SIME Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) has again responded to Liberty Shared’s (LS) allegations, calling for the human rights organisation to provide full details and information for SDP to conduct investigations.
“Despite our request to LS, SDP has yet to receive the full details and information of the breaches and serious allegations alleged in LS’s petition.
“In the absence of such crucial information, SDP is unable to conduct a full and thorough investigation on the allegations,” said SDP in a statement.
The allegations made by LS were risks of bribery, wage theft and money-laundering due to workers holding accounts at the same bank as SDP.
However, the plantation player said these were not in the initial allegations in the petition made by LS to the US Customs and Border Protection on July 6.
“SDP views this statement with serious concerns as it is insinuating the possibility of one of Malaysia’s most respected banking institutions colluding to wage theft with SDP, in addition to money-laundering.
“This veiled remark must be substantiated with strong and clear evidence, as by implication, it also raises the question on the credibility of the related financial institution that is subjected to stringent banking laws and regulatory framework. SDP has no means to investigate these issues thoroughly without substantive details,” said SDP.
The plantation group added that any instances of such allegations would have been voiced by the National Union of Plantation Workers, while the Malaysian Department of Labour has been conducting regular inspections.
SDP said it has put into place a number of practices and oversight committees to ensure good governance and sustainability practices, and to provide avenues for any infractions within its organisation to be reported without fear of retaliation.
In response to LS questioning the ability of non-government organisations in assisting with issues relating to corporate governance, risk management and internal controls, SDP said it will stand by its NGO partners.
“These organisations have helped both us and the industry at large to devise and implement changes for progress in numerous areas over the years.
“We will continue to engage and work with NGOs and like-minded organisations that share a common objective to further improve our own standards and practices, as well as raising the bar on sustainable growth for the industry,” said SDP.
SDP added that it will continue engaging LS to seek further clarification.
SDP’s shares were last done at RM5.11 at the midday break. – Aug 7, 2020
