PLANTATION Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin is wrong to deny the existence of forced labour in the plantation industry in Malaysia, said P. Ramasamy.

The Penang deputy chief minister II said this is not the correct step to take to resolve forced labour claims by the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection and the European Union (EU) by June.

“Forced labour is an integral aspect of the plantation production system, which is based on subservient labour force. Is it a wonder why plantations invariably depend on cheap and malleable foreign labour?”

He also questioned whether Zuraida can convince the US and EU of the absence of forced labour in the plantations in the country.

“Maybe she could convince the US and EU to allow the import of Malaysian products until steps are taken to reduce or eliminate forced labour.

“I do not think that there is a necessity for her to take an aggressive posture in defending the Malaysian companies against forced labour allegations.

“Zuraida may be an enthusiastic minister, but she must be aware of the facts surrounding the phenomenon.”

Zuraida yesterday said her ministry has requested to meet the US Customs and Border Protection this month, but has yet to get any response.

Meeting EU representatives will involve trial sessions and a hearing from May 8 to 18, she added.

“The meetings with the US and EU are to answer their allegations, as well as provide explanations on the interpretation of their terms that may be different than ours.

“When there are engagements, we can provide explanations… that the terms are different and this can reduce the baseless allegations.”

US and EU authorities have barred the import of Malaysian palm oil over forced labour claims in recent years.

Ramasamy is also engaged in a war of words with Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan on the forced labour issue, with both agreeing to debate on the issue.

However, no date has yet been set for the debate. – April 27, 2022.