Muhtar Suhaili

Muhtar Bin Suhaili was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer effective 1 November 2020. Muhtar holds a Master’s degree in Petroleum Technology from Curtin University of Technology Australia, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). He is a Professional Technologist and is currently pursuing his Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Business Administration. 

Prior to joining MTC, Muhtar was the Lead Project Engineer in Shell Malaysia where he worked for 15 years, and with Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd before that. He had also served as the Chairman of Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC). 

Muhtar brings with him extensive knowledge in managing mega projects, business planning, business improvement initiatives, manpower planning and human resource development. Having had work exposure in The Netherlands and Germany, he also has experience in managing engineering design offices. 

Muhtar intends to utilise his vast experience and knowledge within various industries and multinational organisations to enhance MTC’s efforts in bringing the Malaysian timber industry to greater heights. 

Mokhtar Mohd Yaacob

Mokhtar Yaacob joined MTC in 1996 as an officer at the Raw Material Supply Division. However, he left MTC in 2000 but rejoined in 2011 as a Senior Executive in the same Division. He was appointed as Manager of the Industry Development Division in 2018 and promoted to Director of the said Division in June 2020. On 1 March 2022, the division was renamed Industry Development & Transformation Division where Mokhtar serves as its Director. A graduate with a BSc in Forestry (Forest Management) from Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (now known as Universiti Putra Malaysia), Mokhtar has experience in both upstream and downstream processes of timber manufacturing.

Tan Ting Wai

Tan Ting Wai joined MTC on 10 October 1994 and is the Regional Head of MTC East Asia (formerly known as MTC Guangzhou). He started his career in MTC as an officer in the Management Information System (MIS) Division. Prior to the MTC East Asia posting, he held the position of Manager in the Public & Corporate Affairs Division from 1997-2012. In October 2012, he was assigned to Guangzhou, China, and set up MTC East Asia as a wholly own foreign enterprise, responsible for trade promotion and marketing. Currently, he holds the position of Director of International Business Development Division - Cluster 1 (East Asia, Europe, Russia & Americas). Tan Ting Wai graduated with a Degree in Computer Science from Campbell University from North Carolina, USA, in 1994.

Khairul Anwar

Khairul graduated with a BBA in International Business from Northwood University (USA) and holds an MBA in Strategic Management from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Khairul started his career with MTC in 2008 as the Regional Director of MTC Middle East & Central Asia (formerly known as MTC Dubai) and subsequently promoted as Director of Market Promotion Division (HQ) in 2016. He was later assigned to MTC South Asia (formerly known as MTC Bengaluru) for 3 years. His current role as Director of International Business Development Division - Cluster 2 (Middle East & Central Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and Africa) involves exploring trade promotion potentials within these regions. Khairul has more than 19 years of experience working in multinational companies specializing in marketing, business development, projects and customer service spanning over the logistic, automotive and commodities industries.

Alexis Chang

Alexis Chang graduated from the University of Edith Cowan in Perth, Australia, with a Bachelor of Business. She has extensive experience in international trade, industry relations, communications as well as marketing and promotions, while working with a wide spectrum of stakeholders from various industries. She has served in MTC in various positions and has been involved in project managements, forestry and policy matters related to the timber industry as well as discussions on legality and sustainability compliance such as FLEGT VPA, amongst others. She was the Director in Corporate Communications from 2016-2017 before being appointed as the Director of the Market Promotion Division in 2018. On 1 March 2022, the division was renamed Market Promotion and Product Development Division where Chang is the Director.

Lau Li Har

Lau Li Har joined MTC in July 2000 after graduating from Universiti Putra Malaysia with a degree in Forestry majoring in Wood Industry. She later received her Master of Science in Techno-Economy from the same University in 2014. Prior to joining the Administration Division in January 2018, she was the Deputy Director of the Industry Development Division and was assisting the Division’s Director in planning and implementing projects to augment the supply of raw material, expand the technology base of the industry and enhance the use of timber among local specifiers and manufacturers. In June 2020, she was promoted to Director of Strategic Planning Division. On 1 March 2022, Lau became the Director of Strategic Planning & Corporate Communications Division after the merger of the Strategic Planning and Corporation Communications divisions.