14/09/2012 (The Inquirer) - Sime Darby Plantation Liberia (SDPL) Inc.  has vehemently denied any allegations on impropriety in their relations with Counsellor Alfred Brownell and Green Advocates. In a statement issued yesterday, the company said this was in response to the statement made by the Hon. 1 Milton Teahjay, Superintendent of Sinoe County on ELBC radio, on Monday 03 September 2012.

In its statement, the company said it is working hard to ensure that all its policies and standards on sustainable agriculture and practices, particularly with regards to social and environmental best practices, are observed meaningfully and in accordance with local cultures, laws and beliefs.

It said the company believes in working together and engaging with the local communities, civil society groups and NGOs, either with the organization directly or their representatives.

The company said its interaction with Green Advocates (GA) and other NGOS is on the Project Affected Communities (PAC).

It said as a legal representative of these communities, Green Advocates works with these affected communities to ensure that all the issues raised by the PAC are adequately addressed and sustained. The PAC had raised a number of issues to SDPL, whereby these regular and direct engagement sessions with communities are a part of SDPL's own internal policy and adhering to the FPIC guidelines under the New Planting Procedures (NPP) of the RSPO.

The company said in the statement that the entire FPIC process with PAC is also co-ordinated and monitored by the Land Commission, a special body formed by the GOL to assist SDPL to manage the social issues effectively.

“SDPL highly respects and appreciates GA's role in facilitating our engagement with local communities on a multi stakeholder basis. We are concerned that the false allegations expressed by the Supt of Sinoe County may derail that process and undermine the prospects for economic transformation through large scale oil palm plantation development in Liberia, “ the statement concluded.

Sime Darby Plantation is one of the world's largest plantation companies, producing some 6°k of the global crude palm oil (CPO) output. It operates oil palm plantations in Malaysia, Indonesia and Liberia, and is one of the co-founders of the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a multi stakeholder grouping that oversees the industry. Sime Darby Plantation also has downstream operations across the globe, producing oils & fats for various industries, as well as oleochemicals. It is also present in the consumer goods sector, producing cooking oil and fruit juices, among others.

It is part of Sime Darby Group, a Malaysia-based diversified multinational involved in key growth sectors, namely plantations, property, motors, industrial equipment, energy & utilities and healthcare. Founded in 1910, its business divisions seek to create positive benefits in the economy, environment and society where it has a presence. It is one of the largest companies on Bursa Malaysia.

With a workforce of over 100,000 employees in over 20 countries, Sime Darby is committed to building a sustainable future for all its stakeholders. This is enshrined in its tagline, “Developing Sustainable Futures”.

Sime Darby is a Malaysia-based diversified multinational involved in key growth sectors, namely plantation, property, motors, industrial equipment, energy & utilities and healthcare. Founded in 1910, its business divisions seek to create positive benefits in the economy, environment and society where it has a presence.

With a workforce of over 100,000 employees in over 20 countries, Sime Darby is committed to building a sustainable future for all its stakeholders. It is one of the largest companies on Bursa Malaysia with a market capitalisation of RM53.36bn (USD16.73bn) as of'24 November 2011.