KUALA LUMPUR: The Covid-19 pandemic rebuilt our lives into one centred around Internet connectivity and digitalisation. As such, the resilience and capability of broadband networks have become more crucial.
Yet, while Reta's farm in Sungai Judah village on Carey Island, about 60 km (37 miles) from Kuala Lumpur, will protect wildlife and forests, aim to resolve any land disputes and use green growing methods, there is no guarantee she will be able to sell to Europe's premium-paying buyers in the future. Agreed in December and due to take effect within two years, the EU law will force global suppliers of commodities like palm oil, soy and cocoa to prove that their supply chains are not fuelling forest destruction.
The long list of requirements will be hard for small-scale farmers to meet, and could push risk-averse palm oil buyers in Europe to switch to larger plantations with deeper pockets.
M alaysian palm oil farmer Reta Lajah is one of only a few in her village to be certified green and ethical, after a year-long journey to join a global scheme that she hopes will help her navigate a new European Union law to curb deforestation.
SELANGOR RULER Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah can be very stern when there is a need for him to address certain issues. Recently, Sultan Sharafuddin voiced his displeasure after some religious school teachers and mosque officials had refused to get inoculated against Covid-19.