Lang
Malaysia's palm oil industry has allocated approximately RM200,000 to support the conservation and protection of orangutan habitats, according to Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
Speaking at the launch of World Orangutan Day 2026 in Putrajaya, Noraini said the funding has been channelled through the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF), underscoring the sector's effort to translate environmental commitments into tangible action on the ground.
'Through MPOGCF, the palm oil industry has contributed nearly RM200,000. The contribution shows that commitment to conservation can be translated into tangible action on the ground,' she said in her speech.
The funds support several on-the-ground initiatives, most notably the installation of orangutan bridges designed to reconnect fragmented forest habitats, as well as the provision of a patrol boat to assist rangers in monitoring and enforcement activities.
In conjunction with the launch, a conservation-themed run drew 1,500 participants, the highest turnout since MPOGCF first began organising the event. Noraini noted that all entry fees will be channelled in full to the MPOGCF Conservation Fund to back the Orangutan Diplomacy Programme (OUDip).
The programme is currently being implemented at the Sungai Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA), located within the Sawit Kinabalu Group's plantation concession in Kinabatangan, Sabah. Sawit Kinabalu has set aside approximately 2,632 hectares at Sungai Pin Estate as a High Conservation Value area, estimated to provide habitat for around 55 orangutans.
Speaking to reporters separately, Noraini said future conservation efforts should not be confined to a single site but expanded wherever additional areas of concern are identified.
'The focus is indeed on Sabah, but naturally there may be other places. We will ensure that the coverage is wider, rather than focusing on just one location,' she said.
She also expressed hope that additional allocations could be considered under the upcoming national Budget to strengthen conservation work, while encouraging funding contributions from the private sector and the public.
Source: The Sun Daily