The meeting was chaired by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong, the Minister of Transport (MOT)
On 27 May 2021, Thursday, MIMA’s Director-General, YBhg. Datuk Dr. Sabirin Ja’afar and Head of the Centre of Economics and Industries (MEI), Cdr Ang Chin Hup (R), attended the Malaysia National Logistics Task Force meeting. It was headed by YB Minister of Transport via Zoom meeting to monitor the Logistics and Trade Facilitation Master Plan’s implementation and develop solutions to difficulties in the logistics industry. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy), YB Dato’ Sri Mustapha Mohamed. MIMA submitted a position paper with the following title: An Inflation Warning: Issues in Global Container & Vessel Capacity Shortage, and High Freight Rates.
The meeting discussed 4 Cluster Working Groups (CWG) as follows:
CW 1: Regulatory and Institutional Framework
To help the logistics business flourish, coordinate analyzing and enhancing existing legal requirements, procedures, and institutional structures.
CW 2: Trade Logistics
Streamlining processes and procedures linked to licensing and trade freight and enhancing the efficiency of the import and export processes ensure that goods flow freely in and out of Malaysia.
CWG 3: Infrastructure and Demand for Freight
As a driver of data-driven logistics development, resolve bottlenecking concerns, establish consolidation centers as logistics hubs, and provide a platform for freight data sharing.
CWG 4: Innovation & Resource Management
Take into account the logistics industry’s needs while coordinating human resource development and innovation activities.
The meeting brought together members from the Malaysian Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the Logistics Association.
The perspectives provided by industry organizations, the Shipping Association Malaysia (SAM), the Malaysia Freight Forwarders Association (MAFFA), and the Federation of Manufacturers Malaysia (FMM), were examined by MIMA’s Centre for Maritime Economics and Industries (MEI). The three primary sectors of the whole logistics supply chain, the mainline operators, are represented by the associations (MLOs), the freight forwarders, and shippers consisting of imports and exporters. Although no country, including Malaysia, is immune to the global demand-supply dilemma, MIMA’s position paper found that the government should take these issues seriously to avoid a larger impact. MIMA delivers recommendations to the MOT through the National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) as a maritime think-tank.