KUCHING: The palm oil sector is unaffected by the two-week movement control order, which started on Wednesday.
National Association of Smallholders Malaysia secretary general Syed Abd Rahman Syed Noh said in a statement that the National Security Council did not impose restrictions on activities in the palm oil commodity sector.
These activities are planting, buying and selling, as well as milling and collecting the oil palm fruits as these are essential services.
“This industry has been categorised as essential to the economy of the local community and the nation. Therefore all activities at
the collection companies and processing plants can continue,” he said.
However, the association said it would still be up to the individual companies and plants whether or not to carry on operating during the movement control order period, as part of the effort to contain Covid-19.
When contacted, Malaysia Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak secretary Andrew Lo questioned why oil palm sector players could continue operating during this period.
“What is the rationale to exempt the oil palm industry from restricted movement when micro businesses such as local cobblers and tailoring have to close?
“It seems that the oil palm industry is so powerful that it can dictate government policy,” he claimed.