(Provides particulars of criticism, NGO's response, rights activist's quote; parag
(Provides particulars of criticism, NGO’s response, rights activist’s
quote; paragraphs 4-8,11-13)
By Mei Mei Chu
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Reuters) – The Securities Fee
of Malaysia has begun investigating palm large Sime Darby
Plantations , the corporate mentioned on Thursday, following a
criticism by a non-government physique within the wake of a U.S. ban on
imports over accusations of pressured labour.
Anti-trafficking group Liberty Shared accused the world’s
largest producer of sustainably-made palm oil of “wrongful
disclosures” in its 2019 sustainability report, the agency mentioned in
a press release.
“As a accountable company citizen listed on the Malaysian
bourse, Sime Darby Plantations will cooperate absolutely with the
Securities Fee,” it added.
In December, U.S. customs positioned a ‘withhold launch order’
(WRO) on the corporate, after Hong Kong-based Liberty Shared
petitioned it final yr to ban Sime Darby merchandise, citing
proof of labour abuse.
The group complained to Malaysia’s securities fee in
December looking for a evaluation of the sustainability report in gentle
of the usimport ban.
Malaysian alternate itemizing guidelines require firms to
disclose financial, social and environmental dangers in a balanced
sustainability assertion.
“The conclusions reached by U.S. Customs and Border
Safety and the issuance of the WRO…elevate severe questions
as to the scope and the accuracy of the disclosures and
descriptions…in Sime Darby’s Sustainability Report 2019,”
Liberty Shared wrote within the criticism reviewed by Reuters.
The securities panel didn’t instantly reply to a
request for remark. Nonetheless, it confirmed final month to Reuters
that it had obtained a criticism, though it declined to
disclose particulars of a matter beneath evaluation.
Sime Darby mentioned it had begun authorized motion this week within the
United States in opposition to Duncan Jepson, managing director of
Liberty Shared, to acquire key info on its criticism.
“That is the primary time in SDP’s 200-year historical past that we
have resorted to taking authorized motion in opposition to an NGO,” the
firm mentioned.
In a textual content message, Jepson instructed Reuters, “I have not but learn
the proceedings for discovery, however will accomplish that and reply
accordingly.”
Rights activist Andy Corridor, just lately appointed to Sime
Darby’s human rights evaluation panel, mentioned he anticipated swift
decision of the litigation in a method that advantages the agency’s
migrant staff.
They “stay at excessive danger of pressured labour”, he instructed
Reuters.
(Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Enhancing by Clarence Fernandez)
(([email protected]; +6-139-492-9424; Reuters
Messaging: @meixchu on Twitter))
Key phrases: MALAYSIA SIMEDARBY/ (UPDATE 1)
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the creator and don’t essentially replicate these of Nasdaq, Inc.