@Green July/August 2022 | Page 27

July-August , 2022 | @ Forest

COVER STORY

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Immense economic opportunities following launch of G-Balloon

Officiating speech by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob .
increase durability and sustainability and drive future positive impact .
The Ministry , she said , has taken a forward-looking approach to determine the direction of the National Agricommodity Sector .
“ This approach aims to enable us to address future challenges in line with Malaysia ’ s National Agenda and fulfil its commitments at the international level .”
The National Agricommodity Policy
Ismail Sabri stated : “ In line with the significant contribution of the Agricommodity sector , the National Agricommodity Policy ( DAKN ) 2021-2030 was drafted and launched at the beginning of this year to support the development of the sector .
“ The direction planned for the next 10 years is important to plan appropriate programmes and activities to be implemented .
“ Five core policies have been introduced to achieve the goals and objectives of DAKN2030 . Generally , all five pillars include aspects of Sustainability , Productivity , Value Generation , Market Development and Inclusion .
Zuraida explained : “ Through DAKN2030 , the government will intensify various initiatives related to climate change with stakeholders in the Agricommodity Sector in line with the national development agenda and the principle of global responsibility .”
It will , in turn , contribute to the achievement of the national target to reduce greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions across the economy by 45 per cent based on GDP in 2030 compared to the level in 2005 and the country ’ s aspiration to achieve the target of net zero GHG emissions as early as the year 2050 .
These initiatives also demonstrate the Government ’ s commitment to combating the ongoing threat of climate change and ensuring that the agricommodity sector keeps growing sustainably .
Empowering young trailblazers in Agricommodity
Newer generations of agropreneurs from all disciplines participated in MIACES 2022 , Malaysia ’ s most extensive global marketplace event . These younger agropreneurs were trailblazers transforming , modernising , and uplifting Malaysia ’ s agricommodity to its true potential .
The participation of academicians from various levels in MIACES is also seen as helpful in continuing the efforts of the MPIC and Higher Education Institutions in increasing the involvement of young people in the broad potential sector .
“ The involvement of more youths in the agricommodity sector is very encouraging . This is because the sector , which was once considered to be just the economic activity of the last generation , is now successfully attracting young skilled entrepreneurs from various socio-economic backgrounds , including urban youths ,” said Zuraida .
Palm oil campaign
In conjunction with MIACES 2022 , MPIC also launched a campaign to refute western anti-palm oil claims .
Multimedia and digital campaign called “ The Global Movement to Champion the Goodness of Palm Oil ” or “ The Global Movement to Win the Benefits of Palm Oil ” is aimed at a global audience , particularly governments , organisations , stakeholders , and media from the West . They have embraced the anti-palm oil narrative to impose import restrictions on the commodity .
The campaign is an effort by the Ministry , along with the agencies and councils under it , to correct the notion of bias and false information about Malaysian palm oil through the publication of a documentary ; 12 short description video clips ; booklet ; posters and intensive media engagement .
“ In addition to conventional media such as print publications and TV stations , the campaign will also be conducted through social media such as Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , MPIC website as well as my own “ Mothering ” portal ,” said Zuraida .
“ We believe online platforms can complement traditional media regarding reach , speed and detailed targets .
“ I hope this campaign will help correct the misrepresentation and defamation about Malaysian palm oil . It is time for Malaysia to uphold the truth about the country ’ s major commodities , and I urge all Malaysians , in the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia , to stand firm in support of this effort .” —@ Forest
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and MPIC Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin visiting exhibitors .
THE MINISTRY of Plantation Industries and Commodities ( MPIC ) is confident that the launch of a new rubber composite , Graphene Balloon ( G-Balloon ), which can be used in space , can bring about immense economic opportunities for the nation .
The ground-breaking invention was launched on July 26 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during the Malaysia International Agricommodity Expo and Summit ( MiACES ) 2022 . “ I truly believe this discovery will open new opportunities for Malaysia to delve deeper into highvalue industries and explore new markets involving satellite and aerospace . This discovery will help to increase job opportunities for our young talent and future generation whilst concurrently positioning Malaysia as the world ’ s leader in the rubber industry ,” said Ismail Sabri .
This technology , developed by Malaysians in partnership with a top-ranked university and the Malaysian Rubber Board ( LGM ), is the world ’ s first “ aerospace balloon ”.
As the world leader in rubber technology , Malaysia is well-positioned to profit from the commercialisation of high-performance rubber products , new market opportunities , and advancement of its rubber industry in the global value chain .
MPIC Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said : “ We are looking to redefine the future of rubber application , and in the true spirit of Keluarga Malaysia , it is indeed a privilege to share this success that we are bringing our rubber product to space .”
This technology converts harmful methane gas into environmentally-friendly graphene . Once fused with latex , creates a sustainable material that can operate in the harshest conditions and withstand heavy-duty work .
Graphene is the key material for this project . It is a material made of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice which is a million times thinner than a human hair , making it the thinnest object ever created .
Graphene is stronger and stiffer than any diamond yet can be stretched by a quarter of its length , like rubber . Graphene can enhance the several properties of rubber and make it applicable to new and current innovations . It can take rubber to another level of performance not seen before .
“ Meditech Gloves Sdn Bhd is working with UK-based Levidian on this project . Levidian is the exclusive supplier of graphene and the only company in the world with a patented technology that captures and converts harmful methane gas into graphene . Cranfield University ( UK ) provides the research and development for our products .
“ Together with Cranfield University , we have developed the world ’ s first 3D printing technology for gloves . This is a very unique and powerful technology , and for the Graphene Balloon project , we will be applying this technology .
“ No other rubber producing or non-producing nation is embarking on the kind of work we are doing currently . Globally we will be leading . With great resources for rubber , this latest innovation will help propel Malaysia towards endless possibilities , from plantations to aerospace .”
As the slogan goes , ‘ No One Knows Rubber Like Malaysia Does ’, MPIC is determined to put Malaysia on the map for its commodities products .