Tragic struggle of oil palm against El NinoJoseph Tek Choon Yee It’s that time of year again —the monsoon season in Malaysia, when the entire country seems to morph into one giant splash zone. Floods dominate the headlines, the east coast is practically submerged, and Sarawak and Sabah are gearing up for their share of soggy days. As we wade through puddles, debating whether we should start...

Rebranding palm oil: Transforming perceptions and inspiring generationsJoseph Tek Choon Yee Golden olive groves stretching across Mediterranean hills, their ancient trees whispering tales of heritage, purity and tradition. Now consider the image that comes to mind for oil palm – vast plantations often vilified for deforestation, exploitation and corporate greed. The contrast is stark and deeply...

The secret love life of oil palmJoseph Tek Choon Yee Welcome to the enchanting world of oil palms, where nature’s most riveting drama unfolds – a plant soap opera where flowers flirt, pollen parties and fruits are the love children of a passionate union. Here, every bloom, pollinators and fruits are stars in a grand Oscar production of survival, adaptation and productivity. My fascination with...