We may halt some EU imports over palm oil row, says Dr M

Malaysia may halt some imports from the EU if the latter phases out palm oil-based biodiesel.

"We think we will stop buying some European products. That is one thing we can do," Mahathir told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

He said this when asked to elaborate his remarks yesterday that Malaysia may take retaliatory action if the EU continued to discriminate against palm oil.

The EU plans to table a Delegated Act next month to phase out palm oil-based biodiesel.

This, it claimed, was because palm oil production led to massive deforestation.

Wisma Putra said the Delegated Act was a "calculated political" manoeuvre aimed at removing Malaysian palm oil exports from the EU market.

Malaysia maintains its oil palm plantation practices are sustainable.

Amid this tussle with the EU, native communities who live near the Mulu National Park in Sarawak are protesting against deforestation (above) near the Unesco World Heritage Site.

It has been reported that a total of 4,400 hectares of rainforests are being cleared to make way for an oil palm plantation near the Mulu Park.

Putrajaya has said this was a state matter and the matter has yet to be resolved. - Mkini