MALAYSIA: Sungai Buloh land redevelopment to further boost rubber industry

The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) will use proceeds from the redevelopment of prime land at its Sungai Buloh research facility to further uplift the local rubber industry and enhance its image.

MRB Director General Dr. Ms. Salmiah Ahmed said the monetization of the 1,300 ha of land belonging to the then Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) would enable MRB to modernize many of its facilities, including laboratories needed for advanced research and development (R&D).

MRB came into being in 1998 after the merger of RRIM, Malaysian Research & Development Board and Malaysian Rubber Exchange and Licensing Board.

Under the revamp, MRB will be allocated 243 ha for R&D activities with the rest of the area to be redeveloped as part of the Greater Kuala Lumpur Strategic Development Project initiative under the 10th Malaysian Plan.

“We must move with the times; we need new equipment and laboratories to conduct further research and help the industry to grow further,” Dr. Salmiah said.

(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)