SIBU: Malaysia’s oil palm industry continues to grapple with persistent structural challenges, particularly in Sarawak, where labour shortages, external criticism, and rising sustainability requirements are placing increasing pressure on growers.
Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) chairman Datuk Joseph Blandoi said these issues have affected field operations and harvesting productivity, while negative perceptions from international stakeholders continue to undermine the industry despite ongoing improvements.
“These challenges require the industry to be more proactive, knowledgeable, and united in demonstrating that Malaysian palm oil is not only sustainable but also responsibly produced,” he said at the opening of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) HCV (High Conservation Value) Endorsed Internal Assessor Training held at a prominent hotel here recently.
Joseph was represented by SOPPOA chief executive officer Dr Felix Moh, who delivered the former’s speech.
Saying the introduction of MSPO represented an important milestone for the Malaysian palm oil industry, Joseph stressed that it provided a national certification framework that aligned the practices with international sustainability standards, focusing on traceability, environmental protection, and social responsibility.
Building upon that foundation, MSPO 2.0 was introduced to further enhance the system, incorporating new and critical elements such as HCV assessment, climate change considerations, and stronger compliance mechanisms.
These enhancements, he said, are not only about meeting certification requirements — they are important to ensure the long-term resilience and market confidence of Malaysian palm oil.
For plantation operators, he said MSPO compliance is now a business necessity as it ensures that operations remain legally compliant, environmentally responsible, and socially acceptable — all while maintaining access to key export markets.
More importantly, he said the MSPO framework promotes good governance, enhances operational efficiency, and fosters a sustainability culture within organisations.
SOPPOA, he said, remains deeply committed to supporting the members in meeting these evolving standards.
On the MSPO HCV Endorsed Internal Assessor Training, said it is significant as it is the first of its kind nationwide, being held here in Sarawak, exclusively for SOPPOA member companies.
He was pleased that the strong response from SOPPOA members clearly demonstrates the industry’s readiness and enthusiasm to strengthen internal capacity for HCV assessment.
