Petaling Jaya, 23 March 2023 – The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dato’ Carl Bek–Nielsen as the new Chairman of MPOC effective 1 May 2023. Dato’ Carl has extensive experience in the Malaysian palm oil industry, having previously served on the MPOC Board and is therefore well versed with the challenges and issues that the industry faces.

Dato’ Carl is Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Director of United Plantations Berhad and has been a Council Member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) since 2005. He has also served as a Council member of the MPOC from 2005 to 2020 as well as serving on the Programme Advisory Committee to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), from 2008 to 2019.

In 2014 he was appointed to the RSPO Board of Governors as Co–Chairman, representing the MPOA, and continued serving as Co–Chair for nine years until early this year when he decided not to seek re–election.

He has also been appointed the Honorary Consul General of Denmark for Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, as well as the Honorary Consul of Denmark to Perak, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Selangor, and Terengganu.

In his new role as the Chairman of MPOC, Dato’ Carl will continue to focus on the sustainability of and social improvements in the Malaysian palm oil sector, ensuring the trade doors remain open for the world’s largest agri–commodity, as the industry moves towards its goal of producing sustainable palm oil.

Commenting on this appointment, MPOC CEO, Belvinder Sron said, “we are confident that his leadership and unwavering commitment to sustainability and social progress in the palm oil trade will help to ensure that the industry’s global trading prospects remain open, and that sustainable practices continue to be at the forefront of the sector’s goals.

“We are very pleased to work with Dato’ Carl Bek–Nielsen in addressing the challenges and issues facing the industry, and we are confident that MPOC will thrive under his chairmanship,” she added.