Gala night: Johari (eighth from left) with media friends at the MPOB gala dinner in Putrajaya. With him are Mohamad Helmy (seventh from left), Plantation and Commodities Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Planning Management), Datuk Abdul Hadi Omar (eighth from right) and MPOB director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir (seventh from right) and Ng (fifth from right). — GLENN GUAN/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Despite facing various challenges, the government will safeguard the oil palm industry, ensuring it continues generating export revenue.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said Malaysia exports more than 19.3 million tonnes of palm oil annually and is the world’s second biggest producer.
He said palm oil generated billions of ringgit in export revenue last year and one million job opportunities.
Speaking to the media during the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) 25th anniversary celebration at a hotel here last night, he commended the board for its immense contribution to the industry over the past 25 years.
“Due to the benefits we reap, we have to conserve an industry like this at all times.
“Although it is tough at times with environment-related issues and others that we need to look into, we have to ensure we have a sustainable market,” he said.
Johari said Malaysia’s current largest export markets for palm oil are Europe, India and China, which collectively contribute over 40% of total exports.
“But we cannot disregard the United States, because in addition to palm oil, we also export rubber gloves – more than RM8bil annually, wood products – nearly RM6.5bil, and cocoa at around RM1.6bil.
“Total commodity exports to the United States alone amount to about RM20bil to RM21bil.
“Although the US is not the biggest buyer of palm oil, it is still quite significant at RM4.9bil,” he said.
Meanwhile, MPOB chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the board is committed to continuing leading the development of the country’s oil palm industry towards a smarter, more sustainable and competitive one, in line with the national agenda of empowering the green economy.
He said various strategic initiatives are being implemented to strengthen the industry’s ecosystem.
“They include the development of palm biodiesel as an environment-friendly alternative energy and the production of palm-based oleochemical products that meet green standards and global market demand.
“Moving forward, MPOB will continue to strengthen its commitment to support the nation’s aspirations by developing a more inclusive, sustainable and competitive oil palm ecosystem,” he said.
At the event, Johari also presented tokens of appreciation to media companies.
Also present at the function was Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng.
