TWO Penangites were flushed with pride when Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow officiated the grand opening of the new ‘Waste-To-Eco-Friendly’ Products Manufacturing plant of Heng Huat Group today.
Heng Huat Resources Group managing director Datuk H’ng Choon Seng and deputy director Kee Swee Lai were singled out by Chow for turning waste to wealth.
Both have been in the business for over 30 years.
“Coconut husks were once considered waste and were left to rot or to be burnt,” Chow said in his speech.
“But these two gentlemen saw an opportunity. And maybe they screamed, “What a waste!”. If we do not put waste into resources, waste will remain waste.
“So, congratulations on having an eye for business opportunity and at the same time for playing a very important role as an eco-friendly company.”
The opening ceremony was conducted at Heng Huat’s headquarters in Sungai Bakap although the new 20,000sq m plant is located in Setiu, Terengganu.
Heng Huat’s main business activities are manufacturing and trading of biomass material and value-added products, focusing on oil palm empty fruit branch fibre and coconut fibre.
They also manufacture and distribute their own brands of mattresses and bedding accessories.
Chow said the Penang government has consistently emphasised the word ‘GREEN’ of the Penang2030 vision.
“We advocate a balance between economic growth and ecological protection and sustainability. This something we want to showcase.
“We can achieve economic development with environmental sustainability.”
Chow added that he wished local entrepreneurs would emulate Heng Huat Group to not only invest in thriving their business but also to invest in the preservation of the environment.
In addition, he said they could also engineer ways to transform environmental issues to business opportunities.
“As Heng Huat Group has progressed to Terengganu, I also wish they will represent Penang to inspire others, in particular the East Coast of Malaysia, to support the green environment, in line with Penang2030 vision,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony were State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, Jawi assemblyman H’ng Mooi Lye, HHRGB executive directors Lim Ghim Chai and Datin Khor Mooi Kim.
Both Choon Seng and Kee later showed the company’s various products, notably their Fibre Star mattresses, to Chow and other guests after the opening ceremony.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Chan Kok Kuan