Malaysian palm giant Sime Darby says it will work with environmental groups

Indonesia and Malaysia are the top two producers of palm oil, the cultivation of which is blamed for large scale deforestation in Southeast Asia and for endangering wildlife, such as orangutans and pygmy elephants.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's biggest palm oil producer Sime Darby said on Friday it is committed to working with environmental groups, days after a senior executive called for government action against them.

Franki Anthony Dass, chief advisor and value officer at Sime Darby Plantation - the world's biggest palm oil company by land size - told an industry forum on Tuesday that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were orchestrating attacks on palm oil.