Forestry companies fork out Rp 2b in fines

Forestry companies fork out Rp 2b in fines

JAKARTA (JP): The government has collected Rp 2 billion
(around US$909,000) in fines from delinquent forest
concessionaires.

Minister of Forestry Djamaluddin Suryohadikusumo said forest
concessionaires who failed to abide by forestry rulings and
procedures were fined.

"Forestry companies, which violate the government's
regulations could also lose their concession rights," he told
Antara news agency.

The minister did not identify the number of forest
concessionaires who were subject to fines.

He said there has been no improvement in the discipline of
forestry companies in relation to forestry regulations in the
last three years.

He said the results of the periodic evaluations of 550 forest
concessionaires were not satisfactory.

The average score received by the assessed companies was only
46, well below the top rating of 100.

"Only 22 forestry companies got scores higher than the average
of 46," he said.

He added that if the companies fulfilled all the forestry
regulations they could receive a rating of 100.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Vice President
Try Sutrisno, Djamaluddin said he supported the Suriname
government's disciplinary measures imposed on PT Nusa, an
Indonesian forestry firm operating in that country. (hen)