Kuala lumpur: Malaysia exports more than RM33 billion worth of rubber and rubber-based products annually, driven by research and development (R and D) technologies developed by the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB). Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani highlighted that although Malaysia currently imports an average of RM7.5 billion worth of natural rubber each year due to domestic production shortfalls, strong downstream and processing technologies have enabled the country to maintain high-value exports.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johari emphasized the potential for growth in rubber production. He noted that Malaysia has 1.1 million hectares of rubber plantations, with only about 60 percent under cultivation, leaving roughly 40 percent inactive. The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is committed to utilizing 400,000 hectares of idle land for rubber planting. Johari stated that domestic natural rubber production is estimated at around 350,000 tonnes, which is sustainable, but demand exceeds one million tonnes. He encouraged investors to become more aggressively involved to strengthen Malaysia's position in the industry, particularly due to its leading role in R and D and technology.
Johari also mentioned that since its establishment, the MRB has commercialized over 200 R and D technologies and registered 394 patents, reinforcing Malaysia's position as a global rubber innovation hub. Meanwhile, MRB chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir announced that in conjunction with the 100-year Rubber Research Celebration, the MRB has launched the 2026-2030 Strategy Book. This strategy aims to address global challenges, international compliance requirements, and sustainability demands, with a focus on advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation.
Ahmad Badri expressed that the 100-year celebration marks the beginning of a new chapter, symbolizing humanity's ability to transform natural resources into future technology. He called on researchers, entrepreneurs, and the global community to continue collaborating, innovating, and moving forward to ensure that Malaysian rubber remains relevant, competitive, and an important commodity for future generations.