KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The Malaysian Timber Council has named Muhtar Suhaili as its new CEO, effective Nov. 1. He fills a position previously held by acting CEO Wong Kah Cane.
Before joining the MTC, Suhaili was the lead project engineer in Shell Malaysia where he worked for 15 years. Before that he worked for Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd. He also is chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council.
Suhaili holds a master’s degree in Petroleum Technology from the Curtin University of Technology in Australia and a bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the International Islamic University of Malaysia. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Administration.
The MTC said he has extensive knowledge in managing mega projects, business planning, business improvement initiatives, manpower planning and human resource development. He also has experience in managing engineering design offices, having also worked in the Netherlands and Germany.
“I highly believe with his vast experience and knowledge within various industries and multinational organizations, Muhtar will be instrumental in enhancing MTC’s efforts in bringing the Malaysian timber industry to greater heights, said Tuan Haji Mazli Zakuan Mohd Noor, MTC chairman.
Formed in January 1992, the MTC promotes the development and growth of the Malaysian timber industry globally.
I’m Tom Russell and have worked at Furniture/Today since August 2003. Since then, I have covered the international side of the business from a logistics and sourcing standpoint. Since then, I also have visited several furniture trade shows and manufacturing plants in Asia, which has helped me gain perspective about the industry in that part of the world. As I continue covering the import side of the business, I look forward to building on that knowledge base through conversations with industry officials and future overseas plant tours. From time to time, I will file news and other industry perspectives online and, as always, welcome your response to these Web postings.
