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)