15 forestry concessions revoked

The Ministry of Forestry has revoked concessions held by 15 companies for their failure to develop industrial timber plantations.

Suharyanto, the ministry's director general for the supervision of forestry production, said the companies included PT Kiani Hutani Lestari in East Kalimantan, which is owned by jailed tycoon Mohammad "Bob" Hasan, and PT Menara Hutan Buana in Central Kalimantan, which is owned by former President Soeharto's stepbrother, Probosutedjo.

The other affected companies are PT Acehnusa Indrapuri (Aceh), PT Adindo Hutani Lestari (East Kalimantan), PT Tusam Hutani Lestari (Aceh), PT Rimba Wawasan Permai (Aceh), PT Rimba Timur Sentosa (Aceh), PT Surya Hutani Jaya (East Kalimantan), PT Intraca Hutani Lestari (East Kalimantan), PT Wana Tani Lestari (Southeast Sulawesi), PT Hutan Barumun (North Sumatra), PT Anangga Pundinasa (East Kalimantan), PT Rimba Equator Permai (West Kalimantan), and PT Silva Inhutani Lampung (Lampung).

Suharyanto was quoted by Antara as saying that the companies had been awarded concessions covering a total area of 989,079 hectares, but as of Nov. 5 of this year they had managed only to developed industrial timber plantations covering 188,950 hectares, despite the fact that the government had provided them with loans.

He said the companies should repay their loans within 30 days. Otherwise, the government would take legal action against them. -- JP