Leadership

28 Dec 2012

The end of 2012 saw the demise of 2 stalwarts of the commodities industry in Malaysia. I relate to these 2 champions because they were also serving the palm oil industry when I was attached with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board(MPOB) commencing 1982-2005.
Tun Dr Lim Kheng Yaik was the Primary Industries Minister (1986-2004). The other was Tan Sri Wong Kum Choon, former Secretary-General of the Primary Industries Ministry who worked closely with Dr Lim throughout his tenure from 1972-1993. Wong passed away on Nov14 2012 while Lim on 22 December 2012.
Both these leaders were instrumental in the planning, growth and development of the commodities sector, providing focus, impetus and direction for key cornerstone industries such as palm oil, timber, and rubber through their most challenging milestones. It was also during their tenure that they brought greater focus to the commodity sector, consolidating disparate commodity agencies into a single entity to handle each of the commodities. These include the formation of MPOB, Malaysian Rubber Board, Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Malaysian Timber Council and the like.
Strategic development in 1980s resulted in the golden age of palm oil during mid 2005.
My heart goes to both Toh Puan Lim and Pn Sri Kim Wong Kam Choon and their bereaved families for the loss of their beloved husbands and fathers.
May God Bless them All.....