Shamsul defends M’sian palm oil firms in Indonesia
The Star Online (17/10/2019) - MALAYSIAN-OWNED palm oil companies accused of being involved in open burning in Indonesia adopt sustainable cultivation and plantation practices, says Deputy Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar.
Shamsul said these companies adhered to the standards of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification, as well as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification.
He said all of the certifications were internationally recognised.
“If it is proven that these companies were involved in open burning, action can be taken against them under local laws. For example, if it happens in our country, action can be taken under 60 rules and legislation, which include the Land Acquisition Act 1960, the National Land Code (1965) and Quality Act 1974.
“Besides that, there are 25 licensing categories in the entire palm oil industry supply chain to ensure the industry players fulfil the stringent requirements, ” he said when replying to Willie Mongin (PH-Puncak Borneo) during Question Time.
Willie had asked the ministry whether Malaysian palm oil companies were involved in the forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia.
Shamsul, who quoted news reports, said several open fires in Indonesia were started by small-scale farmers and it spread to the vicinity of palm oil plantations owned by the Malaysian companies.
He said among the factors that caused open fires in Indonesia were the prolonged drought season, the El Nino phenomenon as well as a warmer natural climate.