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PUTRAJAYA: The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry (KPPK) is ready to assist the Sabah government ensure oil palm plantations and mills comply with Movement Control Order (MCO) directives following the state government’s decision to allow them to operate throughout the MCO.Its minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said the ministry, through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and the Malaysian Estate Owners Association (MEOA) will ensure oil palm plantations and mills comply with all Covid-19 pandemic operation guidelines issued by the Sabah Health Department. “The ministry welcomes the Sabah government’s decision to give some leeway to allow conditional operations for oil palm plantations and mills in six districts, that is Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Semporna, Kunak and Kalabakan, throughout the MCO period.

“The conditional permission (to operate) and operational guidelines issued by the Sabah Health Department must be taken seriously so that oil palm plantations and mills can continue to operate,” he said in a statement here today. Mohd Khairuddin said the ministry will not compromise on violations committed by any oil palm plantation or mill. In KOTA KINABALU, oil palm groups have pledged to adhere to conditions set by the Sabah government after being allowed to resume business in six districts today.

In a joint statement, the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) and the Malaysian Estate Owners Association (MEOA) said its members will also continue to engage and support the diligent measures taken by the state to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Sabah.

Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said conditional approval would be granted to the companies in Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Semporna, Kunak and Kalabakan to resume operations during the movement control order (MCO), beginning today.

In thanking the government for the approval, the associations said they were grateful the authorities were able to appreciate the overall situation and permit the lifting of the shutdown.

“Relevant measures have now been put in place and will be adhered to in curbing the spread of Covid-19 in the palm oil supply chain.

“Over the last one week, both MPOA and MEOA have been diligently engaging with the relevant authorities in Sabah.

“We are also appreciative of the open networking and effective engagement with the local plantation association, namely the East Malaysian Planters Association (EMPA), leading towards the lifting of the shutdown,” they said.