Malaysia and Indonesia will continue collaboration to counter palm oil criticism, says DPM Fadillah

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BANGI, January 31 Malaysia will continue to work with Indonesia to counter European Union (EU) criticism of palm oil, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Seri has said Fadillah Yusof.

He said Malaysia and Indonesia will talk about laws banning the sale of palm oil and other deforestation-related products unless importers can demonstrate that their production of goods does not involve deforestation.

The strategy of working with Indonesia to counter the anti-palm oil campaign is seen as capable of putting pressure on the EU.

The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) will also formulate a strategy to pressure the EU so that Malaysia and Indonesia are not bullied, he said.

Speaking at the 2022 Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Awards of Excellence ceremony here today, Fadillah noted that palm oil producing countries need to agree on how to deal global issues so that objections to palm oil discrimination can be made in a unified, effective and firm manner.

The minister said that although it is not an easy task, the ministry and its agencies will redouble their efforts to counter the anti-palm oil campaign by reporting unassailable facts about the sustainability and benefits of palm oil. .

We need to show them that palm oil does not harm the environment, causing negative impacts on humans and wildlife, he said.

He said the Malaysian palm oil industry is expected to continue its impressive performance in 2023, supported by strong demand and higher crude palm oil (CPO) production.

Palm oil exports are expected to increase by 3.7% to 16.3 million tonnes in 2023, from 15.72 million tonnes last year, driven by continued demand from importing countries such as the Arab Emirates States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Bangladesh and Egypt.

Meanwhile, Fadillah said the ministry will ensure a smooth process for the entry of foreign workers to help boost CPO production this year.

As for the award ceremony, the minister said he was proud of the achievements of the MPOB which has received national and international recognition for its contributions to the development of the Malaysian palm oil industry.

Recently, MPOBs Advanced Biotechnology and Breeding Center (ABBC) was selected as the recipient of the Mahathir Science Award 2022, a globally recognized Malaysian award.

ABBC won the award in the Tropical Natural Resources category in recognition of its pioneering research program in the development of oil palm germplasm which has become an important resource for driving the socio-economic value of the oil palm industry. palm oil nationally and globally.

ABBC was the third Malaysian recipient of the Mahathir Science Award in its 17-year history. Bernama

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