PALMOILMAGAZINE, SANDAKAN – Malaysia is committed to halting new palm oil plantations in forested areas, reinforcing its dedication to sustainability and preserving its forest canopy, which covers about 54% of the country.
Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation and Commodities, announced this during the 2024 Orangutan World Day on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
Datuk Johari emphasized that fresh fruit bunches (FFB) harvested from deforested areas will be prohibited from being processed in palm oil mills. “Mills that purchase and process FFB from deforested areas will be banned from exporting or selling their derivative products. We have ample palm oil plantations,” he stated, as reported by Palmoilmagazine.com, quoting The Star on Tuesday (20/8/2024).
Also Read: RSPO Collaborates with Independent Smallholders in Riau to Promote Sustainable Palm Oil
This policy reaffirms Malaysia’s commitment to maintaining its forest canopy, which is crucial for protecting natural conservation areas, including orangutan habitats.
The policy was socialized to many stakeholders through many forums. The goal would be about to reinforce the commitment of Malaysia on sustainability. He also emphasized every palm oil exports from the country should qualify the standards of sustainability as the serious evidence of Malaysia to maintain the environment.
Sabah where it is the main palm oil state in Malaysia, now has 1,5 million hectares palm oil plantations. But palm oil industries still face critics and negative propaganda from western countries about sustainability. In response to this, Datuk Johari said that the Government of Malaysia is committed to fight the wrong claims.
“We make Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil as the mandatory for every producer, such as, big companies and smallholders,” he said. The certification would be very important because more than 80% palm oil production from Malaysia was exported to many countries. By having certification, the buyers should believe about sustainability and quality of palm oil products from Malaysia.
Palm oil significantly plays its roles in the economic sector in Malaysia. It contributed 3% of the gross domestic product of the country, the export income could be reaching more than RM 100 billion, and creating about more than one million employments. The country hoped to reinforce its position as the sustainable and responsible palm oil producer in the globe. (P2)
