11 March 2021

Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) has commenced legal proceedings against non-governmental organisation (NGO) Liberty Shared’s managing director Duncan Jepson to obtain information pertaining to a complaint filed by Jepson with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) against the planter.

...

“This is the first time in SDP’s 200-year history that we have resorted to taking legal action against an NGO. SDP engages with non-governmental and civil society organisations across the world, supportive and respectful of the important role they play in society. It is this relationship of mutual respect that has allowed SDP to become an industry leader, trusted by our peers, customers, and important stakeholders like highly reputable NGOs,” it said.

SDP said that despite several direct and indirect engagements, Jepson continues to withhold vital information that could have helped the plantation workers that he has claimed to champion. 

“SDP had in fact appointed PwC Singapore in October 2020, on Jepson’s request, to share with us the information necessary to address the alleged issues found in our plantations. Subsequently, PwC Singapore appointed yet another individual who works closely with Jepson and Liberty Shared, again on Jepson’s request. Neither PwC Singapore nor the individual have been able to share the material information needed to address any issues that may exist in our plantations,” SDP noted. 

“Meanwhile, Jepson has expressed his view that the appointment of NGOs to assist SDP would not be ideal as, in his opinion, 'social compliance specialists will not be able to offer an honest assessment of corporate governance and internal controls'. He also continues to withhold information despite repeated assurances that our main concern is the wellbeing of our workforce and that at SDP, whistleblowers are protected as a matter of course.” it added. 

...