KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) has appointed Datuk Low Kian Chuan as its new chairman effective July 27, succeeding Datuk Gooi Hoe Hin.

Low, 58, is currently the executive chairman of Low Fatt Wood Group of companies, a full-fledged integrated wood-based processing and manufacturing organisation.

He started his career in the timber industry by working at his father's sawmill in Terengganu shortly after graduating from the university in 1984. He has had a long history with the industry which includes experiences in the Timber Trade Federation Malaysia, a pioneer organisation known to have consolidated and brought together those in the timber sector, especially saw millers.

Low has also been involved in the Malaysian Wood Industries Association, Terengganu Wood Industries Association, as well as Malaysian Timber Association, of which he was president from 2015 to 2017.

Besides the timber industry, Low also serves as secretary-general of the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia since 2012, treasurer-general of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia since 2016 and is a board member of several government and corporate bodies.

He is also an independent non-executive director of the Bank of China.