20/04/2011 (The Star) - Malaysia must identify and invest in its specific role and leadership position in sustainable oil palm production to utilise the commodity through innovation and generate new wealth for the economy, a professor from a renowned Dutch technical research university said.

Professor Dr Luuk A.M. van der Wielen from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands said by undertaking this specific role, Malaysia would also be able to absorb international technologies and investments.

In the process, the country would clearly be meeting its global responsibility and drive towards a green economy, Dr van der Wielen, a visiting professor at the Institute for Bioproduct Development of University Technology Malaysia, told Bernama in an e-mail yesterday.

With its leadership position in sustainable oil palm, Malaysia would have an excellent starting position for further innovation.

Responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s launch of selected projects under the New Wealth Creation and Ecosystem Initiatives, Malaysia 2021 and Beyond, including an oil palm biomass roadmap to Malaysia, he said the use of palm biomass would add further value and sustainability.

However, he stressed that much learning could be done from, for instance, the Brazilian sugar industry with its different systems of harvesting, biomass processing as well as nutrient and carbon returns.

He said the oil palm biomass roadmap would help to further develop the Malaysian leadership position in oil palm while capitalising on international developments. – Bernama