MTCC team during the discussion at MTIB Visit to the MTC Timber Gallery WWW.MTCC.COM.MY 4 Malaysian Timber Certification Council Vol.3 [July - September 2020] KTK DIVISION OFFICERS VISIT MTCC A management team from the Timber, Tobacco and Kenaf Development Division (KTK), Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities visited MTCC on 15 September. Led by its Senior Under Secretary, Pubadi Govindasamy, the team’s visit was aimed at understanding MTCC’s roles and functions as well as strengthening working relationship between the KTK Senior Under Secretary, Pubadi Govindasamy with MTCC two organisations. They were briefed by MTCC CEO, Yong Teng Koon. CEO, Yong Teng Koon on the Council and its operations as well as the various issues and challenges faced in implementing the MTCS. Joining Pubadi in the visit were Principal Assistant Secretary, Jackson Raao Devadas and Assistant Secretary, Emilia anak Gunggu. CEO Yong briefing the KTK team MTCC BRIEFS KELANTAN STATE FORESTRY COMMITTEE ON MTCS MTCC Chairman, Kamaruzaman Mohamad accompanied by CEO Yong Teng Koon and Senior Manager (Forest Management) Siti Syaliza Mustapha had an audience with the Menteri Besar of Kelantan, Dato’ Ahmad Yakob and members of the State Forestry Committee (JKKP) in Kota Bahru on 22 September. The JKKP was briefed on the requirements of the Briefing to the State Forestry Committee in progress MTCS, the importance of certification for the forestry and timber industry, as well as the latest status on forest management certification in Kelantan. Ensuing from the briefing and follow-up discussion, the JKKP reiterated its commitment to implement sustainable forest management and reobtain forest management certification under the MTCS. MTCC Chairman, Kamaruzaman Mohamad presenting a token of appreciation to the Kelantan Menteri Besar, Dato’ Ahmad Yakob WWW.MTCC.COM.MY 5 Malaysian Timber Certification Council Vol.3 [July - September 2020] CREATING AWARENESS Six papers were presented at the one-day AMONGST LOCAL seminar.