PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Palm Oil Association has lashed out at the continued “attacks” that the industry has received over the years.
Its chief executive, Mohamad Nageeb Wahab, questioned whether there was a hidden agenda behind negative media coverage of palm oil and rulings such as the European Union’s ban of palm oil on environmental grounds.
Speaking at an online summit on future-proofing the industry, Nageeb described the criticisms as “greenbashing”.
He said the palm oil industry had never taken the offensive position in dispelling competitors’ claims. All communications on the virtues of palm oil have been based in science, but competitors often use manufactured facts to belittle palm oil.”
Last month, an Associated Press report detailed allegations of sexual abuse against women working at oil palm plantations.
Nageeb said the impact of oil palm estates on the environment continue to be given wide coverage despite sustainable practices being implemented.
He said certifying bodies used environmental and labour criteria, and questioned why stakeholders were still being harassed despite meeting these standards.
Environmental Protection Society Malaysia president Nithi Nesadurai said the path to overcoming the stigma associated with the oil palm sector was raising certification standards.
“Go for the highest level possible. Go beyond expectations and implement the highest standards.”
He added that these efforts to improve certification must also be adequately communicated to the mass media.
“Remember, once perception is created, it’s hard to change, especially in the minds of consumers. You can convince the regulators and the manufacturers, but if members of the public have made up their mind, they won’t buy your product,” he said.
Regarding transparency of environmental and labour practices, Kamales Lardi, chief executive of digital consulting firm Lardi & Partner, suggested blockchain technology to ensure real time tracing and verifiable data.
Information entered into a blockchain system would be permanent, and could not be edited or tampered with without leaving a record, unlike other database systems.
Detailed record-keeping using the technology would allow for accurate monitoring of land use and traceability of products throughout the supply chain, and also prevent the mismanagement of worker contracts and employee services.