Govt will not tolerate denigration of palm oil industry: Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not tolerate the denigration of the palm oil industry, to ensure that 650,000 small holders continue to survive, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the government would not keep silent on any campaign against palm oil and would give a fitting response to those who harmed the palm oil industry.
"We have to respond to all negative campaign against palm oil. We must respond rationally with facts and figures on the issues of deforestation and destruction of wildlife," he said at the 2017 Palm Oil Industry Leadership Award Dinner, here tonight.
According to Ahmad Zahid, the palm oil industry was facing unprecedented challenges and continued to face anti-palm oil campaigns, particularly in the European Union, which systematically sidelines the palm oil industry.
"That is why Malaysia must forge ahead with sustainable certification and adopt best agricultural practices. We must brand palm oil well because it is a versatile and nutritious oil," he said.

The deputy prime minister later presented the 10th Palm Oil Industry Leadership Award to the former chief executive officer of Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron, while another recipient, Felda Global Ventures Holdings chief operating officer, Plantation Sector, S. Palaniappan was presented with the Lifetime Excellence Award.
Initiated in 2008, the award recognises the Malaysian palm oil industry leaders who have made an impact on the industry in the current or previous years.
On a related note, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia must be at the forefront of embracing new technologies to add value to the palm oil industry.
He said there was an urgent need to embrace mechanisation, precision agriculture and automation in the upstream sector to reduce the dependency on labour.
Last year, Malaysia produced close to 20 million tonnes of palm oil and recorded a total export value of RM67 billion. — Bernama