PUTRAJAYA (Jan 17): The Primary Industries Ministry said today it will utilise all available channels to urge the World Health Organisation (WHO) to retract or rectify its report that drew a parallel between lobbying tactics used by the palm oil industry and those in the alcohol and tobacco sectors.

According to news reports, WHO had in a study published last week claimed that the tactics were used to influence public and political discussion on health and environmental effects of palm oil products.

WHO was quoted as saying: "These tactics — establishing lobbying structures in political and economic hubs, fighting regulations, attempting to undermine reliable sources of information and using poverty alleviation arguments — are similar to those pursued by the tobacco and alcohol industries."

Today, Deputy Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said the ministry is "very disturbed" by WHO's claims in the study.

"The claims were untrue and did not take into account other established studies on palm oil. I do feel that WHO, as an international body, should have shown more professionalism and inclusivity by taking into account other studies done, which have proven palm oil as a healthy oil for consumption.

"We will utilise all available channels to urge WHO to either retract or rectify the report," Shamsul Iskandar told reporters on the sidelines of the Palm Oil Economic Outlook and Review Seminar here today.

On Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's letter to France to explain Malaysia's position on France's decision to declassify palm oil as biodiesel feedstock, Shamsul Iskandar said he believes Malaysia's message is now clearly conveyed that the world's second largest palm oil producer will firmly fight against the biased perception surrounding the commodity.

Shamsul Iskandar said: "Having said that, we are not contesting it without parameters. We have provided explanations to consumers and are planning trade missions to markets with huge potential."

"We will be meeting with industry players, besides ministers, in Pakistan to lock (in) their purchase of our palm products," he said. Shamsul Iskandar said Turkey will be next in the pipeline.