KUALA LUMPUR: Operations involving the palm oil and rubber industries will resume as normal, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali.
He said this after a Cabinet meeting this morning and confirmation from the National Security Council.
“The Movement Control Order (MCO) which came into effect yesterday until March 31, will have a huge impact on the plantation and commodity sectors, especially palm oil and rubber smallholders.
“The ministry is aware how important contributions from these two industries are to the supply chain especially regards essentials like cooking oil and equipment such as gloves and catheters.
“Hence, the ministry will be giving some leeway to the two sectors,” he said in a statement today.
Khairuddin said the leeway includes; to allow the harvesting of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) by companies and smallholders; to allow the processing of FFB by oil palm factories; and to allow the processing of crude palm oil in refineries for the production of cooking oil for local markets.
“The leeway also allows rubber tapping activities to supply of raw materials for the manufacturing of medical equipment such as gloves and catheters and to allow activities in the timber sector to meet contracts.”
Khairuddin, however, called on all parties involved to take precautionary measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“These include minimising labour and their mobility by avoiding physical contact (social distancing) and for workers to return home immediately after work.
“Everyone is also reminded to take care of their hygiene by washing their hands with soap or sanitisers.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) in a statement welcomed the leeway, adding that it will adhere to all regulations and standard operation procedures as stipulated by the government.
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