TANJUNG MALIM (Jan 17): The Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Nazrin Shah, today launched United Plantation’s (UP) high-tech palm oil processing plant, the Unifuji Refinery and Optimil Complex, at Ulu Bernam  near here.

Also present at the launch were his consort, Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, his wife Datin Seri Nomee Ashikin Mohammed Radzi and UP chief executive officer Datuk Carl Bek-Nielsen.

The decision to build the new palm oil mill called “Optimil” was made in 2015 by the board of UP.

Bek-Nielsen said the goal of the project has been to construct a plant that would surpass the strictest food safety, sustainability and hygiene standards in the world, and combined with an energy matrix running completely without the use of fossil fuels.

“Over the last 15 years the palm oil industry had been subjected to a negative media campaign. This has often been painful and at times one sided, especially in this age of fake news,” he said during the launch today.

Bek-Nielsen said the palm oil industry must rise to this challenge and show leadership in accepting change and doing what is necessary.

“We in UP will do our best in continuing to play our part in sharing these sustainable practices and also more importantly, to live up to the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” he added.