Govt to get tough on forest burners

JAKARTA (JP): The government has once again vowed to be tough on forest burners, declaring that this time it would get "serious" by taking tough legal action.

State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja told reporters that the Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal), an agency under his office's coordination, would help the police and the Attorney General's office gather evidence against the forest burners.

Forest and brush fires have destroyed at least 300,000 hectares primarily in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The fires have caused severe haze which has also disrupted life in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore.

The government has alleged that the fires were started by plantation and timber companies which burn forests to clear land. Some of the local population has also been blamed for employing slash-and-burn methods.

President Soeharto ordered a stop to all land clearing activities using fire on Sept. 9.

The government has also suspended more than 100 wood use licenses because owners were accused of using burning methods.

"The punishment against those who have committed burning practices will be heavy," Sarwono said.

Sarwono was speaking yesterday after a special briefing with governors from Sumatra and Kalimantan on the latest situation and action to fight the fires.

Yesterday's meeting, the third in the past month, was to remind governors of the lingering threat of the fires.

After a brief respite, the haze returned earlier last week paralyzing transportation in many cities.

Sarwono, head of the National Coordination Team for Controlling Land and Forest Fires, instructed governors to be firm in their actions.

The national coordination team was set up by President Soeharto last month to coordinate the handling of forest fires. The secretary of development operations Lt. Gen. AM Hendropriyono is the deputy chairman of the team.

Sarwono promised that the actions "will be unprejudiced", allaying fears that only small traditional farmers will be pursued while the big plantation and timber firms will not.

He claimed the government has been preparing a strong legal case against those believed to be responsible.

"We have the list from the Investment Coordinating Board on who invested (in timber and plantation companies) this year, when they asked for their permits, when they started their activities ... which we'll match with the data on land clearing activities," he said.

A special team, spearheaded by police and prosecutors would soon be assigned to conduct a field inspection, Sarwono added.

Attending yesterday's meeting were Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, Lt. Gen. AM Hendropriyono and Chief of the Armed Forces General Affairs Lt. Gen. Tarub.

Also present were Head of the National Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Sri Diharto, deputy chairman of the National Space and Aviation Agency and deputy chairman of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology Indroyono Susilo. (aan)