Datuk Himmat Singh appointed as MTCC Chairman
The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC), our National member for Malaysia, has welcomed Datuk Himmat Singh as their newly appointed Chairman.
Datuk Himmat Singh appointed as MTCC Chairman
17 May 2016 News
Datuk Himmat’s appointment marks another milestone for MTCC as it continues to advance and spearhead the sustainable forest management agenda in Malaysia and in the Southeast Asian region.
“We are indeed honoured to have Datuk Himmat Singh lead MTCC as he brings with him a wealth of experience. His distinguished career in the civil service spans over 35 years which includes serving as the Secretary General of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities covering forestry and timber trade before he retired in December 2015. We look forward to progressing to greater heights under his leadership as the Chairman of MTCC,” said MTCC CEO, Yong Teng Koon.
Datuk Himmat began his career in the civil service with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment in 1981. Subsequently, he moved to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) under the Prime Minister’s Department, and was the Director of Environment and Natural Resources, then of Social Services, followed by Infrastructure and Utilities, and finally as Deputy Director-General of EPU.
In 2011, Datuk Himmat was appointed as the Secretary General for the Ministry of Works until July 2014, when he assumed the post of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities.
“Malaysia’s forest resources are a national treasure that requires responsible management if we want our future generation to continue enjoying its offerings. MTCC plays a very important role in encouraging more forest managers and timber industry players to implement sustainable forestry through a timber certification scheme. I look forward to being a part of this initiative,” said Datuk Himmat Singh.
Datuk Himmat possesses a Master’s Degree in Park Recreation Resources from the Michigan State University in the United States of America (USA), and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from University of Malaya.
MTCC CEO, Yong Teng Koon, in paying tribute to the outgoing Chairman, said, “MTCC’s progress, thus far, is attributed to the astute leadership of MTCC’s outgoing Chairman, Dato' Dr. Freezailah Che Yeom. We are truly grateful for his wise counsel and invaluable contribution during his 17-year tenure as a member of the MTCC Board of Trustees. We wish him a very happy retirement."
Dato’ Dr Freezailah Che Yeom has been the Chairman of MTCC since 1999.