THE logistics industry played a vital role in ensuring the global flow of goods when the country was in the movement control order (MCO) period, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Describing logistics as one of the essential services in the country, Chow said the performance of logistics companies has not lapsed even during the period.
“They have made sure that the critical personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines, foods, raw materials, and finished goods were delivered around the world.
“The Penang government has always supported human capital development, which includes logistics and supply chain sectors. We want more professional logisticians as we know that ‘no logistics, means no shopping’.
“Hence, we value the contributions from the logistics industry to the state.
“A strong logistics infrastructure and trained professional logisticians are crucial in realising our Penang2030 vision,” he said in his speech during the ‘Society of Logisticians Malaysia (LogM) Logistician Admission Ceremony 2022’ at Penang Institute in Jalan Brown today.
It was hosted by LogM and was attended by professional logisticians from most states in Malaysia.
Chow pointed out that Penang has many multinational corporations.
“I am confident to see the number of corporations in the state growing in the future.
“Our impressive success is a monument of our tenacious industrial ecosystem.
“Penang Port can now be a preferred choice for shipping lines to bring their cargo movements from the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East to Penang for trans-shipment after the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) was gazetted as a free zone since last year,” he said.
Chow also looked forward to seeing more young generations taking part in the logistics study programme before joining the profession.
He also congratulated the LogM treasurer-general Amy Ooi, who has been awarded the title of ‘Chartered Fellow’ by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) this year.
LogM president Prof Chang Kah Loon expressed his utmost gratitude to Chow for his presence.
“During MCO, the logistics industry has continued to perform to ensure a smooth flow of cargo movement, regardless of aviation, maritime, land transportation and supply chain management.
“We are always ready to work with the state, trade associations, industries, universities or institutes of higher learning, and professional bodies to lift Penang to greater heights,” he added.
In today’s event, a total of 142 professional logisticians were involved in the admission ceremony.
Also present were LogM honorary advisor Datuk Syed Mohamad Aidid Syed Murtaza, LogM honorary president Datuk Dr Yee Thiam Sun, LogM honorary president Wong Yin Fatt, LogM deputy president Associate Prof Adam Mohd Saifudin, LogM vice president Associate Prof Yudi Fernando and LogM vice-president Francis Khor.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat
Video by Alissala Thian