Nature Alert: Malaysia Under Watch On Practices Adopted For Palm Oil Production

Monday, 21 June 2010

Malaysia Under Watch On Practices Adopted For Palm Oil Production

Malaysia Under Watch On Practices Adopted For Palm Oil Production

KOTA KINABALU, June 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, being a world leader as a palm oil producer and exporter, has always come under criticism on the practices it adopted for mass production of the commodity, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin.

"Because the world has become borderless, whatever we do in Malaysia, has ripple effects in other parts of the world, either directly or indirectly, in monetary and non-monetary terms as well. This is the reality.

"(Hence), we must act in a responsible manner to various stakeholders of the industry, including the world at large.

"We are as much concerned for destruction of natural forests and wildlife habitats and the effects the global warming can bring," he said, referring to irresponsible balding of hills and forests to make way for oil palm plantations.

However, Malaysia had always developed eco-friendly practices arising from demands and challenges placed on the industry, he said in his speech when opening the Incorporated Society of Planters National Seminar (Natsem) 2010 here on Monday.

The text of his speech was read out by State Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries Datuk Bobbey Ahfang Suan.

Yahya urged plantation and commodity industries players to take advantage of seminars and events involving the industries to share and discuss best plantation practices to prove their responsibility to the environment.

He hoped the Incorporated Society of Natsem 2010 themed "Good Plantation Practices" would propel the industry to move a step ahead of its competitors and forge a winning formula for a sustainable position.

"The plantation sector has been a very significant economic contributor to the Malaysian economy for over 30 years.

"(Hence), we must sustain the best possible ways, either technologically or by whatever methods and practices adopted.

"It is our duty to mobilise all our expertise and resources to sustain its continuity," he added.

-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=507461

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.