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Malaysia Defends Palm Oil Industry's Role in Orangutan Conservation
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
Malaysia remains committed to striking a balance between environmental protection and sustainable development, particularly in the conservation of orangutans and the management of its palm oil industry.
Plantation and Commodities Ministry secretary-general Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof said that, globally, orangutans were often used as symbols in environmental campaigns by groups seeking to portray the palm oil industry as the main driver of deforestation.
"In reality, Malaysia has long implemented various sustainable policies and standards, such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification, which mandates the protection of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, regulates forest clearing, and promotes the restoration of wildlife corridors.
"We do not dismiss concerns about the fate of orangutans, but this biased narrative must be corrected," he said.
Yusran Shah, who is also Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) Board of Trustees chairman said this in his speech during the World Orangutan Day celebration at Zoo Taiping and Night Safari today.
He added that statistics showed more than 50 per cent of orangutan habitats in Sabah and Sarawak were now located within protected areas, with a significant portion of conservation funding coming directly from the palm oil industry itself through initiatives such as MPOGCF, Sawit Kinabalu, and other local companies.
"The celebration of World Orangutan Day is not merely symbolic, but a reaffirmation of Malaysia's commitment to maintaining a balance between economic progress and biodiversity conservation.
"The orangutan should not be used as a tool to attack the palm oil industry; rather, it serves as evidence that a sustainable palm oil sector can be a strategic partner in environmental protection," he said.
Yusran Shah said MPOGCF, as a trust entity under the ministry, played a vital role in aligning the palm oil sector with conservation goals.
"This approach not only protects the image of Malaysian palm oil but also demonstrates that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability can advance together.
"I would also like to commend Zoo Taiping and Night Safari for their success in integrating education, tourism, and conservation. This collaboration should serve as an example for other agencies and organisations in promoting empathy and appreciation for wildlife," he added.
Source: www.nst.com.my
