KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber (MSNR) Trace system plays an important role in addressing environmental and social issues in the rubber industry by allowing stakeholders to track natural rubber (NR) transactions, from the plantations right to the end product.
Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the system is a digital platform developed to trace the NR supply chain, ensuring transparency, sustainability, and accountability in rubber production.
“Malaysia is now at the forefront in championing the rubber industry’s transformation towards sustainability.
“With technology and innovation like MSNR Trace, Malaysia is well-positioned to become a global leader in the production of NR and high-quality rubber products,” he said in his speech at the launch of MSNR Trace here today.
Chan said the MSNR Trace system integrates several internal digital platforms developed by the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), including PAT-G, RRIM Geo Rubber, RRIMniaga, RRIMestet, and MyLesen.
He stressed that to ensure the success of this initiative, all licensed MRB stakeholders involved are urged to fully cooperate with MRB in using traceability systems.
“MRB will impose compound fines and licence revocations on licensees who fail to comply with licensing conditions regarding the use of RRIMniaga, RRIMestet, and the MSNR Trace systems.
“In line with the Malaysian Rubber Board (Licensing and Permit) Regulations 2014, offenders may face fines of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both,” he said.
Chan said one of the key challenges in the rubber industry is the lack of a comprehensive traceability system from upstream to downstream.
He added that the implementation of the MSNR system is crucial in increasing Malaysia’s rubber and rubber product exports to the European Union (EU), which accounts for RM4.91 billion or 15.6 per cent of total NR and rubber product exports, which stood at RM31.57 billion in 2024.
“In this context, the introduction and enforcement of the MSNR system since January 2025 clearly demonstrates Malaysia’s readiness and commitment to meeting international market demands, particularly in terms of sustainability and traceability.
“This commitment was reflected in the first export of MSNR-certified NR to the EU on Dec 12 last year, with 200 tonnes shipped to Slovakia and the Netherlands,” he said.
MRB director-general Datuk Zairossani Mohd Nor said the achievement enhanced Malaysia’s standing as a trusted and credible rubber-exporting country globally.
“The country’s ability to maintain traceability, comply with international trade regulations, and drive continuous innovation makes Malaysia a strategic and reliable trade partner in the global rubber industry,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
