Last week, an Associated Press (AP) report titled “Rape, abuses in palm oil fields linked to top cosmetics brands” had called attention to serious allegations of abuse against women employed or associated with the palm oil industry.

MPOC CEO Kalyana Sundram said the authors should immediately cooperate with the authorities or through an NGO by sharing the exact evidence so that these allegations could be thoroughly investigated.

“If the motive of the authors of the AP report is to provide justice to the alleged victims, they should step forward. Withholding or silencing such evidence is not going to help the victims, nor the industry and will hinder justice,” he said in a statement.

He said the council viewed these allegations very seriously as they were criminal in nature.

“Malaysia will not condone such criminal acts or tolerate any misuse or abuse of any employees, especially women,” he said.

Sundram said that failure to step forward will lead to no action being taken as the Malaysian authorities have not received any reports on such abuse. They cannot institute legal action unless complaints are lodged officially.

MPOA CEO Nageeb Wahab said reporting to the police on the wrongful activity is an important first step to prove these allegations had basis.

“The way to achieve this goal would be to work together, honestly, openly and with sincerity,” he said in a statement.

Nageeb said the sweeping allegations made in the article painted a picture of life on Malaysian palm oil estates which was plainly exaggerated.

He said the writers had gone to some lengths to create the impression that such abuse is endemic when in fact such acts of violence, oppression and harassment are isolated incidents.