Sepang, Selangor, 4 July 2019 – Minister of Primary Industries, YB Teresa Kok, today launched the Malaysian Palm Oil Centre at KL International Airport, KLIA. Located at the Departure Hall on Level 5, the Palm Oil Centre is aimed at attracting travelers at the airport to learn about key benefits of palm oil in the health, food application, social, and economy context, in conjunction with the Love MY Palm Oil Campaign.
Palm oil promotions have been carried out at KLIA since the first quarter, in collaboration with Malaysia Airports, such as dissemination of information on palm oil via video on the info screen at the information counter on the Departure Hall, informative poster and videos on over 1,000 Flight Information Display Screens (FIDS) throughout KLIA & its second terminal, klia2 and also videos on KLIA TV.
The Palm Oil Centre reiterates these palm oil messages, gaining interest and strengthening the effects through visual attraction for travelers.
In her speech during the Malaysian Palm Oil Centre launch, YB Teresa Kok said, “Collaboration with Malaysia Airports helps us in maximising and expanding the reach of messages on the attributes of palm oil to airlines’ passengers at KLIA.” According to YB Teresa Kok, palm oil is the most consumed edible oil in the world. It is the largest oil produced and traded in the world among 17 major edible oils and fats. Palm oil constitutes 57% of the global trade of which Malaysia contributes 33% of this trade. More than 80% of palm oil is currently used for cooking and food applications, both for household and food industry. The health benefits and goodness of palm oil are scientifically proven by various clinical studies done by scientists from Malaysia and also renowned research institutions worldwide. All the scientific findings showed that palm oil is superior in term of health benefits and can improve people’s general health. However, many are not aware of the benefits of palm oil. The palm oil center at KLIA, serves to bridge this information gap.
The senior general manager of Malaysia Airports Sepang Mohammad Suhaimi Abdul Mubin said, “The palm oil industry is a major pillar of our Malaysian economy as it helps contribute towards the development of the nation via its substantial export earnings as well as employment opportunities the industry creates for Malaysians. Malaysia Airports hopes that through this promotional support which is part of its CSR initiative as a value creator, we are able to educate the general public on the overall benefits of palm oil usage and consumption. We ourselves are cultivating and managing the plantations of oil palm, coconut and other agriculture products around our airports under our subsidiary MAB Agriculture-Horticulture Sdn Bhd (MAAH). Therefore, any such promotional, marketing or awareness efforts would also bring positive impact to our business."
Commenting on the collaboration with Malaysia Airports, YB Teresa said, “the support we received from Malaysia Airports in providing us the space to showcase information on palm oil is a right step in ensuring that members of the public get correct information on palm oil and can be confident in relaying what they know about palm oil to others.”
We need to cultivate advocates for palm oil who can help us countering slanders against palm oil. We must not allow these negative perceptions to take centre stage; instead, we must be prepared to debunk any negative myths about palm oil, and promote the positive benefits of this useful product,” she added.
The palm oil centre placed at KLIA, not only provide information on palm oil, but also offers an Insta worthy backdrop for photography, which leverages on social media sharing to create awareness about the commodity.
Love MY Palm Oil campaign is an initiative by the Ministry of Primary Industries, undertaken by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council to instil pride and greater appreciation of the benefits of Malaysian palm oil. The campaign focuses on socio-economic, health, nutrition, food, environment and non-food aspects of palm oil. This year-long campaign encompasses promotional and physical activities at the national level through educational elements combining visual appeal, aesthetic value and social media platforms. It also engages Malaysians from all walks of life through various community-based events.