28/10/2008 (The Star Online), Kuantan - The Plantation, Industries and Commodities Mini­stry has visited 16 estates owned by 10 companies nationwide in a move to check on compliance with corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Deputy minister A. Kohilan Pillay said in general, the ministry was satisfied with the companies’ performance.

He added that the objective of the visits was to see whether the companies were taking efforts to accommodate the workers’ welfare and social needs.

”Among them are housing, worship centres, children’s playgrounds and kindergartens, clinics, multipurpose halls and schools.

”From the visits made, the ministry is rather satisfied with the companies in meeting with the needs of the workers,” he told reporters after officially opening a career talk on the plantation, industry and commodity sectors in the country here recently.

Kohilan later went to visit Felda Plantations Sdn Bhd in Lepar Hilir in Gambang here.

Kohilan also said the ministry was happy that one aspect the companies had focused on was building schools for the workers’ children.

”The ministry has visited 14 schools in the plantations.

”At least three more will be built as the companies have set aside a portion of land for the purpose,” he added.

He urged the companies to hand over the schools to the Government so the status from being partially-aided schools could be changed to fully-aided schools.

Kohilan also said major palm oil companies should concentrate on replanting the crop now because the palm oil price had gone down.

”By doing this, it will reduce the supply of palm oil and the present stock can be used for production,” he said.

However, Kohilan said he believed that the price would go up again as there would be more festivities in the country and that it would be winter soon in certain countries which would see an increase in demand for fuel.