Palm planters make urgent appeal to govt

Top on the list is shortage of workers, particularly harvesters

PETALING JAYA: Oil palm industry players nationwide have made an urgent appeal to the government to effectively address critical issues such as the current severe shortage of workers, burdening cess and taxation, and market access which are eroding the industry’s competitiveness.

This appeal is made in a joint-statement by 12 associations – Malaysian Palm Oil Association, Malaysian Estate Owners’ Association, National Association of Smallholders, Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association, Palm Oil Millers Association, Palm Oil Refiners Association of Malaysia, Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers, Malayan Edible Oil Manufacturers’ Association, the Incorporated Society of Planters, Malayan Agricultural Producers Association, Sabah Employers Consultative Association and Tawau Agricultural Association.