Commercializing and enhancing the potential of Cajuput oil
Traditionally, “Melaleuca Cajuputi” tree, which is commonly known as “Cajuput” or “Pokok Gelam”, has been used to heal small wounds and to help with headaches and little is known that the oil extract from the leaves of the tree is widely used as an ingredient to make beauty and skin allergy products, insect repellent and aromatherapy. Some even use it to flavour food and add fragrance to soaps and cosmetics. Due to the tree’s nature where it is common in some parts of Malaysia especially in swampy grounds near the coasts, it’s commercial values often undermined by communities nearby. CEPR Malaysia positions itself on not only to contribute to the growth and development of the nations’ economy but also to identify, translate as well as scale business models and opportunities through private initiatives.
If done well, the direct impact will be seen on the communities nearby where ample of jobs (e.g. downstream production) can be created, just by realising the potential of our natural resources. In this case, it’s the “Melaleuca Cajuputi” tree.
Realising this, on the 19th of September 2019, the Centre for Economic Policy and Research Malaysia (CEPR Malaysia) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) has signed a memorandum of understanding to embark on a joint initiative to commercialize and enhance the potential of Cajuput oil. 
The event was attended by the representatives from UniSZA, members of CEPR as well as representatives from MYONE Corporations. The representatives from UniSZA includes:
- YBhg Prof. Dato’ Dr. Hassan Basri (Vice Chancellor of UniSZA);
- Prof. Madya Dr. Afandi Saleh (Deputy Vice Chancellor of UniSZA);
- Prof. Dr. Mohd Afandi bin Muhammad (Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation);
- Prof. Dr. Zuhairah Ariff binti Abd Ghadas (Legal Advisor of UniSZA);
- Pn Hjh Shakimah (Treasurer); Prof. Dr. Hafizan Juahir (Director of ESERI UniSZA);
- En. Ismail bin Ahmad (Registrar of UniSZA);
- En. Ismail bin Musa (Director of Corporate Communications and Communication Management);
- Prof. Madya TS Dr. Saiful Bahri bin Mohamed (Director of Excellence Management Centre and Research Incubator);
- Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shukri bin Yazid (Director of Centre of Revenue Management, Investment, and Industry Networking; Encik Suhaili Ahmad;
- Dr. Zaharuddin Abd. Rahman; and Prof. Dato’ Mohamad Abu Bakar.
The representatives from MYONE Corporation includes:
- En. Affendy Resat (CEO of MYONE) and
- En. Nik Mohamad Hanif Abdul Ghani (Chief Technical Officer of MYONE).
The good work of UniSZA through its research institute ESERI on innovating a distillation technology to extract oil from the leaves of Cajuput Trees for the production of Cajuput oil, will in time be converted into a scalable business model by the experts at CEPR Malaysia especially on accessing the domestic and international market. CEPR will also be involved in the infrastructure development which includes the building of factory for the production of products as well as the purchase of machinery and processing equipment. The first production is expected to be made within six month from now. We hope from this joint venture, it can bring benefits to the society, especially the B40 group as well as the nations’ economy.
