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.