10th Anniversary Perak Lecture: Enhancing the Sustainability of Competitiveness of Palm Oil ~ a KLK Perspective

by Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian

 

Synopsis

The oil palm industry is a huge success for the Malaysian economy but it is also a single crop dominating the plantations sector, aptly described as being on a single leaf. There are no alternative large scale crop as profitable, yet there are many issues that can threaten its continued prosperity.

This informative talk is to give the lay person a quick undertanding of the structure of the macro aspects of the world oils and fats industry, the enviable position of palm oil, its inherent functional advantages and anti-palm oil campaign.

Also, on the plantations itself, we are losing out competitiveness. What are the challenges ahead and also the vast opportunities to be exploited?

 

Biodata of Speaker

Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian is the Chief Executive Officer of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (“KLK”) since 1993. He graduated from the University of Malaya in Agriculture Science in 1974, followed by an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1977.

The KLK Group is a plantations based group with a planted area of about 210,000 hectares, located in Malaysia and Indonesia. KLK has also integrated into oleochemicals based activities.

Tan Sri Lee has served in various positions in the plantations industry, namely in the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, the Malaysian Estate Owners’ Association, the Malaysian Oil Palm Growers Council, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and the Malaysian Cocoa Board.

Tan Sri Lee is the Chairman of the Board of Governors of St Michael’s Institution in Ipoh, Trustee of Perdana Leadership Foundation and also Yayasan Tuanku Bainun, and Board Member of Royal Perak Golf Club. He is also Honorary President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Malaysia.