Connecting Estate Owners In The Malaysian Agriculture Industry

The Malaysian Estate Owners’ Association was established in 1931. Its goal was to promote, foster and protect the interests of the plantation industry in Malaysia.

In 1941, like other groups, all the records of the association were lost in the chaos of World War II. So, on 26th January 1946, a public meeting was held at the Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur. It was at this meeting that the public decided to revive the MEOA; with the late Mr Khoo Teik Ee elected to become the first president of MEOA.

 

Eventually, the association was governed by its 1987 Constitution and By-Laws. Many years later, on 21 July 2016, the Constitution and By-Laws were revised with new rules approved by the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (ROS).
 

Today, MEOA represents its members to government through its Office Bearers, Council and a Secretariat led by the CEO, Dato' Norhaidi Che Dan, and keeps members informed about the issues affecting the industry.​

 

Through our vision, we have worked with Malaysian government plantation agencies such as Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM). MEOA also represents Malaysia in international groups like the International Natural Rubber Organization, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries, the International Rubber Study Group and International Rubber Association.

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Our current positions, as stated publicly: review the Windfall Profit Levy and reinvest it in the industry (August 2025); reconsider making e-LESTARI training mandatory for foreign workers in Sabah (October 2026); cutting fertiliser now means lower yields in 18 to 24 months (August 2026); a separate savings fund instead of mandatory EPF for foreign workers (November 2024); and reinvest levy collections in replanting, with soft loans for ageing estates (August 2025).

 

MEOA had been called upon to advise on matters concerning local security, State rubber licensing, the National Economic Consultative Council (NECC), shipping and port, foreign workers and land law revisions.