17/09/2014 (The Star) - Palm oil transporters have proposed to form an association to address issues and to promote safety within the industry.

More than 20 companies gathered on Sept 5 to discuss the possibility of setting up an association for this purpose.

The gathering was organised by the Sidhu Brothers.

“We simply want to take a step forward to improve our industry. We only facilitate,” said commercial director Jimmy Sidhu in a statement.

One of the issues raised was palm oil theft, which has now moved from operations in hot spots to hijacking of trailers.

Participants revealed that on average, two tankers filled with palm oil were being hijacked each month. In August, three tanker trailers were reported stolen.

There are more than 3,000 tanker trailers in Malaysia moving palm oil.

Other concerns were rising costs and the discrepancies of deliveries. He is proposing a standard or guideline for the latter.

He claimed that discrepancies of deliveries occurred because weigh bridges were easily re-calibrated.