Commodities industry – a year in review

Fruitful venture: Mah (second from left) looking at a fresh palm fruit bunch during his visit to a booth at the International Palm Oil Congress and Exhibition 2017 at KLCC. Also present are Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah (right) and Malaysian Palm Oil Board director general Datuk Ahmad Kushairi Din (left). — Bernama

When I was appointed Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities on June 28, 2016, many said it was a homecoming for Gerakan.

This ministry has always been regarded as a “Gerakan portfolio” as the party held the ministerial post for 26 years: Datuk Paul Leong held it for eight years between 1978 and 1986, and the late Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik for 18 years between 1986 and 2004.