Jokowi, Anwar Ibrahim Ready to Fight Oil Palm Discriminations

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed to work together to combat discrimination against palm oil. Indonesia and Malaysia are the largest producers of the commodity.

"We also agreed to strengthen cooperation through the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) to increase the market for palm oil and fight discrimination against palm oil," Jokowi said in a press statement on Anwar Ibrahim's visit at the Bogor Palace, Monday, January 9.

PM Anwar Ibrahim met Jokowi Widodo today at the Bogor Presidential Palace. His visit is focused on issues related to borders, trade cooperation between the two countries, migrant workers and palm oil (CPO). This is Anwar's first official visit to Indonesia. 

President Jokowi did not mention the European Union in his statement on discrimination. The EU is planning to phase out palm oil-based fuels by 2030 because, citing CPO's link to deforestation.

The issues of migrant workers and the plan to open dialogue on state border disputes and increase economic cooperation were also discussed by the two leaders.

Anwar and Jokowi also discussed regional issues such as the Myanmar crisis. Both agreed to support the ASEAN mechanism in conflict resolution, and called for the military junta to immediately stop the violence.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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