KUCHING: Malaysia hopes that the European Union (EU) will be more open and recognise the country’s efforts and commitment towards the sustainable cultivation of palm products.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the country’s commitment has never changed to meet the conditions of sustainably growing oil palm trees.
“Malaysia is committed to complying with world standards; in fact, we have introduced many laws and regulations regarding sustainable agricultural practices.
“We have developed the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSOP) certification scheme, which is our own standard that guarantees our palm oil is sustainable in terms of all its practices.
“When the EU introduces another new regulation, it seems to restrict the production of our products.
“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has already spoken to the Germany President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to support us so that the EU looks back at the regulation so that it can be taken into account by our country and the other product-producing countries, such as Indonesia and Thailand,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after officiating at the Petra Jaya parliamentary-level Cancer Awareness Day at Klinik Kesihatan Petra Jaya here today (Feb 18).
Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Plantation and Commodities, said the government has discussed with Indonesia how to bring the EU sanctions issue to the ASEAN level.
In May this year, Malaysia and Indonesia are set to present at the European Parliament about the MPSO that has been developed by Malaysia and the steps taken by Indonesia to ensure the sustainability of oil palm plantations.
“We hope that they (the EU) will not undermine what we have developed and the efforts we have undertaken to comply with world standards,” he said.
On another matter, Fadillah said the federal government will not compromise in defending the rights and sovereignty of the country, especially in dealing with claims made by the Sulu group against national assets.
He said the country’s stance remains unchanged despite having to face the Sulu group’s demands in different countries.
He also said the federal government is continuing its efforts to raise awareness about how these claims are unfounded in other European countries.
“These claims pose a threat to our country in an economic context because they may have ‘funders’ who see an opportunity to make a profit,” he said.
Earlier, Luxembourg court bailiffs issued fresh seizure orders for two units of state oil firm Petronas following a bid by descendants of a former sultanate to enforce a US$15 billion (RM66 billion) award they had won against Malaysia, according to the heirs’ lawyer and court documents seen by Reuters.
Fadillah stated that Petronas will contest any claims made on its assets, while the government will defend the country’s rights and sovereignty through the Attorney General (AG).
