In her keynote address, YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin said that the palm oil industry is a strong, resilient and innovative industry that is of strategic importance to the country. Palm oil is a key driver of Malaysia’s agriculture and agro-based sectors, generating approximately RM91.4bil in export revenue covering more than 180 countries between January and November 2021.

YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida also mentioned that Malaysia has steadfastly worked towards promoting the important message that palm oil is a nutritious and affordable food for all. Malaysian scientists in collaborations with renowned research institutions worldwide have and will continue to explore new technologies to ensure that the industry remains dynamic, generate high-income jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as raises export earnings.

YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida is a strong advocate for the advancement of women and she is planning to extend this passion into the plantation sector. In addition, YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida also highlighted that she looks forward to working with ministry officials, the private sector, civil society and other key stakeholders to ensure that women working in the palm oil industry supply chain enjoys the same rights and opportunities in their career.

Before ending her keynote address, YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida strongly mentioned that Malaysia has a superior product in terms of productivity, versatility and a competitive pricing. Thus YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida gave her assurance to look into the best way forward for the industry, especially with respects to sustainability initiatives that relate to environmental, social and corporate governance considerations, as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida also took time to launch the Malaysian Palm Oil Full of Goodness campaign and also the Mari Kenali Sawit books.  The Malaysian Palm Oil Full of Goodness campaign highlighted the various advantages of palm oil and palm-based products. This new campaign is hoped to help our Malaysian Palm Oil gain recognition locally and globally for its healthfulness and versatility. The Mari Kenali Sawit book launching involves two new booklets produced for primary and secondary school children that highlight the benefits of palm oil and its contributions to sustainability and socio-economic development in a storytelling style that makes them easy to understand. With the publication of these booklets, our students can get accurate information about palm oil and would help to share disseminate the knowledge to their parents and peers so that more people could learn that the palm oil industry is important to the country.

The highlight of the day was the dialogue with YB Minister. The dialogue was chaired by Puan Wan Aishah Wan Hamid, CEO of MPOC and joined by Datuk Ravi Muthayah, YB Larry Sng, YB Tuan Jugah, Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, Datuk Mohamad Nageeb and Encik Mohammad Hafezh as panellists.  Various issues were highlighted including:

• Issues and challenges faced by smallholders
• Ministry’s efforts in promoting palm oil in the EU
• Banning of palm oil as biodiesel feedstock in EU countries
• Establishment of an expert team to aid in disseminating positive attributes of Malaysian palm oil locally and globally
• Ministry’s efforts in lobbying the acceptance of MSPO in global markets

Dialogue session with YB Minister Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin

Screen capture of the dialogue session with YB Minister Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin live streamed via Zoom