Tuesday 11 August 2009

Hamzah: Allegations That Malaysia Is Destroying Forests Untrue

personal note: Some people never

get out of denial.


This person wants people to think

the photos and newspaper

articles you read here are all fiction.

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August 11, 2009 17:40 PM


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The allegation by some international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that Malaysia is destroying its natural forests to plant oil palm is untrue, said the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Hamzah Zainudin.

"In reality, we have proven to the world that the natural forest cover in the country comprises 60 percent of our total land area.

"Therefore, it is untrue when they state that we are destroying the natural forests to plant oil palm.They are actually afraid that our production of palm oil is of a better quality compared to the edible food oils that come from other plants," he said when asked about the speculation by European NGOs that Malaysia was destroying its forests and habitation of the Orang Utan for the purpose of planting oil palm.

Hamzah had earlier launched a publicity programme to enhance the use of local timber organised by the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) here.

He said those making the allegation had the intention to curtail the development of Malaysia's palm oil industry and not due to a desire to save wildlife said to be endangered by the opening up of forests.

Asked about the measures being taken by the government to overcome the allegations, Hamzah said one of the steps was to continue highlighting to the world, the stability of the palm oil being produced by the country.

"When we talk about upstream activities, we have our own guidelines on how to plant palm oil or other commodities. We also have boards like the malaysian Palm Oil Board to seriously look into the matter and not just simply plant oil palm.

"All this while, we have been informing the world, that we are producing products from commodities in a sustainable manner," he said.

--BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=431925