THE Ministry of Plantation and Commodities will look at research and development (R&D) and marketing Malaysia’s products internationally in the re-tabling of Budget 2023 on February 24, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said.

According to Fadillah, who also serves as plantations and commodities minister, the country depends heavily on imports but it is necessary to ensure that Malaysia’s product acceptance can be maintained on the global stage.

“Therefore, we need engagement and to appoint foreign experts, making sure our products are accepted on the global front.

“The government will also look into the importance of community farming among smallholders and new products, such as cannabis, as a commodity,” he said yesterday.

Fadillah also said the government is introducing standards closer to international benchmarks in order to fulfil all sustainability commitments.

“Nationwide, we are committed to not opening new plantations, which means that there will be no deforestation, but what will happen is the migration from coconut to oil palm plantation, that is (involving) smallholders.

“What may be challenging is how these smallholders can meet the standards that have been set.

“Malaysia has introduced the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil certification scheme at international level and there is also the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, so that we will be able to market our products internationally,” he said.

Fadillah said Malaysia will discuss this with Indonesia next week. – Bernama, February 2, 2023.