24.11.2020 (www.nst.com.my) - KUALA LUMPUR: The Secretariat of the Council Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has questioned selective reporting by Associated Press (AP), saying statements from a few unconfirmed interviews were selected as an intentional slur to harm the image of palm oil as a whole.

CPOPC's statement is in response to AP's reports claiming that its investigation had revealed brutal treatment of women in the production of palm oil on vast plantations across Malaysia and Indonesia.

The council said the CPOPC member countries as well as all of its stakeholders did not tolerate nor condone any violations of national laws which protect the rights of women to a fair and safe working environment.

"The secretariat understands the extreme sensitivities and the reluctance of victims to report perpetrators and hence expects that the Associated Press will work with the relevant agencies and ministries to bring these perpetrators to face the full force of the law.

"However, extra caution should be made not to generalise perhaps isolated lamentable incidents into a black campaign against palm oil," it said.

CPOPC, nevertheless, said it would look into the allegations as a matter of urgency.

"The elimination of sexual discrimination as well as harassment in the workplace of the palm oil industry is at utmost priority of CPOPC.

"The industry commits to human-centred development by putting the wellbeing, respect and protection of human rights, including rights of workers and women, in its core mission.

"As part of its strong commitment and transparency, the secretariat will share the results of the investigations by the parties concerned on the allegations."

On the other hand, CPOPC said it could not accept and would fight smear campaigns, prompted by different motives and interests, directed at the palm oil industry.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2020/11/643910/cpopc-questions-aps-biased-reporting