MP SPEAKS | I am highly concerned to read the statement of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin that she planned to consolidate three palm oil agencies, namely the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC), under one roof.

This is akin to taking a steep step back in time to almost three decades ago when the current structure and functions of the palm industry agencies were first redefined after extensive consultation with the industry.

The Minister herself has got to come to terms with the unique functions and characteristics of each of these agencies before embarking on such an exercise that may yet prove futile.

The underlying cause may be the apparent functional overlap