Wed, 08 Sep 2010

From:

VIVAnews - The Indonesian government is alleged of issuing permit to oil palm companies having no concerns over the environment.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa insisted that the government has never granted any permit to companies which destroy the economy. "We'll invite surveyors or consultans [to make an evaluation over the suspicion]," he said today, September 8.

The government, he said, refuses to be treated unfairly. He vowed of revealing matters in detail as an effort to emphasize Indonesia's wills in protecting the environment from oil palm plantation.

"This can't be a marketing strategy for defending certain interests. We 'll assure the government won't issue any permit for companies that make any damage to the environment," said Hatta.

As reported, Burger King has decided to follow the steps of Unilever, Nestle, and Kraft, to stop buying palm oil from Sinar Mas (Smart), Indonesia.

However, the government tries to stay neutral in responding the case. "Nestle, Unilever, or other buyers have given too much pressures on the industry. We surely have to find a way out to solve the issue," said Director General of Foreign Trading at the Ministry of Trade, Deddy Saleh, in Jakarta.

According to Deddy, the government will not remain silent over any violation committed by oil palm companies.

The government keeps facilitating the Indonesian companies as Deputy Minister of Trade is holding talks with crude palm oil producers, buyers, and the World Bank in Brussel, Belgium.

Deddy asks CPO producers to obey every regulation on oil palm industry.