The British's decision to ban a Malaysian palm oil advertisement has drawn attention from Malaysian officials, local media reported here on Friday.
Malaysian Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Jacob Sagan was quoted as retorting the British government's reason to ban the advertisement.
He said that Malaysia federal and state authorities had put in great effort to protect the
environment and the natives' welfare.
He added that any move deterring the export of Malaysian palm oil would unavoidably affect the livelihoods of those working in the plantations.
It was reported that the advertisement placed by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board said that the palm oil industry was sustainable and contributed to poverty-eradication in Malaysia.
However, the British regulatory board viewed the content as misleading as it ruled that the
industry had infringed on the native's rights.
Malaysian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kohilan Pillay stressed that Malaysia had never
killed orangutans and Penan people for the oil palm tree plantation as alleged by certain quarters.
Native to Malaysia and Indonesia, the orangutans are two endangered species of great
apes and gorilla.
The Penan people are indigenous living in the state of Sarawak in East Malaysia.