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Monday June 27, 2005

Logging in to present the truth

BY CHOI TUCK WO

LONDON: The Malaysian Timber Council plans to use the Global Malaysians Network (GMN) as a platform to help dispel misconceptions about the country’s forestry management.

Its European office director S.K. Tham said they would contact fellow Malaysians worldwide through the GMN to help disseminate information on environmental and sustainable forestry management issues back home.

He said there had been some misconceptions perpetuated by certain environmental groups overseas that Malaysia was destroying its forests.

“Through the GMN, we now have another platform to tell the world what we’re doing in Malaysia,” he said.

“And our fellow countrymen will be the best persons to help us disseminate our message to a wider audience,” he said before signing up as a member.

The council, which represents more than 300,000 timber-based industry workers, is involved in the marketing and promotion of such products as well as looking for new markets in Europe.

USEFUL TOOL: Tan (centre) checking out the GMN website with her public relations/e-commerce manager Theresa Chiew (left) and Rahiyah while Loy (standing left) and Tham look on.
Tham hailed the GMN as timely and a good initiative for the council to promote Malaysia’s success story in terms of forestry management.

He said Malaysia had been acknowledged by the United Nations and international bodies like the Tropical Timber Countries Organisation as one of the leading nations in tropical forestry management.

Laura Ashley Holdings’ chief executive officer Lillian Tan said the GMN provided an excellent opportunity for Malaysians to exchange opinions with their countrymen on business ventures and potentials in other parts of the world.

She said the network was also another channel for feedback from back home such as on the stock market and other crucial business developments.

“In fact, I read about Datuk Jimmy Choo’s success stories on the GMN directory,” said Tan, whose group has 184 stores in Britain and another 200 franchise stores worldwide.

Tan said the GMN would also enable Malaysians to seek help from other Malaysians to recommend schools for their children as well as share their thoughts and experiences of living overseas.

She said the network’s greatest challenge would be to uphold its integrity and ensure it was not open to abuse.

Corus Hotels chief executive officer Loy Yet King described the GMN as a useful tool to connect Malaysians abroad and within Malaysia.

“It also provides useful information that we can access to assist our business and increase our knowledge,” said Loy, whose group has 52 hotels in Britain and two each in Malaysia and Australia.

Bumiputra Commerce Bank Berhad general manager Rahiyah Yahya said the GMN was a good concept for the sharing of information among Malaysians overseas.

“I’ll be happy to sign up as the benefits certainly outweigh security concerns such as possible abuse,” said Rahiyah, whose branch was one of the bank’s four overseas offices, the others being in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The GMN project, an initiative of the Asian Centre for Media Studies and supported by The Star, has already opened up many opportunities for Malaysians, including offers of partnerships and joint ventures.

Malaysians, expatriates and those with investments in the country can participate in the project, which is meant to help them network and tap into the resources of Malaysians worldwide.

Many Malaysians abroad had posted their messages of support on the GMN website – www.globalmalaysians. com.

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