SANDAKAN: Malaysia has pledged to halt new oil palm plantations in forested areas to support sustainability and maintain its current forest cover of 54%, plantations and commodities minister Johari Ghani said today.
He said that palm fruits harvested from deforested areas will be barred from being processed at palm oil mills.
Factories accepting such fruits will be prohibited from exporting or selling their products. I believe we have enough oil palm plantations. We want to maintain our forest cover at 54% to enhance biodiversity protection, including safeguarding orangutans,
he said at an event here to mark World Orangutan Day.
Johari said this policy had been communicated to the palm oil industry. Sabah alone has 1.5 million hectares of oil palm plantations, he said.
The minister also highlighted the need for Malaysia to ensure that all palm oil exports meet sustainability standards to prove the country’s commitment, in the face of criticism and negative propaganda from western countries.
The government is committed to addressing these false claims. We are making Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil certification mandatory for all producers, including estates and smallholders,
Johari added.
More than 80% of Malaysia’s palm oil production is exported. Johari said palm oil contributes 3% of gross domestic product and generates over RM100 billion in export revenue, providing around one million jobs.