Malaysian Knitting Manufactures Association (MKMA) had signed strategic cooperation agreement with Taiwan Knitting Industry Association (TKIA) on 18-Sep-2020, thanks to the effort of Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI).

Signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 18-Sep-20 via a Virtual Ceremony, Mr. Tang Chong Chin represent MKMA remarked that he is excited and optimism that the MOU will improve cooperation for continued enhance knowledge, skill education upgrade, information exchange and market expansion to meet 21st century challenges and maximizing new opportunities for the benefit of the industries.

Mr. Tsai, Yuan-qing, Chairman of Taiwan Knitting Industry Association remarked that pandemic Covid-19 give raise to new concept, restructure of international supply chain, problem of relying on Chinese manufacturing and demand on product quality instead of product price. It had created good opportunities for Taiwan.

Please view the below link for more information.
1.MKMA and TKIA MOU
2.2020 Malaysia and Taiwan Industrial Collaboration Summit

He urge government to cancel requirement for Employer to purchase Foreign Worker Compensation Scheme (FWCS) and Foreign Worker Hospitalisation & Surgical Insurance Scheme (SKIPPA) for foreign worker when renew permit.

Else it will create protection benefit discrimination between local and foreign worker.

Dato’ Tang Chong Chin plead Ministry of Human Resource (MOHR) review the foreigner socso scheme so that to secure employer/manufacturer’s sustainability, production capacity and competitiveness in Malaysia in order to avoid employer/manufacturer to incur unnecessary cost and further affect the benefit and will-being of local employee.

The full articles can be view here:
1.Nanyang
2.SinChew
3.theStar
4.Nanyang – Latest

Our Managing Director Mr. Tang Chong Chin has been conferred with Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) by Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Di Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman Bin Haji Abbas in conjunction with His Excellency’s 79th birthday on 27 July 2017.

The group and company, associations, colleague, business partner and friends collectively cheers with joyous brought by the special award.

Indeed, Dato’ Tang was conferred with Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN) by Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Di Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman Bin Haji Abbas in conjunction with His Excellency’s 76th birthday on 25 Sept 2014.

Dato’s Tang shared his thanksgiving message as below:-

It is the collective efforts and supports from you all, the associations, company n group which had given me appropriate platform to contribute accordingly.

I enjoyed the great TEAM works from you all as TEAM means Together Everybody Achieve More!

Together we share the pleasure n happiness in conjunction of this great event.

Once again, a big thank you to everyone!

Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN)
Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN)

The Malaysian Knitting Manufacturers Association (MKMA) on Tuesday expressed what it termed as its “total disappointment” and “strong objection” to Bank Negara Malaysia’s new foreign exchange (forex) measures that kicked in on Monday. It said in a statement that the central bank’s move has “disturbed the good deed” of all manufacturers with overseas operations.

The requirement to compel the exporter to immediately convert 75% of the Sales Proceed into Ringgit Malaysia (RM) and reserve 25% into Foreign Currency came in as shock, unexpected and without consultation and discussion with private sector.

MKMA object such an unfriendly rule and urge BNM to withdraw the implementation until full consultation with private sector is being carry out.

More detail on the articles can be view here:

1. TheEdge – Knitters Association Disappoint With Bank Negara Forex Policy
2. Sinchew – Forex Policy
3. Nanyang – Mkma Comment On New Bank Policy
4. TheEdge – Knitters Up In Arms Over Bank Negara New Forex Policy

The major topics covered are as below:-

Part A – Rules of Origin
1. Yarn forward
2. Sewing Thread Requirement
3. Short Supply List
4. Single Transformation
5. De Minimis

Part B – Market Access
1. Tariff/Duty Elimination Time Table
2. Tariff/Duty Elimination Schedule(HS Code)

The talk aim to help its member to understanding and tape into the advantage of TPPA, especially on Textile & Apparel market access into TPPA Countries. Apart from direct exporters, the players in the whole supply chain and intermediate suppliers also need to be familiar with the rules, in order to benefit from TPPA.

Detail slide information can be view here: TPPA Briefing 19Mar2016

According to studies, the textile and apparel industry will be the winner of the TPPA which creates opportunities for the whole supply chain of the industry.

MKMA President, Mr. Tang Chong Chin was invited to present on the event of ‘Seminar On Modernization of Garment & Textile Industry” organized by Elestar Sdn Bhd.

The topic delivered by Mr. Tang is ‘Dialogue on the Potential Impact of the TPPA on the Malaysia Textiles and Apparel Industry’.

The event was held at Dewan Tun Dr Ismail, PWTC, Kuala Lumpur at 4.30pm to 10:00pm, 9th March 2016. Total 500 people attend this event.

The Malaysian Knitting Manufacturers Association (MKMA) has leaded and lashed out against a hike in foreign worker levy in the manufacturing sector, saying the move came as a “shock, unexpected and without consultation and discussion with private sector”.

In a statement on Feb 1, 2016, its president Tang Chong Chin said the association is “disappointed” and “strongly objects” to the government’s decision to double the levy of foreign workers in the manufacturing sector effective Feb, 2016.

“MKMA believe such a decision would create the huge negative impact on the private sector and invite for domino effect to the already ill and sickening economy environment. Such move would negate the intended stimulation as per newly announced in the budget adjustment made by the prime minister,” he said.

More detail on the articles can be view here:

1. TheEdgeMarket -Textile manufacturers oppose unexpected levy changes to foreign workers
2. OrientalDaily – Levy
3. Nanyang -Lead Levy Hike
4. Nanyang – Levy Hike
5. Zaobao.sg – Malaysia Levy Hike

Fifty-five industry organizations united in an unprecedented move to call on the government to withdraw the sudden increase in foreign workers’ levy that took effect on Monday, decrying the move as detrimental to costs of doing business, which will lead to price increases for consumers.

More Newspaper articles on 55 Industry Oppose Hike of Levy can be view below:
1. Nanyang – Protest on Levy Increase
2. Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia – Oppose Levy Increase
3. Sinchew – Oppose Increase of Levy

Malaysia Knitting Manufacturers Association (MKMA) president Tang Chong Chin told MALAYSIA SME that, ‘there are a few big players in the Malaysia knitting manufacturing sector, but for the most part, the overwhelming majority of operators in Malaysia are SME companies.

These include both textile manufacturers and apparel manufacturers. In the Malaysia context, the breakdown is roughly 70% for apparel manufacturers and 30% for textile manufacturers.

Malaysia Budget 2016 announced the increase of minimum wage to RM1,000 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM920 for Sabah and Sarawak recently did not provide grace period of it implementation. It would add a further strain on member’s businesses. ‘Businesses are now having to deal with the GSt, the decline in value of the ringgit, as well as the wage increase.’

Tang said that one suggestion put forward to the government to fix the issue of foreign labour is to make it easier for genuine and law-abiding manufacturers to hire legal foreign workers.

Many SME are forced to hire illegal foreign workers as they are simply unable to hire any through legal channels and they cannot afford to pay levies and fees.

Additionally, the government has imposed many regulation that make it almost impossible for SMEs to hire legal foreign workers which includes regulation on foreign worker ratio, minimum turnover and also various specifications on foreign workers once they are hired.

Article can be view using this link : Engage Issue 170 Malaysia SME

was elected as President of Malaysian Knitting Manufacturers Association (MKMA)

for term 2015-2017 on Jun 13, 2015.