KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): Genting Plantations Bhd has joined other oil palm plantation companies and associations in their appeal for the resumption of critical oil palm operations in Sabah.

Genting Plantations said today it shares the views and concerns raised by the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA), the Malaysian Estate Owners’ Association (MEOA) and other industry players that the closure of critical oil palm estate and milling operations in line with Malaysia’s Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the the COVID-19 pandemic, may jeopardise an essential service for the food industry.

"In addition, we firmly believe that the oil palm industry can better support containment initiatives by continuing operations as the nature of its estate and milling operations enables the enforcement of strict social distancing guidelines.

"We have worked closely with MPOA and the relevant authorities to implement all the guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the MCO in all our oil palm estates and mills.

"We have also introduced further precautionary measures such as provision of food supplies to all our workers so that their daily needs are provided for and they stay within the boundaries of our oil palm estate and milling operations.

"This is to ensure that, like other responsible fellow industry players, our operations are conducted in a safe, conducive and regulated environment to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all personnel involved.

"So far, we have not encountered any incidences of COVID-19 in any of our other numerous oil palm estate and milling operations in peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. Nevertheless, we continue to be vigilant and resolute in strictly maintaining the established guidelines, SOPs at all our operations, and will remain proactive in implementing any further measures as may be required in our fight to quell the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Therefore, we hope that the State Government will consider MPOA’s appeal favourably and allow the oil palm industry to resume its critical estate and milling operations in Sabah,” Genting Plantations said.

It was earlier reported that Wilmar International Ltd and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) have chimed in with their pleas to the Sabah Government, asking the State to reconsider the closure of oil palm operations in six districts, saying the move has potential adverse socio-economic ramifications.

It was reported that Wilmar and KLK have joined FGV Holdings Bhd and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd in adding their voice to appeals made by the MPOA and MEOA to the Sabah Government, following Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s announcement that oil palm operations in Kalabakan, Semporna, Kunak, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Kinabatangan will be halted until April 14 to control the spread of COVID-19.

Today, Genting Plantations said it appreciates the Sabah State Government’s resolve and effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak as the pandemic is a global health and societal emergency of unprecedented scale in recent history.

"Effective and immediate action by Governments, individuals and businesses are understandably required for the protection of the public at large.

"Therefore, we fully appreciate the State Government’s resolve and efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Sabah including inter alia the closure of oil palm operations in six districts until April 14 2020. The MCO will undoubtedly bring about a positive and significant impact in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic in general,” Genting Plantations said.

Malaysia’s MCO, which was initially scheduled between March 18 and 31, requires non-essential businesses to stop operations while the public has been ordered to stay at home to curb the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 25, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Government decided to extend the MCO until April 14 because updates from the National Security Council and Health Ministry indicated an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Related story:
Operational restrictions at Sabah palm oil estates will lead to worker exodus, says MEOA

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