20/5/07 The Star  -  MIRI: Malaysia will meet British and European parliamentarians to counter allegations by non-governmental organisations that the Malaysian oil palm industry was killing wildlife and destroying forests.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said he would explain the reality to British MPs in London and members of the European Parliament in Brussels about “our efforts to conserve the environment and biodiversity while we develop our palm oil industry.”

“The Cabinet wants to counter European anti-palm oil activists on their own home ground,” he said yesterday.

Chin, the MP for Miri, will visit Britain, Belgium and Holland from June 3 to 10, accompanied by industry leaders. 

On another matter, Chin said the Government would compensate palm oil suppliers to ensure that they continue to pack cooking oil in small packets and keep retail prices down. 

Chin said the “cooking oil stabilisation scheme” would involve compensating 11 palm oil millers and 193 packaging companies. 

“For the January to May period, RM145.41mil is needed to pay these millers and packagers,” he added.