KUALA LUMPUR – Neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia are expected to lead a joint mission overseas later this year in a bid to counter the ongoing lobby by scores of foreign countries against palm oil, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said today.
He said this matter will be further deliberated upon when he meets his Indonesian counterpart in an official working visit scheduled to take place next month.
“One of my intentions of meeting with my counterpart is (to discuss) the joint mission between Malaysia and Indonesia, where we will travel to the European Union and the rest of the world as one group.
“We can strategise and work together with Indonesia, and I believe we will be able to address any concerns and negative perceptions about our palm oil,” he told reporters after attending an event here today.
Asked if there is any specific timeline on when the joint mission can be expected, Fadillah said: “I have to go to Indonesia and firm up with my counterpart, only then can we decide when. But it will be this year.”
Fadillah, who is also plantation and commodities minister, was responding to questions from the media on whether there have been recent communications with the EU with regard to palm oil exports.
This comes after he said last week that Malaysia might consider halting the export of the commodity to the EU in retaliation for the trade bloc’s new proposed deforestation regulations.
Among others, the regulations state that six commodity products, including palm oil, that are grown on land subjected to deforestation or forest degradation will be banned from entering the EU market.
Fadillah had said then that Malaysia would also involve Indonesia in any discussions on the matter.
The two Southeast Asian nations are currently by far the top palm oil producers in the world, accounting for more than 80% of the global supply.
Commenting further on the issue today, Fadillah said while both Malaysia and the EU depend on each other in trade matters, this has to be done on a fair basis.
“You cannot discriminate against others just because you want to protect so and so. What we should do is be together. If there are weaknesses on our part, tell us so we can improve, as long as it’s fair.”
On his visit to Indonesia next month, Fadillah said this is a follow up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent work trip to the republic. Anwar had come to an agreement with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to cooperate in campaigning against the EU’s discrimination.
“Now, we have to work out all the details (and the) ways we can work together, and by doing so, help improve (any) products produced from the two nations, as far as palm oil is concerned.
“Hopefully by then, the EU and the rest of the world will accept our products,” he added. – The Vibes, January 19, 2023
