JOHOR BAHARU, May 24 (Bernama) -- The Palm Kernel based Oleochemicalsub-sector needs to be developed and expanded to give added value to thepalm oil industry and enhance its comptitiveness, Johor Menteri BesarDatuk Abdul Ghani Othman said today.He said the palm loil based sub-sector was one of the industries with bigpotential in Malaysia and particularly in Johor which was the biggestproducer of palm oil in the country."In the area of palm oil production, Malaysia is facing tough competitionfrom other producer nations particularly from the aspect of productioncost,"he said when opening the Palm Oil Carnival organised by theMalaysian Palm Oil Promotion Council (MPOPC) here.He said with advances in palm oil technology, development and research,Malaysia could emerge as the foremost nation in the field of oleochemicalwhich had many advantages compared to other vegetable oils.Some 640,000 hectares in Johor were planted with oil palm and thisrepresented about 18 per cent of the total area under oil palm inMalaysia, he said.The Menteri Besari said the development of the oleochemical sub sectorwould bring immense benefits to settlers and smallholders in Johor.Speaking to the press after the opening, Abdul Ghani said the MPOPC andother related government agencies should intensify the campaign to promotepalm oil from the health aspect among consumers.Accurate information could drown the claims made by anti-palm oillobbyists campaigning for other vegetable oils, he added.The carnival at Plaza City Square, which ends on Sunday, is aimed atenlightening consumers including Singaporeans on the benefits of palm oil.

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