InfoSAWIT, KUALA LUMPUR – Chairman of Ombudsman Indonesian Republic, Mokhammad Najih discussed with the President of Persatuan Kebangsaan Pekebun-pekebun Kecil Malaysia (PKPKM), Adzmi Bin Hassan about palm oil industrial governance in the office of PKPKM, Thursday (19/9/2024). It was about the significant roles of PKPKM to support the smallholders’ welfare in the country and some advocacy programs that were successfully implemented.

Najih did appreciate PKPKM for its big roles to help the smallholders. One successful thing that should be imitated is that the increasing advocacy about insentif pengeluaran getah (IPG). “This should be the good sample to be implemented in Indonesia,” Najih as InfoSAWIT quoted from the official page of Ombudsman, Thursday (26/9/2024).

Prior, the team of Ombudsman did field visit to the Village of Pachitan, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan on Wednesday (18/9/2024). From the visit, Najih emphasized that PKPKM played its role as the connector among the smallholders, MPOB (Malaysian Palm Oil Board), the government and the monarchy namely to solve some issues, such as, the price, and pests (monkey that disturbed palm oil plantations).

In Malaysia, the smallholders are defined as the plantation owners within about 2,5 to 40 hectares. Those who have more than 40 hectares are categorized as companies.

Adzmi Bin Hassan emphasized that the smallholders should compete in the global scale – economy. “Their production should be the same with the market price globally. We have to confirm that they should not be left behind,” Adzmi said.

Fresh fruit bunch that the smallholders produced in Malaysia should refer to the market price that MPOB decided every week. He continued the price would cover the seeds that MPOB managed. Palm oil SES fund was taken from every ton of palm oil mill production to support sustainable industries.

Besides, PKPKM also played its role to unite the smallholders, delivered information about the helps from the government, develop unions, get strategic cooperation and deliver training for the labors. PKPKM also functions as the advocacy institute, gets complaints from the smallholders about the price and pests, and would be informed to Malaysia Public Complaint Bureau.

In the replanting program, Adzmi also said that the smallholders that got MSPO (Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil) certificate, would get their rights to get certified seeds from the institution. Until now, 96% of the smallholders in the country got MSPO certificate and the rests would accomplish their area issue that MPOB and local governments would deal with. (T2)