KUCHING: An annual Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) inspection of a palm oil mill in Lundu had led to a restriction on the acquisition of fresh fruit bunches (FFB).
According to the Plantation and Commodities Ministry the Sampadi Palm Oil Mill, owned by FGV Palm Industries Sdn Bhd (FGVPI), had issued a notice dated Nov 24, to inform external oil palm fruit suppliers about the inspection.
The FGVPI management informed that the said inspection will take place from Dec 1-8.
“Therefore, the mill was unable to purchase or deal with oil palm fruits from the suppliers throughout the period to guarantee the fruit’s quality and readiness for processing.
“It is a proactive action by FGVPI so that oil palm fruit suppliers can plan their sales in advance,” said the ministry in a statement on Saturday (Dec 17).
The clarification followed a report from dayakdaily.com that its minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, had been urged to investigate concerns from oil palm smallholders about FFB purchase restrictions.
In the report, Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen was quoted as saying that the ministry concerned must look into the interest of these smallholders.
He visited the mill after receiving complaints from smallholders that the mill had restricted the purchase of oil palm FFB.
“Estate smallholders rely solely on the sale of FFB to sustain their farm. If they can’t sell their FFB expeditiously, they will suffer losses,” said Chong.
Therefore the Ministry, through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), has taken appropriate action to deal with such issues by setting licence conditions in the Palm Fruit Factory (MF) category.
“Any oil palm fruit mill that wants to close its operation for more than two days must inform the MPOB no less than 14 days from the date of factory closure from Jan 1, 2023.
“The Ministry through MPOB will continue to monitor the current situation and developments involving palm fruit transactions in the market in addition to safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.
“Hopefully the country’s oil palm industry will continue to be preserved for the prosperity and well-being of the people,” it said.
