By Stephen Then, The Star
The British Government’s ban on a Malaysian palm oil advertisement because of native land disputes and alleged victimisation of the Penans in Sarawak by logging and palm oil giants “is unfair”.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Jacob Sagan said the federal and state authorities had put in great effort to not only protect the environment, but also the natives’ welfare.
“Any move jeopardising the export of Malaysian palm oil will inevitably affect the livelihoods of those working in the plantations,” he said.
“It is not fair to link a business issue with a native rights issue because they can be dealt with separately.
“The palm oil industry in Malaysia helps to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of people, especially smallholders living in rural areas,” he added.
According to Survival International, the UK Advertising Standards Agency banned the advertisement placed by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council in a British business magazine because the advertisement said Malaysian palm oil was sustainable and contributed to poverty-eradication and the development of rural people.
The London-based group deals with issues involving the rights of indigenous communities across the globe.
“The UK advertisement regulator ruled that the advertisement was misleading as the palm oil industry had infringed on the rights of the natives and their land,” said the group’s director Stephen Corry in an e-mail.
“The regulator ruled that Malaysia’s claim that palm oil is green and people-friendly is not credible because the industry’s expansion into the rural areas had caused disaster to the people’s lives,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sagan said the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry was in a better position to try to lift the ban by explaining the true situation in the country.
written by DreamLady, November 06, 2009 10:12:06
written by Badaksumbu, November 06, 2009 10:12:14
written by asguard, November 06, 2009 10:12:54
written by msiaman, November 06, 2009 10:23:53
Serves you right! But ask yourselves, are you really doing everything proper?
written by cheemengwong, November 06, 2009 10:25:21
written by sydput, November 06, 2009 10:26:13
written by fireduck, November 06, 2009 10:27:36
Point is, it is all interlinked. No such thing as business issue, native issue. The people cannot convince you to be less greedy, more considerate, then their only choice is to fight back in ways that will convince you to be more humane. Think about it. How difficult it is to look after the rakyat? Are are we all rushing to our doomsday by coddling up to all those greedy pigs of big businesses?
And haven't Mahathir encouraged us to Buy British Last, at one point in time? As a deputy minister, you sure sound like one pitiful bugger, Jacob.
written by Iliyas, November 06, 2009 10:31:05
One of the most credible and prominent bloggers in Sabah has been revealing all these in his blog.Perhaps if HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT need further info,login http://advocateviews.********.com
written by Horizonline, November 06, 2009 11:06:22
federal and state authorities had put in great effort to not only protect the environment, but also the natives’ welfare.
seriously, mister jacob, fcuk u.
written by malgal, November 06, 2009 11:07:28
written by KangrooCourt, November 06, 2009 11:23:08
written by KingSolomon, November 06, 2009 12:22:21
written by budakindia, November 06, 2009 12:33:49
Are we really independent? You can judge by yourself after reading this! Malaysia is still a British colonial by all means! The mentality hasn't changed a bit!
written by Oscar Winner, November 06, 2009 13:36:45
written by batsman, November 06, 2009 15:19:08
written by Kathy, November 06, 2009 16:57:23
Mr Sagan, how are you going to explain the "true situation"? It is a well-known fact that the palm oil industry in Sarawak is not regulated. There is no transparency in how land is bought or given to investors. There is no transparency in how the dwellers or owners of the land are compensated and resettled. Do you really think the British government are as stupid as the rest of your colleagues?
written by KARMANNGHIA, November 06, 2009 19:23:54
Seriously speaking, the oil palm industry does not really improve our livelihood, as it is those large plantations that deforest and enroach into native lands and human rights, and secondly, as most of the plantation workers are illegal filipinos n indons.
Dep minister jacob, who are you trying to kid?
