MARKET DEVELOPMENT
MPOB Warns Against Purchasing Stolen FFB In Sarawak
MPOB Warns Against Purchasing Stolen FFB In Sarawak
11/06/2014 (Bernama) - The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has warned against the purchase of stolen fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in the state, saying it would not renew licences or withdraw those of manufacturers and traders indulging in such an act.
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the tough decision was necessary in view of the rise in the number of cases of FFB theft in Sarawak from 289 in 2012 to 304 last year.
"MPOB has the power to take action against manufacturers and traders who purchase the illegal FFB. We will as such take stern action arising from an agreement reached at a meeting Tuesday.
"MPOB will enforce as well as take a number of other stern action against those who are stubborn in wanting to still purchase the illegal FFB.We will cancel or not renew licences if they breach its terms," he added.
Uggah said this at a media conference after the meeting between him, manufacturers and FFB Traders here Monday night.
The almost two-hour meeting chaired by him also featured representatives of his ministry, MPOB, the state government, the police, 180 traders and 65 FFB manufacturers, to discuss the best way to overcome the issue of FFB theft, particularly in Sarawak.
The meeting was also aimed at receiving feedback on the issue and how the stolen FFB was reaching manufacturers.
Uggah said the process of controlling FFB theft was complicated, but expressed confidence that through monitoring the source of the FFB reaching manufacturers, its legality in terms of purchase could be determined.
"We believe that the stealing will stop when the buying ends," he added.
Meanwhile, MPOB's Sarawak Regional Chief Sulim Lumong in detailing the FFB theft said, reports were received from 20 estates throughout the state on the issue last year.
"The 20 estates cover an area of 57,000 hectares, while the FFB theft happened over an estimated 18,000 hectares. Some of the estates suffered losses of almost RM1.1 million as a result of this activity.
"At the same time, three estates, two in Baram and one in Batu Niah are deemed to have suffered critical FFB losses," he added.
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the tough decision was necessary in view of the rise in the number of cases of FFB theft in Sarawak from 289 in 2012 to 304 last year.
"MPOB has the power to take action against manufacturers and traders who purchase the illegal FFB. We will as such take stern action arising from an agreement reached at a meeting Tuesday.
"MPOB will enforce as well as take a number of other stern action against those who are stubborn in wanting to still purchase the illegal FFB.We will cancel or not renew licences if they breach its terms," he added.
Uggah said this at a media conference after the meeting between him, manufacturers and FFB Traders here Monday night.
The almost two-hour meeting chaired by him also featured representatives of his ministry, MPOB, the state government, the police, 180 traders and 65 FFB manufacturers, to discuss the best way to overcome the issue of FFB theft, particularly in Sarawak.
The meeting was also aimed at receiving feedback on the issue and how the stolen FFB was reaching manufacturers.
Uggah said the process of controlling FFB theft was complicated, but expressed confidence that through monitoring the source of the FFB reaching manufacturers, its legality in terms of purchase could be determined.
"We believe that the stealing will stop when the buying ends," he added.
Meanwhile, MPOB's Sarawak Regional Chief Sulim Lumong in detailing the FFB theft said, reports were received from 20 estates throughout the state on the issue last year.
"The 20 estates cover an area of 57,000 hectares, while the FFB theft happened over an estimated 18,000 hectares. Some of the estates suffered losses of almost RM1.1 million as a result of this activity.
"At the same time, three estates, two in Baram and one in Batu Niah are deemed to have suffered critical FFB losses," he added.