Dr Mahathir defends palm oil in UN address

Published on 28 Sep 2019 1:00:56 PM

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has highlighted Malaysia's objection over attempts to ban the import of palm oil at the United Nations (UN), saying it is a classic case of the denial of free trade.

He also reckoned that due to inability to sustain the competitiveness of their own edible oils, a campaign was mounted to ban palm oil, with claims that palm oil is poisonous to health, destroy the habitat of long-nosed monkeys, reduce carbon dioxide absorption and so on.

Speaking at the General Debate of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly here Friday (Sept 27), Dr Mahathir made his case against such move, stating that palm oil was still a big contributor to the country's economy.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/09/28/dr-mahathir-defends-palm-oil-in-un-address