From P Ramasamy

Oil palm cultivation in the form of huge estates is certainly not the sole reason why the orangutan population is on the decline in Borneo.

However, one cannot deny that it is now the primary reason for the decline of the orangutans and other endangered species in the wild.

Sure, there other reasons, but they are nothing when compared to the impact that oil palm cultivation has had on the population of the orangutans in Sabah or elsewhere.

Given the rate of plantation expansion, it would be a miracle to rescue the orangutans and other endangered species in the region from total annihilation.

Plantation industries and commodities minister Zuraida Kamaruddin has a habit of downplaying the impact of oil palm cultivation on the dwindling population of the orangutans.

Some months back, she made the ludicrous remark that the orangutans were a danger to human lives.

Now she is saying that it was the population growth of humans, and not palm oil cultivation, that has had a negative impact on the orangutans.

It is not that human beings are directly endangering the lives of orangutans but a certain segment keen on profits in the production and sale of palm oil is clearing large tracts of land in the jungle at the expense of these endangered species.

As long as human greed prevails, presently manifesting in the form of more plantations, there is nothing to stop the orangutans from being wiped out altogether in our region.

I don’t expect Zuraida to have a complete understanding of the precarious existence of the orangutans, but like the other ministers, she lacks empathy and concern for endangered species in the country.

The government is too enmeshed with the interests of these plantation companies, especially the government-linked companies (GLCs) to stop such encroachment when clearing the jungles.

Zuraida must understand that she cannot talk about saving the orangutans or other endangered species when she herself promotes the interests of plantation companies.

It is only a matter of time, given the unbridled expansion of plantations, particularly in areas like Sabah and Sarawak, that this endangered species is completely wiped out of existence.

Sooner or later, they will be extinct save for those that are located in national parks, zoos and animal sanctuaries.

Perhaps the museums might be built here and there to capture the proud history of orangutans.

Maybe Zuraida can then take credit for the total expansion of plantations without the hindrance of the presence of the orangutans.

It is an utter shame that the government that has the mandate and responsibility to look after the endangered species might unwittingly contribute to their disappearance in time to come.

P Ramasamy is Penang deputy chief minister II.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.