The HEALTH Plus | OCTOBER, 2019
10
p10
“I see a lot of local businesses
and smallholders are starting
to support our movement by
using our logo in their products.”
– YB Teresa Kok
PALM OIL FOR
THE NATION: productivity compared to other vegetable
oil crops, thus we are able to produce in large
quantities,” says the minister. The perception
of ‘cheap oil is bad oil’ can be damaging to our
health and the economy.
Contrary to popular belief, palm
oil is actually beneficial to our health.
According to research done in the UK,
palm oil does not contribute to the risk
of cardiovascular disease. There are not
many studies that can actually prove a
positive outcome from coconut oil.
The Prime Minister suggested that we
consume a spoon of red palm oil a day. It
might sound odd but in actuality, palm oil is a
great source of energy. It helps in absorbing fat
soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Palm oil is also
free of trans fat and cholesterol in addition to
being vegan-friendly and is a non GMO food
product.
“Red palm oil actually contains immense
health benefi ts. Through a special refi ning
method, we can retain the Pro-Vitamin A
that’s good for the eyes. It is also rich in
Vitamin E tocotrienols – an antioxidant that
protect the consumer to protect against heart
disease and protect the neurons in our brain,”
Kok says.
Kok showing one of the
comprehensive fl ier
made to help promote
the health benefi ts of
palm oil. Educating the public
“The campaign is for
Malaysians. We need our
nation to speak up,” says
Teresa Kok.
In the palm
of our hands
The ‘Love My Palm Oil’ campaign is set to improve
our quality of life healthily and fi nancially
W
BY SYED ZAID
HEN we think of
palm oil, most will
automatically think
of cooking. Palm oil
is not only stable at
high temperature, it
produces less smoke, spatter and foam. In
addition, palm oil is also used in our personal
care and beauty products. It is one of the
key ingredients used in manufacturing of
soap, shampoo, lipstick and other oil-based
cosmetics.
Putting palm oil on the local market
Keeping up with the trend, Malaysians have
slowly switched to using other types of oil as
their staple fat. We often hear the comparison
between the usage of olive oil and coconut
oil to be a ‘healthier’ substitute for palm oil.
However, these claims are baseless and a quick
cross check with your preferred search engine
will show you otherwise.
Marketing has a huge impact in infl uencing
the decision of consumers. The minister has
launched the ‘Love My Palm Oil Campaign’
as an initiative to promote the local product.
“Most of us are unaware of the versatility that
makes palm oil one of our primary exports,”
says the Minister of Primary Industry, YB
Teresa Kok. According to the minister,
Malaysians are less exposed to the health
benefi ts of palm oil. “As compared to here
in Malaysia, I saw banners to promote the
benefi ts of coconut oil in their airport when I
was in Beijing one time,” she adds.
Addressing the health issues
According to Kok, China is one of the largest
buyer of palm oil because it can be sold with
a low price. “Oil palm tree has the highest
Most Malaysians are unaware of palm oil and
its applications. Some even went as far as to
join the palm oil boycott, not realising the
importance of our local products. According
to Kok, she is often criticised by her passion in
promoting palm oil products to the
general public. She says, “I don’t blame them.
They are unaware of the benefi ts of palm
oil but I see a lot of local businesses and
smallholders are starting to support our
movement by using our logo in their
products.”
She continues: “The public are not aware
of the health benefi ts of palm oil. That’s
why I have invested a lot in this campaign.
The goal is to inform the general public that
supporting the palm oil industry is not only
benefi cial to our health, it will also help our
economy.”
Addressing the school play debacle that
happened recently; Kok says that children
are vulnerable to information making them
susceptible to the anti-palm oil propaganda
that has been spreading among the European
countries. “Malaysian children should
be exposed to the truth at an early age.
That’s why I’ve spoken to the educational
board to include palm oil education in the
co-curricular activities,” she says with a gleam
of hope. — The Health