COUNTRIES that threaten to boycott oil palm-based products from Malaysia may face retaliation, Prime Minister Najib Razak said in response to the recent resolution by the European Parliament for the EU to discontinue the use of vegetable oils in biodiesel by 2020.

Speaking in Ijok, Kuala Selangor, at the celebration of 100 years of oil palm industry, Najib said Malaysia and Indonesia had agreed to send representatives through Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) to meet the EU to dismiss negative claims about oil palm industry.

“We have to tell them that Malaysia and Indonesia have our own capabilities, we also buy a lot of products from their countries.

“And whoever boycotts oil palm products may face retaliation from Malaysia and Indonesia,” Najib said.

The resolution also includes palm oil and it might affect the exports of palm oil to Europe and other countries.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mah Siew Keong later said the discussion between Najib and Indonesia president Joko Widodo took place at the recent Asean summit.

“It’s important to discuss with European Union to solve the matter.

“The main criticism is we are accused of destroying the forest, environment and killing orangutan, which is not true because Malaysia has very strict standards,” he said, adding that European countries were the major importers of Malaysia’s oil palm products.

He said the delegates would need to discuss with European Union and provide accurate information on the matter.

Najib earlier announced additional allocations of RM510 million for the New Palm Planting and Palm Replanting for Small Farmers scheme. – May 18, 2017.