Malaysian Palm Oil Board
6, Persiaran Institusi
Bandar Baru Bangi
43000 Kajang, Selangor
P.O. Box 10620
50720 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603-8769 4400  Fax: 603-8925 9446
Homepage: www.mpob.gov.my

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)

Prior to the year 2000, public sector research and development efforts on oil palm was spearheaded by the Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia (PORIM) that was established in 1979.

The regulatory and licensing functions of the industry were the responsibility of the Palm Oil Registration and Licensing Authority (PORLA).

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)  was established in May 2000 to take over the functions of the two preceding organizations.

Through this rationalization, MPOB is able to optimize the experience and expertise of the two organizations and provide more effective service to the oil palm industry.

The three-prong strategy of MPOB’s research and development activities, both upstream and down stream :

• 1) High income strategy – to raise oil palm productivity through the application of modern production technologies and good management practices.

• 2) Zero waste strategy – to optimize the utilization of oil biomass for as recycled inputs to the plantations or for production of commercial products as well as generation of energy.

• 3) Value-addition strategy – down stream R & D to increase the value chain of palm-based products for edible and non-edible uses.

Organization

Policy directions and supervision of MPOB is the responsibility of the Governing Board comprising a Chairman, the Director-General of MPOB and representatives from the government, namely the Ministry of Primary Industries, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Sabah State Government, Sarawak State Government and the Federal Land Development Authority. The industry is represented by the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA), Malaysian Oil Manufacturers’ Association (MEOMA), Palm Oil Millers’ Association (POMA), Palm Oil Refiners Association of Malaysia (PORAM) and the Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group (MOMG). The National Association of Smallholders (NASH) represents the interests of the small growers.

MPOB is supported by the Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) comprising eminent scientists and experts form Malaysia and abroad who review MPOB’s research programmes and proposals and provide recommendations on future research directions to the Board.

Administration and operational management of MPOB rests with the Director-General of MPOB who is assisted by two Deputy-Director General and seven divisional directors responsible for Biology Research, Engineering and Processing Research, Product Development Research and Advisory Services, Economics and Industry Development, Licensing and Enforcement, Information Technology and Corporate Services, and Finance and Management..

Activities

MPOB’s research and development activities, both upstream and downstream, are directed by the following three-prong strategy:

• High income strategy – to raise oil palm productivity through the application of modern production technologies and good management practices • Zero waste strategy – to optimize the utilization of oil biomass for as recycled inputs to the plantations or for production of commercial products as well as generation of energy • Value-addition strategy – downstream R & D to increase the value chain of palmbased products for edible and non-edible uses.

Activities pertaining to the environment are mainly undertaken by the Engineering and Processing Division where effort is directed at improving the eco-efficiency of oil mills and the treatment and utilization of effluents. The Biology Research Division is also involved in promoting sustainable management of oil palm through the development of better management practices such as integrated pest management and recycling of biomass in the field.

MPOB has been active in the development of the ISO 14000 environmental management standards, as a member of the ISCZ National Committee on Environmental Standards and as a member of the Malaysian delegation to the plenary meetings of the ISO/TC 207 on ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standards for the past six years. MPOB is currently providing the leadership for the ISO/TC207 WG 5 on Climate Change. The Board has also organized a number of workshops and national seminars to raise the awareness on the application of ISO 14000 standards.