IN MEMORIAM YBHG DATUK DR SUNDARAN ANNAMALAI
SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE
MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES; AND
YB DATO’ AR. WAN MOHAMMAD KHAIRI-IL ANUAR WAN AHMAD, CHAIRMAN OF THE MALAYSIAN PALM OIL BOARD (MPOB) AND
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT KUALA KANGSAR
The Embassy of Malaysia in Paris wishes to honour the memory of YBhg. Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (KSU MPIC); and YB Dato’ Ar. Wan Mohammad Khairi-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Member of Parliament Kuala Kangsar (Chairman MPOB). They were among the six listed passengers on board in the chopper crash on 5 May 2016. Knowing their work left an indelible mark on so many lives has made it difficult for us to reconcile with the continued reality of a changed and unfamiliar territory where KSU MPIC and Chairman MPOB will no longer be lending their voices to promote the positive aspects of our palm oil industry, among others. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims who remember the mensches’ passionate, warm, and vibrant spirit.
The Embassy of Malaysia in Paris had the opportunity to be involved in their important work when KSU MPIC and Chairman MPOB were in Paris for a four-day Palm Oil Mission programme from 24 to 27 April 2016.
The objective of the Palm Oil Mission was to discuss with French Parliamentarians and authorities on the French palm oil tax issue. This tax was initially proposed by the French Senate on 21 January 2016 as part of the Biodiversity Bill. It was later passed by the French National Assembly on 18 March 2016.
As it stands, there are attempts to introduce the new tax gradually, starting at €30 in 2017 and rising by €20 per year to €90 in 2020. The new tax, though it has been cancelled by the sustainability commission of the senate on 5 May 2016, will still need to be discussed in the plenary session at the Senate due to an amendment that has been deposited to reintroduce the tax. These additional taxes on palm oil should it be implemented would have implications on Malaysian palm oil producers, small farmers and others in the supply chain.
--- The Palm Oil Mission, 24-27 April 2016 ---
On the arrival of the delegation in Paris, H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Ibrahim Abdullah hosted a hi-tea at the Embassy followed by a meeting and presentation by the European Palm Oil Alliance (EPOA) and the French Alliance for Sustainable Palm Oil.
During the visit, the Malaysian delegation accompanied by H.E. Dato’ Ibrahim Abdullah, Ambassador of Malaysia to France, met with Mr. Christophe Bouillon, Deputy and Vice-President of the Commission for Sustainable Development and Territorial Planning at the National Assembly; Senator Jérôme Bignon, Rapporteur of the Committee for Planning and Sustainable Development in the French Senate; Madam Geneviève Gaillard, MP and Rapporteur on the Biodiversity Bill at the National Assembly; Madam Bariza Khiari, President-Delegate for Malaysia, South-East Asia Friendship Group at the Senate and Madam Geneviève Salsat, Advisor to MP Lionnel Luca at the National Assembly.
The Malaysian delegation also met with Mr. Christian Masset, Secretary-General of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Patrice de Laurens, Head of the French delegation of the Malaysia-France Joint Task force on Palm Oil, Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood Industry and Forestry; Mr. Jean-Patrick Le Duc, Chief of Staff for Madam Barbara Pompili, Minister of State in-charge of Biodiversity as well as Mr. Cyrille Pierre, Chief of Staff and Madam Louis Quesnel, Advisor for Asia, both from the Office of Mr. Matthias Fekl, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
Despite the short visit, the Malaysian delegation was able to meet with members of the French Alliance for Sustainable Palm Oil over lunch. The delegation also took the opportunity to meet with the President and General Manager of CIRAD, the French agricultural research and international cooperation organization working for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions.
The delegation left Paris for Brussels on Wednesday, 27 April 2016. Recognizing they have placed us on solid footing to move ahead, the contributions of KSU MPIC and Chairman MPOB will be remembered as an integral part of our efforts to champion the truth on the palm oil industry in Malaysia.
Embassy of Malaysia, Paris
9 May 2016