The Borneo Post (27/11/2017) - KUCHING: Dayak Oil Palm Planters Association (DOPPA) is relieved that Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has issued a circular to cancel its’ earlier decision to freeze the renewal and issuance of license to smallholders without land title.

DOPPA vice president, Rita Insol said it is back to status quo now after they sought help from Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to intervene on this matter.

“DOPPA sought YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah’s help on this matter. MPOB has withdrawn the circular after YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah intervened. It is back to status quo now,” DOPPA vice president, Rita told The Borneo Post.

The decision to freeze the renewal and issuance of license to smallholders without land title was stated in a memorandum by MPOB dated Nov 20 entitled: “Penangguhan Pemerosesan Lesen Baru Dan Pembaharuan Lesen Pekebun Kecil Berstatus Tanah Tidak Bergeran” (Postponement Processing of New License and Renewal of Smallholders With Status Land Without Grant).

Many smallholders believed that the issuance of the memorandum is a ‘death knell’ to opening oil palm plantation on NCR lands.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas when contacted, disclosed that he will be meeting MPOB in Kuala Lumpur today.

“I am meeting MPOB to finalise the matter today. I protested to the Minister the other day on the new policy. It is bad for Sarawak Oil Palm smallholders,” Uggah stressed.