Malaysia Receives Backlash Over “Orangutan Diplomacy”

By Sasmita Larasati Sarosa

Malaysia is a country full of resources and landscapes to offer. However, it has recently received some backlash. Several protesters began to rise to the occasion for the intention of protecting. Some being from the local scene, and some from the International. These parties claim that Malaysia is being immensely money-oriented for sacrificing an endangered species. Malaysia’s pride, the Orangutan. The “Orangutan Diplomacy” is what they’re calling it. Many would instantly recall China’s “Panda Diplomacy” upon hearing about the Malaysian government’s initiative. There is quite a significant difference between the Chinese government’s method of diplomacy and the Malaysian government’s method of diplomacy.

Panda diplomacy is based on diplomatic relations between China and other countries. China initiates a loan or an act of gift giving in the form of a panda. But this act comes with a condition that was first established in the 1980s. When the pandas produce offspring, said country is obliged to return any offspring of the pandas (Prakash, 2024). Panda diplomacy is a practice that goes beyond giving gifts; it also includes loan agreements with terms attached requiring the borrower to construct facilities for the pandas’ care and to follow certain guidelines. These prerequisites can be upholding a specific degree of diplomatic ties with China or endorsing its environmental and conservation initiatives (Holland, 2017).

The Malaysian government’s innovative method, known as “orangutan diplomacy,” is giving orangutans as gifts to those who purchase palm oil from Malaysia. Further information on how exactly these orangutans would be acquired is not yet to be announced (Chen, 2024). The goal of this diplomacy is to demonstrate that Malaysia is a conscientious producer of palm oil, dedicated to protecting the environment and the orangutan population. The world community is supposed to understand Malaysia’s commitment to biodiversity conservation through the orangutans (WWF-Malaysia, 2024).

However, this approach has sparked significant criticism from conservationists and environmental groups. They argue that the destruction of orangutan habitats due to palm oil plantations contradicts the principles of protecting these endangered species and the planet. They also point out that Malaysia’s deforestation rates are high, with over 8 million hectares of tree cover lost between 2001 and 2019, primarily due to palm oil cultivation and unsustainable logging. Essentially by reducing the living habitation of orangutans, it also reduces the population of orangutans and poses the question, “where and how will they be conserved by Malaysia?” (Chen, 2024).

Considering all these points, the method posed by Malaysia persists in raising big protests and even bigger questions in the International arena.

References

Chen, H. (2024). An ape for palm oil? Why critics say Malaysia’s ‘orangutan diplomacy’ plan is problematic. Retrieved 14 May from https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/12/climate/malaysia-orangutan-diplomacy-conservation-intl-hnk

Holland, B. (2017). Panda Diplomacy: The World’s Cutest Ambassadors. Retrieved 14 May from https://www.history.com/news/panda-diplomacy-the-worlds-cutest-ambassadors

Prakash, P. (2024). What is China’s Panda Diplomacy? Explained. Retrieved 14 May from https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/what-is-chinas-panda-diplomacy-explained/article67881253.ece

WWF-Malaysia. (2024). Comment: What ‘orangutan diplomacy’ means for conservation. Retrieved 14 May from https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/705497