KUALA LUMPUR: Leaders of the Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC) visited Sarawak in conjunction with the Sarawak Furniture Industry Association’s (SFIA) Master Luban Dinner, using the stop to deepen state-industry collaboration and air policy priorities for the sector.
The Master Luban Dinner was the eighth and penultimate leg of MFC’s annual State Luban Dinner series held at Theatre Hotel, Kuching, on October 3.
The visit also marked the council’s 11th state engagement since its nationwide tour began in late July.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, graced the dinner as the guest of honour.
In a post-event statement, Dr Sim said the state government is committed to strengthening cooperation with SFIA to advance Sarawak’s downstream timber industry and position the state as a regional hub for high-quality furniture manufacturing.
MFC President, Desmond Tan Boon Hai, told attendees that Malaysia’s furniture industry is one of the 21 priority sectors under the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, noting that the sector booked RM12.83 billion in exports in 2024.
He said stronger state-industry alignment on talent, incentives and logistics would help Sarawak capture more value in design, manufacturing and exports.
The following day, MFC convened a dialogue between representatives of the Sarawak Government and furniture stakeholders to discuss practical enablers, such as investment incentives, infrastructure planning, and targeted subsidies.
A key concern raised was manpower management, specifically the new Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FTWA), intended to streamline non-resident work permit applications.
Participants cautioned that higher processing fees in Sarawak compared to other states could dent the state’s competitiveness and deter investment, and called for fee harmonisation alongside faster, predictable processing.
Industry leaders also urged continued improvements in transport links, utilities and industrial parks to support cluster development, as well as closer collaboration on workforce upskilling and certification to meet global buyers’ compliance requirements.
The MFC’s delegation brought together office bearers from across the peninsula, including Secretary-General Goh Song Huang, and Vice-Presidents Mah Kong Yeow, Alfred Yow Song Vooi and Lee Poh Siang; governing committee members, Steve Ong Yeou Huan, Jeffery Eng Chong Yeu, Lee Ngee Yong, Datuk Stanley Goh Lye Foo and David Beh Nam Yeow; a united national front in engaging Sarawak’s furniture ecosystem.
MFC described the Kuching stop as “a resounding success”, strengthening ties among Malaysian furniture players while fostering constructive, solutions-oriented dialogue with the Sarawak Government.
The council said it will compile feedback from the session to support follow-through on regulatory and facilitation measures that can “unlock mutual growth and long-term collaboration” in the state.
