Depth report

　　

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met with visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the 8th. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two countries said they would "work together to combat the highly discriminatory measures against the palm oil industry" in the EU's deforestation bill.

According to Bernama, the two leaders called on the EU to lift the restrictions and provide a "fair and just solution". The two sides also agreed to continue strengthening cooperation to avoid "discrimination" against products from the two countries.

The European Union recently passed the Deforestation Act, which restricts the sale of deforestation and products that cause forest degradation in the EU, including palm oil. Indonesia and Malaysia are the world's first and second palm oil producers, accounting for more than 85% of the world's palm oil production. Malaysia and Indonesia believe that the EU law will have a significant impact on the palm oil industry in both countries.

At the end of May, the two countries sent joint delegations to Brussels and London to voice their opposition to the bill. Mr Anwar and Mr Joko said after their meeting on the 8th that the delegation was "the first time that the two countries have spoken with one voice to defend the interests of the palm oil industry".

Joko arrived in Malaysia on the 7th for a working visit. Anwar and Joko on the 8th also witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding between the two countries on promoting bilateral trade, promoting investment, and cooperation in the halal industry.