By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Sept 26: The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) will not hesitate to revoke licenses of unscrupulous oil palm ‘middlemen’ acting as brokers, buying oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) below market price.
In disclosing this, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Willie Mongin said that the ministry will not stand for exploitation and oppression of smallholders in the sector.
Willie said this to a group of local media in a press conference after launching the “Jom MSPO (Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil) Sarawak” programme held at Dewan Kampung Muhibbah, Ladang 3, Niah on Saturday.
He has expressed concern over issues of some middlemen buying FFB from smallholders below market price.
The FFB’s selling price is at RM545 per tonne.
“They must give us reasons for their act of buying FFB below the market price, or face stern action,” he said.
Willie was representing Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali who was not able to attend the programme.
At the programme, 15 small oil palm planters were presented with MSPO certificates.
The programme attracted 400 small oil palm planters nearby the area.
It was the second roadshow organised by MPOB in Sarawak this year after Puncak Borneo.
Also present at the programme which was hosted by the Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) were the chairman of Malaysian Palm Pil Certification Council (MPOCC), Muhtar Suhaili, Sibuti Member of Parliament (MP) Lukanisman Awang Sauni who is also Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia chairman and MPOB director Dr Ahmad Parvees Ghulam Kadir. — DayakDaily
