“We have agreed to increase cooperation in all areas, considering that we are also the largest producers of palm oil (globally),” the president remarked during a joint press statement with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (Jan 27).
Prabowo underscored the significance of palm oil as a crucial commodity, which is in high demand from countries such as Egypt, India, and Pakistan.
Hence, he expressed gratitude for Malaysia's support of Indonesia, as a fellow palm oil producer, in countering negative campaigns and discrimination against palm oil at the global level.
"I think we can do a lot of good (things), and thank you for the continued support from Malaysia on this issue,” Prabowo concluded.
Related news: Indonesia, Malaysia see EUDR as detrimental to exports
Recently, Indonesia and Malaysia won a lawsuit against the European Union (EU) regarding palm oil-based biofuel at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The WTO ruled that the EU has discriminated against Indonesian palm oil-based biofuel, giving it unfair and detrimental treatment, in setting biofuel regulations.
Indonesia brought the case to the WTO dispute body in 2019 after the EU decided to exclude palm oil from its biofuel classification due to its link to deforestation, with plans to phase out its use in transport fuels between 2023 and 2030.
Subsequently, the WTO panel issued a report stating that certain elements of the EU's policy were inconsistent with the WTO rules.
“Now the world has no choice but to accept that biodiesel does not only come from rapeseed or soybean but there is biodiesel that is based on crude palm oil,” Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated following the WTO ruling.
Related news: Indonesia, Malaysia continue efforts to address EU deforestation rule
Translator: Mentari Dwi Gayati, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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