A local daily here in Finland reported that 11 Greenpeace activists were arrested by the police for demonstrating at a petrol station on May 7. Half of the activitists were dressed in Orangutan costumes. These activists had chained themselves to petrol dispensers and the chains had to be cut by the police.

These Greenpeace activists had protested against the local petrol company’s (Neste) decision to purchase palm oil to generate its version of environment-friendly fuel for the Finnish market. Their protest was mainly due to the fact that rainforest land is cultivated to produce palm oil.

For Malaysia, Porim, and the other authorities concerned, the issues raised by these activists had been resolved by the quick and swift action of the local police. So what? This newspaper report might not have any substantial concerns for the large palm oil exporting conglomerates in Malaysia. Right?

Well, maybe not at the moment, but for sure it was a great victory for these Greenpeace activists just to get arrested. In a society that adheres to the ‘stakeholder approach’ in business, this was a successfully and effectively-conveyed message.

The effects of the arresta will soon lead to further complication for the local petrol company. It is only just a matter of time. In Finland and in Europe generally, companies that clash head-on with external stakeholders such as Greenpeace on environmental issues have always had to reform to accommodate the latter.

Malaysia, Porim and other authorities related to the marketing of palm oil should start to wake up and realise the fact that there is a mountain of research to be carried out immediately if palm oil is to be a respected commodity. Not having to do it will lead to ‘green washing’ which is a four= letter word in the environmental science sector. Just wake up before it is too late.

Another sensitive issue that entails this incident would reveal itself in the near future. Is the use of the palm oil by the local company to produce the environmental-friendly fuel really wise in the first place?

Transportation is a huge contributor to carbon emission, thus the process of transporting it from Malaysia to Finland via the sea emits a hell of a load of carbon into the air. Thus, is it really feasible to use it to produce environmental-friendly fuel?

Think wise and act now before they start to demonstrate on this cause. And when that happens, then starts the end of the market for palm oil here in northern Europe. Work on it before it is too late or palm oil will be deemed as an environmental burden.