Jakarta: Malaysia and Indonesia will enhance efforts to counter the negative European campaign towards the palm oil industry.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the two major producers of the commodity, Malaysia and Indonesia should work together to counter against the European campaign which is putting the industry in a bad light.
"Palm oil exports are now being threatened by Europe and we need to stand together to counter their narrative that many forests are cut down and will have a big impact on the weather and environment," he said in a joint press conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Bogor Presidential Palace here.
Dr Mahathir was earlier given a state welcome at the Presidential Palace in conjunction with his two-day official visit to Indonesia.
Dr Mahathir said, Europe's opposition towards the palm oil industry was more of an economic problem among themselves rather than an environmental issue.
He said that the real picture in Europe was that there are not many areas which are covered with forest because it has been logged.
"When we need a larger area to plant palm oil, they oppose it, " said Dr Mahathir.
In the meantime, Jokowi has asked the Malaysian government to consider Indonesia's request to provide schools for its workers in the Peninsula, including Sabah and Sarawak.
He also touched on the need for closer cooperation to tackle on issues with regards to borders, workforce and joint car production.
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