Palm oil investor stops residents from grazing livestock on Maruzi Ranch land in Apac

The Independent reports that Hill Side Agricultural Investment Limited, which leased Maruzi Ranch land from the government in 2019 for palm oil, has barred neighbouring residents from grazing livestock on the land, although the lease reportedly set aside about 10 square kilometres for affected people. A local council chairperson said he received directives from the investor, while the company's manager said the ban was meant to protect plantations. The Apac District Speaker said he asked the company to halt the eviction until a solution is found.