Influential religious leaders oppose reopening of TPL

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Influential religious organizations and non-governmental organizations have expressed their support to the people of Porsea, North Sumatra, who are opposed to the planned reopening of pulp producer PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL).

Support came from, among others, the country's second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) and the New Indonesian Movement.

They said in a joint statement on Friday they supported the people's fight against TPL, previously known as PT Inti Indorayon Utama (IIU), because the company had caused environmental damage, injustice and conflict.

The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) and the country's largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), previously made known their support for the people of Porsea.

"TPL has caused the people of Porsea to suffer through the decline in the quality of their environment, and they must live with that," this latest statement of support read.

According to the statement, allowing TPL to resume operations would cause conflict in Porsea.

Attempt to reopen TPL will only exacerbate the country's poor condition, it read.

Muhammadiyah deputy chairman Din Syamsuddin said his organization would ask the government to consider the demand of the people of Porsea not to reopen TPL.

"Porsea's residents have rejected plans to allow TPL to resume operations, as during its previous operation TPL created a trauma of environmental destruction, conflict and injustice.

"We will send a letter to the President (Megawati Soekarnoputri) and the relevant ministries asking them to heed the call," he said during a media conference.

Din said Muhammadiyah would always oppose any development or investment projects that caused environmental damage, as mandated by Islam.

TPL's operations were suspended by the government in 1999 during the administration of president Habibie in response to major protests by locals.

Protesters said acid rain caused by the operation of TPL had drastically reduced rice and other crops, while toxic gases released by the company were causing respiratory problems.

In 2000, the government gave TPL permission to resume its pulp operations. However, the company was not allowed to resume its rayon operations, in the hope that this would drastically reduce pollution.

The current planned reopening of TPL is based on this 2000 decision.

Local supporters of TPL say reopening the company would provide the local government with some Rp 150 billion (US$16.6 million) in taxes, which previously went to the central government.

They say that should TPL remain closed, shareholders could sue the government through an international arbitration board and demand $600 million in compensation.