KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 — Felcra Bhd and the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) are not directly affected by the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Speaking as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, he said the regulations do not affect palm oil and rubber crops under Felcra and Risda as their harvests are only sold domestically.
“Nevertheless, we need to take care of the international requirements related to this restriction and have implemented traceability to mill and traceability to plantation programmes to ensure palm oil sources come from plantations with a Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification,” he said when wrapping up the debate on the Supply Bill 2024 for the second reading in Parliament today.
The EUDR aims to guarantee that the products European Union citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide.
Meanwhile, Zahid said the proposal to create a special entity, or Perbadanan Kemajuan Utara Kelantan (Utara), to accommodate the growing economic ecosystem in Kota Bharu and the surrounding areas will greatly benefit the residents of North Kelantan.
“For this initial step, I will ask the Lembaga Kemajuan Kelantan Selatan (Kesedar) to expand it in the north first.
“This smart idea (to create a special entity) should be implemented soonest,” he said.
However, the proposal has not seen the light of day yet, as it was made after the Budget 2024 announcement.
“InsyaAllah, I will discuss this with the Prime Minister to look into the matter,” Zahid said.
— Bernama
