GENTING HIGHLANDS: Palm oil industry players can take the lead in the conservation of orangutan populations in the country and send a message to the world on Malaysia's efforts to conserve biodiversity amid the discrimination faced by palm oil industry.

Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said industry players need to be proactive in telling those that import Malaysia's palm oil on the sustainability elements of the commodity and its surrounding environment.

Through an initiative that encourages the adoption of orangutans or placement of orangutans in zoos abroad, Johari said it could enlighten the global markets on the plantation conditions in Malaysia that conserve and ensures the safety of its biodiversity.

Johari said the ministry will work closely with the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) and relevant stakeholders to come up with a measure that will enable industry players to adopt orangutans.

"Something we can also explore is to place and fund the orangutans in zoos abroad, particularly in major importing countries such as the identified European Union nation.

"Maybe I will propose this to the big palm oil players, encourage them to adopt orangutans and work with NGO to breed them. When the orangutans are mature enough, we can place them at zoos abroad," he told reporters at the MPOGCF Biodiversity Forum 2024.

Johari noted that Malaysia needs to highlight to the global community that it is capable of striking a balance between fulfilling food security needs whilst safeguarding the environment as more of its trading partners are increasingly concerned about the impact of agricommodities on the climate.

He said by demonstrating a commitment to biodiversity conservation, habitat protection and environmental stewardship, Malaysia will be viewed as a responsible and ethical producer of edible oils.

"This will ultimately lead to increased market access, premium pricing, and long-term competitiveness in a global economy that is increasingly prioritising sustainable practices,"  he said in his officiating speech at the event.

The minister noted that palm oil constitutes 5.7 million hectares or 84 per cent of the total 6.8 million hectares of planted area.

The palm oil industry represents a significant chunk of the economy, contributing three per cent to the gross domestic product, RM102 billion in export value and RM18 billion in tax revenue.

As the second largest producer of palm oil in the world, Malaysia is also a significant player in the world of edible oils. Palm oil is the most affordable and land-efficient edible oil.

"Nonetheless, we are faced with complex challenges in addressing the discriminatory anti-palm oil propaganda arising from biassed claims and protectionist policies which favour certain seed oils.

"It is imperative for all stakeholders, including the government to walk-the-talk by showcasing a proactive approach towards sustainability," he said.

In maintaining Malaysia's competitive edge, Johari noted that the government has implemented robust policies among which includes the compulsory Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme launched in 2015.

MSPO encompasses a comprehensive range of criteria focused on four key pillars, namely, traceability, deforestation-free, legitimate land title and good labour practices.

Besides the rigorous standards, MSPO has been instrumental in raising the overall standards of the industry with respect to ensuring sustainability and promoting good agricultural practices throughout the supply chain.

"We have also ensured that the MSPO standards are continuously being improved. Starting in the year 2022, MSPO 2.0 incorporates additional sustainability requirements such as High Conservation Value (HCV) areas such as conserving natural habitats within plantations, a No-deforestation cut-off date, Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and others.

"I am also happy to note that our industry players have made commendable strides in promoting sustainability and biodiversity conservation. Currently, 54.9 per cent of Malaysia remains under forest cover, based on numbers reported by Malaysia to the United Nations in December 2023.

"Many of the large estates have taken the initiative to embark on biodiversity conservation projects which is very much in line with my hope for positioning the Malaysian palm oil industry as a global leader in sustainable production," Johari said.

On the global front, Malaysia exported 81 per cent or 15.1 million tonnes, out of 18.6 million tonnes of palm oil produced.

Exports to the EU stood at 3.4 million tonnes values at RM16 billion or a 15 per cent share while India and China each accounted for 3.4 million tonnes and 3.3 million tonnes of Malaysia's exports last year.

Johari added that biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecological balance. It contributes to vital ecosystem services such as pest control, soil health, carbon capture, wildlife habitat, pollination and soil fertility.

"By promoting biodiversity conservation, oil palm producers can foster agricultural productivity, improve resilience to environmental stressors such as disease outbreak and support long-term sustainability goals.

"In essence, biodiversity is not merely a luxury but a necessity for sustainable and resilient oil palm production. In this spirit, I would like to encourage us all to keep exploring new ideas. A fresh and meaningful advocacy approach with our ddomestic and international stakeholders could come in the form of protecting one of Malaysia's national treasures," he said.

The MPOGCF is an initiative spearheaded by the ministry, aimed at supporting conservation efforts within the palm oil industry, demonstrating Malaysia's dedication to environmental preservation.

The three-day Biodiversity Forum 2024 is taking place at Resorts World Awana here until May 9.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2024/05/1047687/johari-urges-industry-players-be-proactive-extolling