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TUESDAY | JULY 14, 2026

Malaysian palm oil industry urged to up its game

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Palm oil industry players must seize the opportunity to excel in research and development (R&D) and upskilling and to encourage innovation amid the current global economic and geopolitical challenges. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the industry continues to navigate climate change, labour shortages, rising production costs, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties that affect economies worldwide. “As one of the world’s leading producers of palm oil and a nation with a long history in plantation agriculture, we recognise that our continued success cannot depend solely on increasing production. “It must also be driven by innovation, sustainability and our ability to respond confidently to a rapidly changing global landscape. “This is why our aspiration goes beyond remaining a reliable producer of quality commodities. We aspire to position Malaysia as a global reference for sustainable plantation agriculture,” she said at the 11th International Planters Conference organised by The Incorporated Society of Planters yesterday. Noraini said Malaysia remains committed to strengthening R&D, encouraging technology adoption and investing in talent development across the plantation ecosystem. “Because the future of our industry will not be determined solely by artificial intelligence. It will also be determined by human intelligence.” Touching on sustainability, Noraini said sustainability has become one of the defining expect ations of modern agriculture world wide. KUALA LUMPUR: Pos Malaysia Bhd is targeting the mass-market digital gold savings segment with the launch of Pos ArRahnu Gold-i, a syariah compliant platform aimed primarily at B40 and M40 consumers. Pos ArRahnu head Mohammed Zubair Peerpulavar said the company aims to attract between 50,000 and 70,000 users for the platform, which was designed to make gold ownership more accessible to ordinary Malaysians rather than sophisticated investors and large investment players. For its first year, the platform is targeting between 20,000 and 25,000 customers. “Our target customers for the time being are the B40 and M40 segments. We do have targets for T20 customers and big investment players as well, but they are generally more know ledgeable in investments,“ Mohammed Zubair told reporters after the launch ceremony yesterday. “Our focus for Gold-i is the mass market, the B40 and M40 customers, and that is why we started with as low Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

o Minister tells players to seize opportunity to excel in R&D, upskill and encourage innovation

With the theme “Future-Proofing Plantation Agriculture: Innovation, Resilience, and Sustainability”, the conference serves as a platform for industry leaders, researchers, policy makers and stakeholders to exchange insights, foster collaboration, and showcase cutting-edge technological advancements that promote sus tainable development in the industry. Noraini said that as Malaysia moves forward, the government has reaffirmed five commitments that will continue to guide the national agenda for the plantation sector. First, the government will continue to strengthen sustainability as the foundation of long-term competitiveness, ensuring that economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental responsibility and social inclusion. Second, the government will accelerate innovation by supporting research, digitalisation and the adoption of advanced technologies that improve productivity, efficiency and resilience throughout the value chain. Third, Malaysia will continue to empower smallholders and planta tion communities. Fourth, the government will con

as RM10.” The low entry threshold is intended to encourage first-time savers, young working adults and families to begin building wealth through gold accumulation. Mohammed Zubair said current market conditions present an attractive opportunity for consumers interested in accumulating gold holdings. “If we compare current prices with January, gold prices are actually lower now. So this is a good opportunity for people to buy gold, whether physical gold through Pos ArRahnu or digitally through Gold-i.” The platform was launched in partnership with Go Capital Growth Sdn Bhd, which serves as the supplier of premium minted gold products and provider of the digital gold infrastructure. Pos Malaysia group CEO Charles Brewer said gold has long held a special place among Malaysians as a symbol of security and stability. “Gold has always held a special place in the lives of Malaysians, representing security, stability and something families can build on and pass from one generation to the next,” he said. Consumers are becoming more discerning, and investors are paying closer attention to environmental, social and governance performance. Trading partners are introducing more comprehensive sustainability requirements. These developments are reshaping international markets, she said. Noraini said Malaysia welcomes this evolution because it believes sustainable practices are funda mental to the industry’s long-term success. “This commitment is reflected through the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme. MSPO represents Malaysia’s national commitment towards res ponsible production, environmental stewardship and social accounta bility throughout the palm oil value chain. “More importantly, it reflects our belief that sustainability should be practical, inclusive and capable of helping every stakeholder, including independent smallholders. “We will therefore continue strengthening MSPO, improving its implementation and enhancing international confidence in Malaysia’s sustainability credentials,” she said.

The Incorporated Society of Planters chairman Datuk Daud Amatzin (right) presenting a memento to Noraini at the launch of the 11th International Planters Conference yesterday.

economic growth.

tinue to promote greater value creation by encouraging down stream industries, com mercialisation of research, bio-based products, and the circular economy, enabling domestic commodities to contribute to higher-value in dustries and new sources of

Finally, Malaysia will continue to strengthen international co operation because the future of sustainable plantation agriculture depends on stronger partnerships, greater knowledge sharing and mutual trust among nations. “These commitments reflect not

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Pos Malaysia rolls out Pos ArRahnu Gold-i, targets mass market

proud to support Pos Malaysia in making that legacy more accessible, high-quality and reliable, helping shape a stronger financial future for all Malaysians.” Fong expects gold prices to remain subdued in the near term as elevated inflation and higher-for-longer US interest rates continue to weigh on investor demand before recovering next year. “We are seeing that the gold price, because now getting hit by the oil price and also the inflation, so it’s likely that the gold price will move lower first,” he said. “We stay at the low side this year, probably around US$3,800 per ounce to US$4,200 per ounce.” In ringgit terms, Fong expects gold prices to trade between RM450 and RM520 per gram. The platform enables customers to buy and sell gold based on real-time market prices, convert digital holdings into physical gold or cash, and monitor their holdings through an online dashboard with real-time portfolio insights. Customers can also convert digital gold into physical gold products and enjoy a buyback threshold from as low as 0.5g.

From left: Mohamed Zubair, National Metrology Institute of Malaysia deputy director Dr Mohd Fazrul Hisyam Mohd Nor, Brewer, Fong, Sirim QAS International Sdn Bhd head of product certification and inspection Hasnol Zakaria and Pos Malaysia group CFO Peermohamed Ibramsha at the launch of Pos ArRahnu Gold-i.

Go Capital Growth CEO Fong Pok Yee said the collaboration aims to make gold ownership more accessible while maintaining recognised quality standards. “Gold has always been more than a precious metal; it is a legacy of trust, resilience and enduring value,“ he said. “Through this collaboration, we are

“Through Pos ArRahnu Gold-i, we are making it easier for customers to start small and build their savings in a simple and affordable way. “With an entry point of just RM10, customers can take their first step towards building long-term financial security through a service and network they already know.”