Palm oil industry must come clean

THE biggest and most obvious threat to the palm oil industry is the industry itself (“Unilever’s action may start a precedent,” The Star, Dec 15).

It is either unable or unwilling to mend its bad practices. Further evidence of this is the fact that Unilever studied the evidence from Greenpeace and decided there was at least a case to answer, but seemingly so compelling was the evidence that Sinar Mas had been cheating that Unilever decided to end its contractual obligations with it.

If anyone thinks Unilever took such a major decision without first studying the evidence and consulting their lawyers, then they don’t understand the commercial world.

No one internationally would for a moment take seriously a “Malaysian Palm” brand. How could they when Malaysian palm oil companies either own or invest in plantations across the border in Kalimantan and Sumatra?

I say again to the palm oil industry: get out of denial about the true cost of your palm oil to the poor, the rainforests, wildlife and the climate.

You know you are responsible for the catastrophic damage caused to all by your overzealous expansion drive. Save your money by not hiring consultants to try and spin you out of trouble – it will never work.

It just makes the industry look foolish and is fast becoming a public relations disaster in the making for the palm oil industry. The truth will always win out in the end.

It will be much cheaper if the industry were to simply change its operating methods, and engage with commitment and sincerity those who simply want to save the environment for future generations to benefit from and enjoy. Now, that’s not a lot to ask is it?

SEAN WHYTE,
London.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/17/focus/5318675&sec=focus

Hall of Shame for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Palm Oil Industry.

Nothing can prepare one for the sight of the systematic extermination of orangutans by the government of Indonesia.

Look at the photos and news articles on these pages in the context of a statement the President made to the media on 10th December 2007.

“In the last 35 years about 50,000 orangutans are estimated to have been lost as their habitats shrank. If this continues, this majestic creature will likely face extinction by 2050,” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the launch of an orangutan conservation plan at the climate talks in Bali.

“The fate of the orangutan is a subject that goes to the heart of sustainable forests … To save the orangutan we have to save the forest.”

Statements like these are most welcome, but unless backed up by action, such words fall on deaf ears within the Ministry of Forestry....who are busy granting licences to cut down the very forests the President says they should protect!

When you think you are to busy to help, please could you reflect for a moment on .........

The following extract refers to environmental problems in general. I just hope you find it as thought provoking and relevant to orangutans as I have.

"This is such a shocking and unpalatable fact that most people deny it, or they just don't want to think about it. They believe as individuals, they can do little about it, so push it to the back of their minds. But I can't do that.

When something has to be done, we need to do it. It doesn't matter how big the challenge is or how hard the solution; if I know something is wrong, and I am in a position to help, I will do my best to make it right." Duncan Bannatyne, successful British businessman.