Teresa Kok
KUALA LUMPUR: The Primary Industries Ministry is counting on the Sarawak state government to take appropriate measures to resolve the issue of the development of an oil palm plantation in the vicinity of Mulu National Park, Sarawak, as land is a state matter.
Its minister, Teresa Kok said appropriate measures must be taken to resolve the matter in the interest of the state, indigenous people and national sustainability agenda.
“I am very concerned with reports on the development of an oil palm plantation in the vicinity of Mulu National Park, Sarawak. This is a World Heritage site and the development is being disputed by the indigenous people,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Kok said she had contacted Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to express her concern and was monitoring the issue very closely. “I will be presenting a paper on ‘Sustainability of Oil Palm Cultivation in Malaysia’ at the 133rd Meeting of Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers this Feb 26.
“This will also address the country’s current policy relating to the expansion of oil palm plantations with a view that recommendations could be adopted nationwide by the state authorities,” she said.
Kok said the ministry would continue to engage with all state governments and agencies to collectively formulate through a consultative process, national policies that promote the sustainability of oil palm cultivation, the preservation of natural forests and wildlife conservation.
“These measures are also extremely important to help the nation and the palm oil industry address and overcome the intense anti-palm oil campaign that currently threatens our key Western hemisphere markets and the livelihood of our small holders,” she said.
A news portal has reported that a non-governmental organisation, Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) had claimed that a local company had started deforestation work for a 4,400-hectare oil palm plantation near Mulu National Park.
On Wednesday, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker, Datuk Gerawat Gala was reported as saying that an oil palm plantation giant had been given official notice to immediately stop clearing the forest at the fringes of the park. — Bernama