SOPB management representatives and participants post for a group photo during the launch of the OPSP policy at Imperial Hotel in Miri on March 18.

MIRI: Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad (SOPB) has launched its new policy named ‘Oil Palms Sustainability Policy (OPSP)’ – a commitment that aim towards achieving a sustainable environment.

The policy which was launched at three different venues, namely Singapore (Feb 22), Miri (March 18) and Kuala Lumpur (April 16) highlights SOPB’s mission towards ‘No deforestation’, ‘No Peat’ and ‘No Exploitation’, that sought to socialise the need to have a sustainable supply chain backed by robust policies with the local palm oil players.

“Over the last five decades, SOPB had been on a remarkable journey that focuses on conservation, research and development, certification, water management, land management as well as many other aspects which truly defined SOPB’s character as a sustainable producer.

Indeed, the market is increasingly demanding for greater commitments on sustainability which has become a mainstream requirement for every business.

Thus, it is important to work towards that direction,” SOPB’s Head of Sustainability, Galau Melayong said in his keynote presentation.

The launch, he added, marked a new milestone for SOPB, in bringing its sustainability commitments in line with leading palm oil players.

‘SOPB firmly believes that sustainability in indispensable while it juggles the competing goals of planet, people and profit and more importantly, the participation and support from the stakeholders are equally crucial, thus, SOPB looks forward to closer collaborations with all of our stakeholders,’ he said.

The events were attended by 134 senior representatives from 71 major plantation companies, refiners, bankers, future brokers, buyers, suppliers, surveyors companies, alongside with SOPB’s senior management including Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Wong Hee Kwong and Chief Operating Officer Eric Kiu Kwong Seng.

At the launching events, stakeholders had the opportunity seeking further clarifications on SOPB’s current state of implementation and progress tracking towards Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil, International Sustainability and Carbon Certification and other certifications.

Source: The Borneo Post, 4th May 2019, Home, Page A1 ; https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-borneo-post/20190505/page/58