Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) is drawing up its Strategic Plan 2026-2030 to chart a more sustainable path for the country’s rubber industry, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He stated that the plan will function as a roadmap to enhance productivity, promote innovation through research and development, bolster support services, and improve the operational efficiency and governance within the MRB.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the strategic plan is structured around four main pillars: enhancing rubber productivity for long-term industry sustainability, advancing research and development for growth and innovation, empowering support services to strengthen the industry’s ecosystem, and strengthening the MRB’s operational efficiency and governance. Johari emphasized the importance of addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges within the natural rubber (NR) industry as global demand for sustainable products rises.
Johari noted that the ministry, along with MRB, is committed to ensuring compliance with international sustainability standards, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation, set to take effect on December 30, 2025. The Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber (MSNR) agenda aims to reinforce the sustainability framework for the rubber sector. MSNR is a recognition granted to MRB license and permit holders, promoting sustainable practices in natural rubber production through regulatory and enforcement measures.
He further mentioned that the Standard Operating Procedure for MSNR was developed with careful consideration of legal requirements and supply chain traceability within Malaysia’s rubber industry. Malaysia’s commitment to international sustainability standards was highlighted by the launch of the first MSNR-compliant Malaysian rubber export to the European Union on December 12, 2024.
Johari also announced the extension of the MSNR initiative, formerly implemented only in Peninsular Malaysia, to Sabah and Sarawak. This extension has been endorsed by the Sabah Rubber Industry Board and the Sarawak Rubber Industry Board.