MPOB: We’ll accept credible explanations

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KUCHING: Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) yesterday said replies from those issued with show-cause letters would be vetted in accordance with the law.

Recently, MPOB issued the letters to millers, dealers, and smallholders for suspected breach of licensing regulations.

“As of today, MPOB has issued show-cause letters to a miller and 11 fresh fruit bunch (FFB) dealers for buying from doubtful sources. We have also issued a show-cause letter to a smallholder for selling FFB that exceeded the acreage stipulated in the licence,” said a MPOB spokesman in a statement.

“The show-cause letters were to get additional information from the mentioned miller, smallholder, and FFB dealers with regards to the buying or selling of FFB from doubtful sources.”

The statement was issued in response to Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (Soppoa)’s recent call to MPOB to assure everyone on the validity of allegations made against those issued with show-cause letters.

Soppoa was reported saying in a news report on August 28 that the allegations included illegal harvesting of FFB, trading in stolen FFB, and buying fruits beyond permitted levels.

One MPOB allegation that affected mills and dealers, according to the association, was that smallholders were selling FFB beyond the expected yield based on their planted acreage.

Stressing that millers should not be punished, Soppoa said MPOB should verify practices at the mills before resorting to drastic action against them.

Meanwhile, on Soppoa’s call to its member mills to assist all smallholders/farmers who are located within their vicinities by accepting their crops when delivered, MPOB said it supported such call, but it must “only accept FFB from licensed smallholders”.