MPOB to take legal action against two palm oil traders

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KUCHING: The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) will take legal action against two palm oil traders in Sarawak, who will be brought to court on suspicion of trading fresh fruit bunches (FFB) without license.

The traders’ premises were raided by MPOB enforcement teams during Ops Sawit Kenyalang held to curb the theft of FFB in the state.

During the raid, a total of 32.01 tonnes of FFB worth RM11,270.55 were confiscated due to failure in presenting valid documents for buying and selling FFBs, MPOB said in a statement yesterday.

In a separate raid on a palm oil nursery, MPOB enforcement also seized 15,979 seedlings worth around RM250,000 on suspicion of producing palm oil crops without an MPOB license.

Investigative reports are currently being completed for MPOB to take legal action on the two palm oil traders and palm oil nursery operator under the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Regulations 2005.

Meanwhile, MPOB issued 36 showcause letters within the four-month span since the launch of Ops Sawit Kenyalang on July 1 this year to resolve the issue of rampant FFB thefts in Sarawak

The operation initially focused on Serian-Simunjan, Selangau, and Miri- Marudi.

As of October, four Ops Sawit Kenyalang operations had been carried out involving all areas throughout the state except Limbang.

The operation will continue to be enforced until Dec 31.

Under Act 582 (licensing regulations), all palm oil industry players including smallholders must be registered with MPOB to conduct any activity regarding the palm oil industry.

In order to facilitate smallholders to apply or renew their license, MPOB organised a Smallholders’ License Registration Programme in Serian in October.

The programme will be expanded to other areas in the state to facilitate the respective smallholders.