District chief issues travel ban, prevents environmental trip<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>\n
Forty subdistrict chiefs in Toba Samosir regency in North Sumatra
\nhave been banned from going to Jakarta to meet the minister of
\nhome affairs, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas
\nHAM) and the House of Representatives to complain about a factory
\naccused of pollution and rights abuse.<\/p>\n
They had intended to lodge a formal protest against the
\ngovernment's endorsement of controversial pulp and paper mill, PT
\nToba Pulp Lestari (TPL), previously known as PT Inti Indorayon
\nUtama, to resume operations in March.<\/p>\n
The travel ban letter was officially issued by Lumbanjulu
\ndistrict chief M. Sitompul on June 3. The letter stated that no
\nsubdistrict chiefs in the district could leave without written
\npermission from Toba Samosir regent Sahala Tampubolon.<\/p>\n
Nagatimbul subdistrict chief Berton Sitorus said on Thursday
\nthat they were also not allowed to raise funds to finance a trip
\nto Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Executive director of the local branch of the Indonesian Forum
\nfor the Environment (Walhi) Herwin Nasution said, \"A regent does
\nnot have the right to ban subdistrict chiefs from doing anything.
\nThey will go to Jakarta to deliver their objection to the
\noperation of TPL.\"<\/p>\n
Herwin said that subdistrict chiefs, accompanied by
\nenvironmental activists, were scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on
\nJune 8.<\/p>\n
The ban reflects the local administration's clear favoritism
\ntoward the company, he added.<\/p>\n
Tarutung police precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Burhanuddin said
\nthe regent has been in close cooperation with the police to issue
\nand enforce the travel ban. He also said that the police would
\nkeep a close eye on all subdistrict chiefs to make sure they did
\nnot go to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"The reason for banning their movement is merely due to
\nsecurity concerns. If all subdistrict chiefs left, who would be
\nresponsible for security in their respective area?\" he wondered.<\/p>\n
Most local residents have opposed the government's decision to
\nreinstate TPL's operating license after widespread allegations of
\nenvironmental damage as well as rights violations during protests
\nnear the plant, located in Porsea subdistrict.<\/p>\n
Two people were shot and killed when local residents rallied
\nagainst TPL, a unit of the Radja Garuda Mas business group, four
\nyears ago. In the same year, three Indorayon supporters were
\nfound dead in the Asahan River.<\/p>\n
Farmers in Porsea have protested the company for polluting
\nagricultural land but the company has denied all charges of
\nenvironmental destruction.<\/p>\n
TPL was allowed to reopen after it promised to further tighten
\nits environmental controls and improve its community development
\nprograms to enhance relations with local residents.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/district-chief-issues-travel-ban-prevents-environmental-trip-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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