KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): The Malaysian Palm Oil Solidarity Group (POSG) has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to pick a minister for the industry, who has the experience and attributes to understand the wide spectrum of serious issues that beset the Malaysian palm oil sector.

In a statement on Nov 27 (Sunday), the group, comprising 14 associations representing the interests of the palm oil supply chain, including associations from Sabah and Sarawak, requested Anwar to appoint someone who is prepared to include and engage closely with the industry in formulating progressive policies that address the barriers to growth faced by the sector, and to lead the industry forward on the basis of science, research findings and good governance.

POSG said the plantation industry can be credited historically with the economic development and growth of large swathes of the country, and with creating and providing jobs, especially for smallholders in rural areas that currently account for the stability in rural Malaysia.

The group said it is estimated that the palm oil sector sustains four million people comprising employees and their dependents, while the export value of palm products in 2021 totalled RM109 billion, generating a significant amount in foreign exchange earnings for the nation’s economy.

It said the palm oil sector has grown into a very complex industry that encompasses not only agriculture but also processing, trade — both domestic and international, and marketing.

“We deal not only with the more traditional agronomic and technical issues associated with our industry, but increasingly global issues of environment and sustainability, health, labour and trade barriers.

“We find ourselves having to face hostile governments and hostile non-governmental organisations criticising our industry’s products on one new-found issue after another, and putting up barriers to our products on issues we have to scramble to understand and counter intelligently and effectively,” it said.

The 14 associations are:

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA);

The Malaysian Estae Owners’ Association (MEOA);

Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners’ Association (SOPPOA);

The East Malaysia Planters’ Association (EMPA);

The National Association of Smallholders (NASH);

Palm Oil Millers’ Association (POMA);

Palm Oil Refiners’ Association (PORAM);

The Malaysian Edible Oil Manufacturers’ Association (MEOMA);

The Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers’ Group (MOMG);

The Malaysian Biodiesel Association (MBA);

Malaysian Agricultural Producers’ Association (MAPA);

Sabah Employers’ Consultative Association (SECA);

The Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP); and

Tawan Agricultural Association (TAA).

Source : TheEdgeMarkets