Eight firms loot forest in Nunukan

Eight firms loot forest in Nunukan

Nunukan, East Kalimantan: Nunukan legislative council chairman Mansyur urged the local administration on Saturday to take firm action against eight plantation companies that were burning forests for logging.

He said the companies had been issued licenses to start oil palm plantations ten years ago, but since then no oil palm seedlings had been grown on the land.

He said that instead of establishing oil palm plantations, the errant companies constructed sawmills on nearby Sebatik island to prepare logs for export.

"The companies have abused their licenses to loot the forest," he said, saying that Governor Suwarna was allegedly behind the eight companies.

The eight companies are Surya Dumai Group are PT Sawit Sebuku Perkasa, PT Bumi Simangaris Indah, PT Rapermas Bhakti Utara, PT Kaltim Bhakti Sejahtera, PT Tirta Madu, PT Karangjoang Hijau Lestari and PT Marsam. --Antara