Mega defends mining policy in protected forests

Mega defends mining policy in protected forests

Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri said on Monday economic reasons outweighed environmental concerns in the government's recent decision to allow mining in protected forests.

"The government has to take all aspects into account to help our business sector develop, which will create jobs for the surrounding communities," the President said in a speech during the national commemoration of World Environment Day, which fell on June 5.

She said poverty was one major problem her administration had been able to reduce over the last three years.

"The government realizes that it faces a series of problems, including poverty, unemployment and environmental conservation." she said.

Also attending the ceremony were State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim and Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Husin Al Munawar.

The government issued regulation in lieu of law No. 1/2004 in March, allowing 13 mining firms to resume their operations in protected forests.

Megawati said that despite this controversial policy, the government had done a great deal to curb damage to the country's forests.

The President promised that her government would continue to eradicate illegal logging across the country.

Indonesian Forum for the Environment campaign division head Nur Hidayati said there were suspicions that the 13 firms were allowed to resume their operations in protected forests in return for campaign funds for certain political parties.

"This is not impossible as the issuance of the government regulation in lieu of law was so secretive even the House of Representatives did not have any information about it," she told the Jakarta Post.

House Commission VIII overseeing the environment has criticized the regulation.

During the ceremony on Monday, the President also presented environmental awards to citizens and state officials.

The Baduy tribe in Lebak regency, Banten, and the Kampung Naga tribe from Tasikmalaya, West Java, were honored for their efforts to conserve the environment.

Medan Mayor Abdillah, Central Jakarta Mayor Petra Lumbun, Gianyar Regent Agung Barata and Badung Regent Anak Agung Ngurah Oka were presented Adipura awards for their contributions to creating clean cities.