The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities has denied allegations that its agency Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has discriminated against oil palm smallholders in Sarawak.

KUCHING: The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities has denied allegations that its agency Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has discriminated against oil palm smallholders in Sarawak.

Responding to protests by smallholders on Thursday, a ministry spokesperson said MPOB’s tasks include to assist and facilitate smallholder participation and development in the oil palm industry.

“These include providing grants and assistance in the planting of oil palm, as well as outreach activities to enhance smallholders productivity through the placement of Tunjuk Ajar dan Nasihat Sawit (Tunas) officers, where currently 40 officers are stationed in Sarawak including Kota Samarahan.

“In addition, the oil palm industry has contributed significantly towards raising the income levels of the rural smallholders,” said the spokesperson in a statement emailed to the media yesterday.

On the need for licensing, the spokesperson explained that since palm oil is a food crop, MPOB needs to ensure its traceability through the licensing system.

The licensing system currently in place also ensures that Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) harvested are from legally licensed areas, he added.

“In this context, in the case of Sarawak from 2013 until July 2014, there have been 304 police reports on the alleged theft of FFB.

“To address the issue of increasing cases of FFB theft, MPOB has strengthened enforcement and also requested cooperation from the estates to strengthen security.

“Based on MPOB enforcement activities, it has found there were 12 cases of unsubstantiated supply of FFB to the mills and dealers in Sarawak. As such MPOB has requested these millers and dealers to provide evidence of their supply,” said the spokesperson.

On Thursday, over 100 protesters mainly from Kampung Lebor protested in front of the MPOB Kota Samarahan office in Serian demanding to know why their licence belonging to the village’s Koperasi Lebor Baru Serian Bhd had been suspended.

On the suspension of the licence, the ministry spokesperson confirmed a show-cause letter was issued to co-operative head Jengga Jeli, but clarified that it was based on evidence collected by MPOB where the quantity of FFB sold exceeded the productivity of the planted area.

“In addition, there was a complaint by TH Pelita Gedong on the theft of FFB.

“MPOB as regulator of the industry needs to ensure compliance to regulations and based on MPOB Act 582, needs to investigate any irregularities based on complaints lodged.

“As such, the show-cause letter issued to Encik Jengga Anak J li is to request additional information regarding allegation of theft of 6,930 tonnes of FFB on 16 July, 2014, which was stolen from Ladang TH Pelita Gedong and sold to Tetangga Akrab Palm Oil Mill Sdn Bhd,” the spokesperson explained.

Jengga had argued that the courts had decided the land belonged to them and there was no reason for MPOB to accuse them of stealing FFB from their own land.

In 2012, the High Court had ruled that the native customary rights (NCR) land belonged to Kampung Lebor villagers and that the company was trespassing. The Court of Appeal later affirmed the High Court’s decision.

The villagers claim to have the right to harvest the around 300ha plantation following a consent order entered in court between the native land owners and the company.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/24/ministry-denies-victimising-oil-palm-smallholders/#ixzz3BUQ48HyM