DSP refuses to comment on Kutai forest plan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): PT Dwipangga Sakti Prima (DSP) refused to
\ncomment yesterday about its reported plan to exploit a vast area
\nof the protected Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
"We will not comment since what we have is for ours to keep
\nand we don't have to share anything with the public, well not yet
\nanyway," said a company public relations officer who requested
\nanonymity.<\/p>\n
She also refused to divulge the company's profile or its
\nowners. She only said that the company, whose head office is in
\nSouth Jakarta, is "a contractor, whose activities range from
\ntelephone installing to construction and mining."<\/p>\n
Earlier, the Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Mines and
\nEnergy had disclaimed any knowledge of the existence of the
\ncompany. Senior officials at the two ministries have also denied
\nissuing permits to either research or exploit 100,000 hectares of
\nthe 200,000-hectare national park.<\/p>\n
According to a source, the company's president, M. Riza
\nChalid, was one of the three people who showed the head of Kutai
\nNational Park, Warsito, a permit to undertake mining research.<\/p>\n
However, Warsito told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the
\nUnited Nations Education, Social and Cultural Organization
\n(UNESCO) and other organizations concerned about the preservation
\nof the park should now stop worrying, given the two ministries'
\nclarification about not issuing any permits.<\/p>\n
He also cited the Ministry of Forestry's assurance that it
\nwould help preserve the park.<\/p>\n
"I'm sure the Ministry of Forestry will do its best to prevent
\nany mining activities," he said.<\/p>\n
Warsito was the first to inform UNESCO of the reported mining
\nresearch. He had earlier expressed concern because, to his
\nknowledge, mining research often leads to permits being granted
\nto extract minerals.<\/p>\n
The Antara news agency was the first to publicize the plan to
\nexploit Kutai National Park. Its report sparked anxiety among
\nUNESCO experts who in turn requested an explanation from the
\nMinistry of Forestry. (12)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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