Palm Oil, A boom or a bust? (ii)

As my Global Perspective project, I have researched on the deforestation of palm trees. This is happening because palm oil is becoming a valuable commodity in the globe now. Palm oil is now used in many industries such as soaps, preserved food and the breakthrough technology of biodiesel. Heavy investments by countries such as India and China fueled the boom in palm oil plantations across the country and many forests have been deforested and there has been countless debates on preserving the forests and it’s species while others say that it will fuel the government’s dream of Malaysia achieving the status of wealthy and developed countries like Japan and America. In my opinion, I stand in the middle of the two sides. Deforesting can go on, but it must be done at a controlled rate.

In my view deforesting can go on because this can fuel the government dream of achieving a well-developed country in 2020. Plus, the country will also be advanced in various sectors of business that again fuels the dream of wawasan 2020. Also, the investment of countries into Malaysia for palm oil will also further the development of various sectors in Malaysia.  But not everything is perfect, when trees and forests are cut down, Malaysia would lose a wide range of diverse species. This is also my second point of view, Malaysia can chop down some parts of the forest and replanting some other parts will satisfy both parties in the debate. Forest reserves and wildlife parks should also be considered to ensure both parties in the debate are satisfied.

In the Malaysian government’s point of view it’s a completely different story. As Malaysia is the the world’s main producer of palm oil, producing a whopping 80% of the palm oil trade, the government seems to have no plans of stopping the trade an with good reason. As 2020 closes in at 9 years to go, the government is well on it’s way to achieving it dream for the 70 million population boom and the dream of every citizen of getting a reputable job and palm oil is the key to achieving the dream. With heavy investments in place and factories producing palm oil products mushrooming throughout the countries. The Malaysian government seems to be going full steam ahead for the palm oil trade boom.

In the globe’s eye, the viewpoint has been split into two. Countries  like China and India who have invested heavily in the palm oil trade agree that the trees should be cut down to make way for palm oil trees. With a lot of money put into the trade,  these countries think that Malaysia should continue to deforest for the country’s advancement financially and socially. But there are some countries that object the idea of deforesting the forests of Malaysia, countries like Brazil have objected the idea as it could bring negative impacts to the country’s diverse flora and fauna of Malaysia. Thousands of undiscovered species reside in the forests of east Malaysia and Borneo and by destroying the forest could lead to the extinction of these species.

In a nutshell, I think that the Malaysia should take a whack at the palm oil boom but reforesting efforts and the establishment of forest and wildlife reserves should also be taken to consideration. If Malaysians can work together to maintain this balance of harmony between humans and nature, the dream of Wawasan 2020 may be that much closer to achieve.