Panel can resolve alleged forced labour issues, says Zuraida

Malaysia's Commodities and Plantations Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin speaks during an interview with Reuters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 10, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

PUTRAJAYA: The setting up of a working committee between Malaysia and the United States to address the issue of alleged forced labour is an equitable move to resolve palm oil and rubber industry issues, says Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.

In welcoming the decision by the United States via its Customs and Border Protection Department (CBP) to set up the committee with the Malaysian government, she said the move was in the right direction to resolve the long-standing issue that had unfairly plagued local industries, in particular palm oil and rubber.