MP SPEAKS | I wish to congratulate my former cabinet colleague Zuraida Kamaruddin on her recent appointment as plantation industries and commodities minister (MPIC), which was my former portfolio.

Under the MPIC, among the various commodities, palm oil was and is still the most challenging sector. The palm oil industry has shown significant resilience even in the face of the current Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, palm oil alone brought in RM73.3 billion export revenue to the country. It is currently trading at an all-time high. It has contributed significantly to the national economy.

However, this industry is now facing serious headwinds from various anti-palm oil lobbies and NGOs. This will require...