Chia queries Sabah’s representation in MPOB

SABAH'S representation in the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) was raised by an opposition member during the State Legislative Assembly sitting, Tuesday, asking if the State Government would ask for an increase given that Sabah is the biggest palm oil producer in the country.

Luyang Assemblywoman Melanie Chia, of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), raised this in her supplementary question to Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan during question time.

Tan, in his response, said it is not the number of Sabahans in the MPOB that is important but whether it can contribute to the industrial development or not.

"I don't know how many officers in the MPOB but ther are those who are from Sabah. So what? What's important is that whether this agency can contribute to the industry or not.. .but it is easy for me to ask MPOB to give more Sabah representation in the agency, that is not a problem,” he said. 

Earlier, he accused Chia of having sensitive feelings towards Federal Government agencies, to which Chia responded that Tan was trying to politicise the matter.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman also stood up, telling Chia that there rs no reason for Sabah not to have control over MPOB because it is an agency under the plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry which is headed by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who is from Sabah.

Chia interjected that he (Dompok) might be changed in the next round. 

 

Tan was replying to questions from Chia, who asked how much contribution the State oil palm production has made and what is its Contribution to the State economy as well as on the number of locals employed in this industry.

Tan said the oil palm industry contributes significantly to the economic growth in Sabah and the palm oil production in the State represents 30 per cent of the country's total production.

The State palm oil export value was much higher at RM16.75 billion in the first nine months of last year, he said, adding that there are 124 palm oil mills, 11 palm oil refineries and 14 palm kernel crushers operating in Sabah, besides factories in the palm oil downstream industries.

He said the State Government would always continue to ensure the development strategies and programnes for this industry can be implemented smoothly and effectively, as this effort is expected to be able to increase the growth of the palm oil downstream industries in Sabah and thus bring more benefits to the rakyat and State economy.

"The oil palm based industry also has great potential to contribute towards the State renewable energy development where it is expected to create RM2 billion worth of investments and capable to generate up to 250 megawatts (MW) by the year 2020," he said.

Tan said although it cannot be denied that the majority of manpower in the oil palm industry in Sabah, especially in the plantation sector, are foreigners from neighbouring Indonesia but that the Government has continuously been encouraging more locals to be involved.

"The Government also encourages the private companies involved in this sector to employ our local people, especially management posts like plantation manager, assistant manager and supervisor," he said, adding this is the same in the downstream industries where a lot of jobs have been created in various categories.

He said to date 2,200 jobs have been created directly by the downstream industries in the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu.

Larry Ralon

Daily Express

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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