KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC) supports Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal's call for plantations to be involved in elephant conservation.
MPOCC, as the custodian of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) scheme in the country, views this as an opportunity for greater collaborative partnership with the Sabah State government in creating a safer environment for its wildlife.
In a statement today MPOCC chief executive officer Chew Jit Seng said this is in line with MSPO Principle No.5 that emphasises protecting rare, threatened and endangered wildlife species in high biodiversity areas.
Chew said MPOCC pledges closer cooperation with Sabah Wildlife Department and plantations managers in Sabah.
"We believe that where human-wildlife conflict hotspots are present, these plantations can play a more active role in being vigilant and be the eyes and ears on the ground," he said.
MPOCC, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and East Malaysia Planters Association (EMPA) have been actively conducting roadshows to raise awareness on the mandatory MSPO certification scheme and the need to support the wildlife protection and conservation efforts in Sabah.
Chew reiterated loss of biodiversity concerns everyone and the environmental damage that ensues could be irreversible.
"As Malaysians, we must lay a stronger foundation to strengthen our conviction that our valued wildlife species need to be conserved to truly reflect our commitment towards the universal 5Ps of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership," he said.