'Orang Utan Diplomacy' to showcase country's care for biodiversity, says Johari

Source: The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia aims to introduce 'Orang Utan Diplomacy' to palm oil trading countries as a show of concern towards biodiversity conservation.

Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said it would portray the country as a sustainable oil palm producer and raise awareness of global partners.

"Many of the world's trading partners are increasingly concerned over the impact of agricultural commodities on the climate.

"Malaysia can prove to the global community that we always maintain a balance between meeting the needs of food security while protecting the environment.

"We intend to create 'Orang Utan Diplomacy' like China which has succeeded in creating various 'Panda Diplomacy' worldwide.

"It is a diplomatic strategy where it would be an advantage to trading partners and foreign relations, especially in major importing countries such as the European Union, India and China," he said on Wednesday (May 8).

Johari, who earlier officiated the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation Biodiversity Forum at the Resorts World Awana said by introducing 'Orang Utan Diplomacy', it proves to the world community that Malaysia is always committed to biodiversity conservation.

"Malaysia cannot take a defensive approach to the issue of palm oil, instead we need to show the countries worldwide that Malaysia is a sustainable oil palm producer and is committed to protecting forests and environmental sustainability.

"I welcome the large oil palm companies to collaborate with non-governmental organisations to care, preserve and raise awareness for our global partners while also providing technical expertise on iconic wildlife species in Malaysia.

"This will be a manifestation of how Malaysia conserves wildlife species and maintains the sustainability of our forests, especially in the oil palm plantation landscape," he said.