Criticism Mounts Over Malaysia's 'Orangutan Diplomacy' Strategy

Malaysia is looking to adopt a similar strategy as China's “panda diplomacy” and Australia's use of koalas as ambassadors by offering orangutans to countries purchasing its palm oil. However, this idea has faced strong opposition from conservationists who point out that palm oil production is a major contributor to the decline in orangutan populations. In fact, a prominent conservation professor has described the plan as "obscene."

Palm oil is a popular vegetable oil used in a wide range of products like shampoo, soaps, and even ice cream. Unfortunately, clearing land for palm oil plantations has led to significant deforestation, posing a serious threat to critically endangered orangutans.

Malaysia ranks as the world’s second-largest palm oil exporter, following Indonesia.

Production plays a crucial role in the economy, and in recent years, government officials have made efforts to protect and enhance the industry. They have introduced various initiatives to promote sustainability, such as encouraging better agricultural practices and awarding green certificates to companies that meet sustainability criteria.

 Active self‑treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan.

 Active self‑treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan.

Armas

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At a biodiversity summit near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's minister for plantations and commodities discussed plans for "orangutan diplomacy." Inspired by China's panda diplomacy, Malaysia aims to strengthen ties with trading partners by gifting orangutans, just like China loans pandas to zoos abroad.

Minister Johari Abdul Ghani explained that these partners, including the EU, India, and China, are worried about how agricultural commodities affect the climate. Orangutan diplomacy is seen as a beneficial diplomatic strategy to improve foreign relations and trading partnerships.

Ghani did not give more information about when or how the animals would be obtained. However, he encouraged palm oil companies to work together with local environmental organizations to protect the endangered giant apes.

He mentioned that this collaboration would show Malaysia's commitment to conserving wildlife and preserving our forests, especially within the palm oil industry.

Halved oil palm kernels are seen on the trade floor of a commodities conference and exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

Halved oil palm kernels are seen on the trade floor of a commodities conference and exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

Conservationists were quick to criticize the announcement. Stuart Pimm, chair of conservation ecology at Duke University, called the decision to destroy rainforests where orangutans live and give them as gifts "obscene, repugnant, and extraordinarily hypocritical." He stated that this action goes against the principles of protecting the environment and the planet.

Pimm pointed out that after using cute animals to attract attention, there is usually a bigger effort made for long-lasting conservation.

He emphasized the contrast between Malaysia's proposal and China's actions for giant pandas. China not only has top-notch facilities for pandas but also has set up protected areas to protect wild panda populations. Malaysia's government's proposal doesn't come close to what China has done.

CNN has contacted Ghani and Malaysia's Ministry of Plantation and Commodities to get more information about the orangutan program. They want to know how the program will help with conservation and sustainability.

A panda basks in the sun at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

A panda basks in the sun at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

VCG/Visual China Group/Getty Images

Environmental and conservation groups were against the proposal, urging Malaysian officials to focus on reducing deforestation rates, which they believe are mainly caused by palm oil.

According to a 2022 report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), between 2001 and 2019, Malaysia lost over 8 million hectares (19 million acres) of tree cover, an area almost as big as South Carolina.

Malaysia used to have a lot of forests covering most of its land, as mentioned in the WWF forestry report. The report also highlighted ongoing dangers like palm oil farming and harmful logging practices.

In 2023, Rimba Watch, a group that monitors climate issues, reported that an additional 2.3 million hectares of Malaysian forests are planned to be cleared for palm oil plantations.

"According to Heng Kiah Chun from Greenpeace Southeast Asia, relying on orangutan diplomacy will not be enough to address Malaysia's deforestation crisis. Instead of focusing on symbolic gestures, the Malaysian government should take concrete actions to protect biodiversity by implementing policies that combat deforestation."

Orangutan observed treating wound using medicinal plant in world first

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CNN

Conservation ‘crucial’

Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling animals, known to spend most of their lives swinging through canopies of tropical rainforests.

Researchers have observed the remarkable intelligence of these animals. They have been seen using medicinal herbs to treat wounds instinctively, as well as using tree branches, sticks, and stones as tools to crack open nuts.

An orangutan eats a pineapple at the Samboja Lodge eco-tourism resort, operated by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS), in East Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. For Jakarta, a city on the island of Java saddled with some of the worst superlatives in the regionmost polluted, most congested, fastest sinkingthe floods were an old story, the third time deluges have killed dozens since 2007. The problems have become so overwhelming that, even before the latest catastrophe, President Joko Widodo had decided to build a new capital 1,200 kilometers away on the island of Borneo. Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg via Getty Images

An orangutan is seen enjoying a pineapple at the Samboja Lodge eco-tourism resort, which is managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS) in East Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019.

The city of Jakarta, located on the island of Java, is known for being one of the most polluted, congested, and fastest sinking cities in the region. The recent floods in Jakarta were nothing new, as they have tragically occurred three times since 2007, resulting in the loss of many lives.

The challenges faced by Jakarta have become so immense that even before the latest disaster, President Joko Widodo had made the decision to construct a new capital city 1,200 kilometers away on the island of Borneo. This move is seen as a solution to the pressing issues that Jakarta is struggling with.

Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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Indonesia’s new forest capital in Borneo heightens fears for orangutans’ future

The gentle apes, once abundant in Southeast Asia, have seen a significant decrease in their population, especially on Borneo, a large island shared by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. According to a report by WWF Malaysia, in 1973, there were an estimated 288,500 orangutans on Borneo. However, by 2012, their numbers had declined by almost two-thirds to 104,700, with the trend continuing.

The report mentions that there are still approximately 100,000 orangutans remaining on Borneo and 14,000 on Sumatra, an island in Indonesia.

Orangutans are in critical danger and it is important to protect their habitats, WWF Malaysia stated in an interview with CNN.

WWF Malaysia emphasized that better forest management and sustainable palm oil production are key to demonstrating Malaysia's dedication to preserving biodiversity.

“Orangutan conservation is best achieved by ensuring the protection and conservation of their natural habitats – and that no further forest conversion into palm oil plantations is allowed.”

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