THE LOGM LOGISTICIAN ADMISSION CEREMONY 2022

 

17 December 2022

Penang Institute

 

Dato’ Logistician Syed Mohamad Aidid Syed Murtaza 

Honorary Advisor of The Society of Logisticians Malaysia (LogM) 

 

Dato’ Logistician Dr. Yee Thiam Sun 

Honorary President of LogM 

 

Logistician Wong Yim Fatt 

Honorary President of LogM 

 

Mejar Professor Chang Kah Loon 

President of LogM 

 

Associate Professor Adam Mohd Saifudin 

Deputy President of LogM 

 

Associate Professor Yudi Fernando 

Vice President of LogM 

 

Logistician Francis Khor 

Vice President of LogM 

 

City Councillors of Penang

 

Council Members of LogM 

 

Section and State Committee Members of LogM 

 

Dato’-Dato’, Professors, Logisticians, friends of the media, Ladies and Gentlemen 

 

 

I thank The Society of Logisticians, Malaysia (Pertubuhan Pakar Logistik Malaysia) or in short, "LogM," for inviting me to attend the "LogM Logistician Admission Ceremony 2022," where senior logisticians, logisticians, and associate logisticians will be respectively admitted to the LogM in accordance with the Constitution of LogM.

 

I am indeed proud to see a group of professional logisticians in Penang. In fact, LogM is not new to the state government; I have personally witnessed the growth of LogM from a small group of less than a hundred professional logisticians to a group of over a thousand professional logisticians of all grades today. 

 

I understand how difficult it can be because admission is subject to a series of educational and training processes, and paper qualifications and the number of years of professional experience must be considered before acceptance as a professional logistician. Well done!

 

Ladies & Gentlemen,

 

Logistics and supply chain management, performed by the logisticians, are deemed key catalysts for community development, international trade and the economy, involving smooth export and import processes between countries globally. In fact, the professional interaction between the state government and experienced logisticians is both insightful and rewarding due to the sharing of exciting stories, right from the local trade patterns and various global business disputes to international cultural adaptations.

 

I have been given to understand that LogM is also ready to assist our government, manufacturers, traders, and businessmen in solving various global trade disputes by performing the necessary alternative dispute resolution (ADR) like trade mediation and arbitration in logistics. 

 

Yes, we understand that it is always encouraged for traders who conduct international business to go for mediation and/or arbitration through the related experts, in this case, professional logisticians, rather than going for litigation directly, which is seen as time-consuming, and thus the "golden hour" may be missed. By the way, according to LogM, as spelled out in the contract of carriage, arbitration is always the preferred mode of resolution if any trade disputes arise.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

 

As you are aware, logistics is classified as one of the essential services in Malaysia. That’s why logistics companies have not lapsed even during the MCO. Hence, the logistics industry plays an important role in ensuring the global flow of goods during this unique period in our history, whether it is by ensuring critical personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines, foods, raw materials, and finished goods are delivered around the world or by facilitating the businesses of MNCs and SMEs, as logistics firms have been responsive to adapt their business patterns and operations.

 

The Penang state government always supports human capital development, which of course, includes the logistics and supply chain sectors. We want more professional logisticians, as we understand that "no logistics, no trade," and "no logistics, means no shopping."

 

Penang is the trade hub of northern Malaysia, as it is home to many key manufacturing sites. Many MNCs have established factories here, and we are confident that the number will grow. In 2021, Penang received a record amount of approved manufacturing investments of RM76.2 billion, significantly surpassing all previous records achieved by the state. Particularly, 98% of all investment inflows were from foreign direct investments (FDIs), making Penang the greatest beneficiary of FDIs in manufacturing in Malaysia. With an all-time high export value of RM354 billion, Penang also topped the list in terms of the number of FDIs for the country in 2021.

 

From January to June 2022, Penang was one of the top donors to the nation, with RM7.9 billion in authorised industrial projects. Penang's export value increased 30% year over year to RM291 billion during January to August 2022, accounting for 29% of the nation's total. We currently top the list of exports for the country as well, accounting for RM14.4 billion, or 33.2%, of all exports in September 2022.

 

The state's impressive success, which keeps us ahead of the curve in terms of industrialization, is a monument to our tenacious industrial ecosystem.

 

The state will continue to put its emphasis on maintaining Penang's competitive edge in advanced manufacturing, strengthening our industry clusters, and launching a massive effort to draw talent into the state to ensure Penang remains a preferred destination for high-quality investments. It goes without saying that having a strong logistics infrastructure and trained professional logisticians would be crucial in realising our Penang2030 vision.

 

With the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) being gazetted as a free zone with effect from 2021, the Penang Port can now be a preferred choice for shipping lines to bring their cargo movements from the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East to Penang for trans-shipment before having them eastbound to far east ports, especially China. If the situation allows, traders can make use of the port's status and further enjoy the value-added services provided by the logistics companies, the so-called multimodal process, enhancing the products before exporting them for a better market value. In this context, ladies and gentlemen, we want our professional logisticians to be prepared for their work assignments.

 

In this connection, we would like to encourage our young generations, after secondary education, to consider going for a logistics programme of studies and joining the profession of logisticians. To serve our nation and boost our international trade and economy, somehow, we must be competitive, including in human capital development in logistics.

 

I have also been told that we have the 5th Penangite, or the 1st Penang lady, in the history of Penang since 1965, who has been awarded the title of "Chartered Fellow" by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) this year (2022). Congratulations to our Logistician Ts. Ooi Ai Mi.

 

Finally, I would like to congratulate our new senior logisticians, logisticians, and associate logisticians, who will be admitted to the professional body, the Society of Logisticians, Malaysia (LogM), today.

 

LogM, keep up your good work!

 

Thank you.