The palm oil industry as a major employer protects people in the widest sense by the eradication of poverty, creating jobs, a decent livelihood, providing infrastructure and a contribution to social stability.

The right to use the land can be demonstrated and is not legitimately contested by local communities with demonstrable rights and it does not diminish the legal rights or customary rights, of other users, without their free, prior and informed consent.

TDM takes responsible consideration of employees, individuals and communities affected by operations. Any negotiations concerning compensation for loss of legal or customary rights are dealt with through a properly documented system. Pay and working conditions for employees and contractors always meet industry minimum standards and are sufficient to meet the basic needs of personnel and to provide some discretionary income.

An occupational health and safety plan is documented, effectively communicated and implemented in every division. All staff, workers, smallholders and contractors are appropriately trained according to their job requirements.

We respect the right of all personnel to form and join trade unions of their choice and to bargain collectively. Where the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining are restricted under law, the TDM facilitates parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining for all such personnel affected.

The Group shall not engage in or support any discrimination and has a policy to prevent sexual harassment and all other forms of violence against women and to protect their reproductive rights.

TDM protects the planet by applying good agricultural and land management practices which are friendly to the environment and maintain the eco-system of the planet.

The Group is aware of its environmental responsibility to conserve natural resources and maintain bio-diversity. An inventory of all estates and mills in the Group’s 37,000 hectares has identified environmental impacts, and plans for mitigation are developed, implemented and monitored demonstrating continuous improvement.

Similarly, a comprehensive and participatory independent social and environmental impact assessment is undertaken prior to establishing new plantings or operations, or expanding existing ones, and the results incorporated into planning, management and operations. Soil survey and topographic information are used for site planning in the establishment of new plantings and the results are incorporated into plans and operations. We avoid extensive planting on steep terrain, and/or on marginal and fragile soils.

Conservation of natural resources includes zero burning during land clearing activities and controlling soil erosion. We aim to maintain soil fertility and where possible improve soil fertility to a level that ensures optimal and sustained yield. We strive to control erosion and degradation of soil by terracing, using cover crops, building stop bunds along terraces, and maintaining the quality and availability of surface and under ground water.

Pests, diseases, weeds and invasive introduced species are effectively managed using appropriate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques encompassing a balanced combination of cultural and biological control. Agri-chemicals are judiciously used in a way that does not endanger health or the environment.

We commit to reduce waste, recycle, re-use and dispose in an environmentally and socially responsible manner in order to reduce pollution and emissions, including greenhouse gases. The management of pruned fronds and the treatment of oil mill byproducts, empty fruit bunches (“EFB”) and palm oil mill effluent (“POME”) follow these precepts.

We ensure the efficiency of energy use and the usage of renewable energy is maximised.

We will regularly monitor and review our activities by developing and implementing action plans that allow demonstrable continuous improvement in key operations in order to ensure the continuous improvement of the company.

Oil Palm has flourished to become the backbone of the country’s economic and social development from humble beginnings s ome 90 years ago and is now the 3rd largest contributor to the nation’s revenue.

To ensure the development of oil palm in sustainable manner, palm oil cultivation is one of the most highly regulated agri-industries of modern times having to comply with more than 60 laws and regulations in Malaysia from land acquisition and usage, to protection of wild life and the environment.

Increasing yields are an important agenda for Malaysia’s oil palm industry. To meet the targets, we rely on research and development to discover better clones of oil palm that will increase output of FFB per hectare. In addition, better technologies improve the milling process to increase oil extraction rates.

The industry’s great competitive advantage lies in its sheer size, very high productivity per hectare, low cost of production and the endproduct’s versatility. The cultivation of oil palm should be nurtured for the greater good of all mankind.

TDM is committed to long-term economic and financial viability and has formulated a vision, mission and strategy that sets a management plan to ensure operating procedures are appropriately documented and consistently implemented and monitored in every field.

While operating a profitable business in Malaysia, and in future in Indonesia, the Group is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility, ecologically friendly sustainable palm oil production and to working towards proof of sustainability by certification to Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (“RSPO”) standards.