PUTRAJAYA, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- Statement by Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia, following a meeting with World Health Organisation (WHO) representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore on an article in the WHO Bulletin that likens the palm oil industry to the tobacco and alcohol lobbyists.
 
The Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia, and representatives from the palm oil industry along with several senior academicians admonish the article “The Palm Oil Industry and Non Communicable Diseases” published in the World Health Organisation (WHO) Bulletin, and demand its retraction.
 
We view the article as half-truths, unscholarly, flawed and utterly biased against palm oil, with suspected intention of demonising the palm oil industry.
 
We also take offence on the study’s conclusion drawing parallels between the palm oil industry and tobacco and alcohol lobbyists. This outrageous claim thus casts aspersions on the reputation of our scientists and researchers while ignoring findings on the nutritional value of palm oil published in numerous peer-reviewed science journals.
 
These views were conveyed to WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore Dr Lo Ying-Ru and its Programme Management and Technical Officer Dr Paul Soo, during a meeting on Wednesday with Minister of Primary Industries Malaysia Teresa Kok, Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Malaysian Oil Scientists and Technologists Association (MOSTA) and Malaysian Estate Owners Association (MEOA).
 
Present were MPOC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr. Kalyana Sundram, MOSTA President Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Augustine Ong, MOSTA council member Datuk Dr. Choo Yuen May and MOSTA International Scientific Advisory Panel members Emeritus Professor Dato' Dr V. G. Kumar Das and Emeritus Professor Dr. Khor Geok Lin, while from MEOA were President Jeffrey Ong, Vice-President Gan Tee Jin and committee members Marvath R. Chandran and Khoo Khee Ming.
 
“The ministry together with the groups are appalled by the WHO Bulletin editor’s decision to publish the article which claimed the palm oil industry is deploying tactics similar to alcohol and tobacco lobbyists to influence research into the health effects of its products.
 
“We note the explanation by Dr. Lo that the article was not a study nor a policy or dietary recommendation of WHO but was authored by others and published in the bulletin after it was reviewed by its editor,” said Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok.
 
WHO Malaysia expressed regret that the study was erroneously reported by REUTERS as being a WHO study, giving an impression to the public that the study reflected WHO’s official views and stand on palm oil.
 
WHO explained that the article in the WHO Bulletin was published with a disclaimer and clearly stated as being authored by Sowmaya Kadandale, Robert Marten and Richard Smith (the authors), and added “…there is no way that this journal article can be correctly described as a WHO study”.
 
“However, the damage has been done as the REUTERS erroneous interpretation has gained large traction and continues to be published in other sites, as well,” added Minister Teresa Kok.
 
While the WHO Bulletin has to date declined to retract the article, we view that it should preferably be retracted for its biased, flawed claims. We question why at all did it merit publication by WHO, a reputable international body on public health.
 
We hope WHO continues to advocate its policies and recommendations purely on unbiased science and does not allow a repeat of this type of incidence. Meanwhile, the MPOC will register its critique of the published study via a Letter to the Editor of the WHO Bulletin.
 
Minister Teresa Kok and the WHO representatives concluded that it would further be desirable to hold a joint technical seminar in the region to help correct many of the misinformation surrounding oils and fats especially palm oil.
 
MINISTRY OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES MALAYSIA
PUTRAJAYA
1 FEBRUARY 2019


SOURCE : Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI)
Tel : 03-8880 3322
Fax : 03-8887 8205
Email : pro@mpic.gov.my

--BERNAMA