Stop logging in Java and Bali, says minister<\/p>\n
Ainur R. Sophiaan and Hamid Kasim, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya\/Ambon<\/p>\n
State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim has called for
\na moratorium on logging in Java and Bali because the forests on
\nthese densely populated islands were severely damaged.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Surabaya, East Java, the minister urged on
\nThursday all governors of those two islands to issue a decree
\nprohibiting logging for the next five years to help reforestation
\nof barren areas.<\/p>\n
"Java and Bali are no longer able to produce timber," he said,
\nadding that the provinces of those islands should embark on a
\nreforestation program.<\/p>\n
On the same occasion, East Java Governor Imam Utomo added that
\nafter the fatal landslide in Pacet, Mojokerto, which claimed over
\n30 lives, the local government issued a decree to stop logging in
\nthe regencies and municipalities of that province.<\/p>\n
"The decree applies also to state-owned forestry company
\nPerhutani, but since the company is under its own authority, it
\nis up to the Ministry of Forestry to issue the moratorium," the
\ngovernor said.<\/p>\n
The state minister said that his ministry would launch an eco-
\nlabeling program with the aim of raising public awareness about
\nthe need to reduce the level of water, soil and air pollution in
\nthe country. Companies will be given certificates according to
\nthe amount of pollution they produce.<\/p>\n
"The label informs investors, consumers and the international
\ncommunity about the amount of pollution those companies
\ngenerate," he said.<\/p>\n
The minister said all sides, including environmental non-
\ngovernmental organizations (NGOs), should pressure timber
\ncompanies and locals to stop logging because it contributes to
\nnatural disasters.<\/p>\n
"We should learn from the flash flood at Pacet hot springs in
\nDecember and the recent one in Garut."<\/p>\n
Makarim also hailed the importance of a clean river program as
\nan important step in promoting the population's health.<\/p>\n
Separately, Evert Kermite, a councillor of the Maluku
\nlegislative council, said findings from the provincial
\nlegislature revealed that 12 forest concessionaires had not paid
\nthe building and land tax (PBB).<\/p>\n
"A total of Rp 9.7 billion in land and building taxes has not
\nbeen paid yet by these companies," Kermite said.<\/p>\n
The head of the local revenue agency, A. de Fretes, said the
\nunpaid taxes had burdened the provincial budget as 90 percent of
\nthem made up the province's revenue.<\/p>\n
Aware of the fact that unpaid taxes were straining the
\nprovincial budget, the land and building tax office has issued a
\nwarning to the companies to pay their taxes.<\/p>\n
"A warning letter has been sent to the errant companies, but
\nso far only six of them are willing to settle," said F. Saleka, a
\nstaff member at the office.<\/p>\n
He said that the agency could not resolve the problem of
\nunpaid taxes with the remaining six companies as it was unable to
\nlocate them.<\/p>\n
"Most of their permits have expired or the companies are no
\nlonger operating in the wake of the violence from the ethnic
\nconflict in that region," Saleka said.<\/p>",
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