Reforestation fee in rupiah

JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering setting reforestation fees paid by forest concession holders in rupiah instead of the U.S. dollar, Antara said Saturday.

Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo told the news agency he had submitted the proposal to President Soeharto.

"If the change is approved, we will introduce the new policy this year," he said.

The switch in the fee payment currency was necessary due to the fluctuation in the value of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar, he said. The change will ensure certainty for timber companies, he added

The government currently charges a reforestation fee of $15 for every cubic meter of forest land leased to concession holders.

Djamaludin said he had also ordered all state forestry companies to sell their logs in rupiah.

"The instruction was issued on Sept. 15," he said. If any state company still sells its logs in dollars, please inform me." (08)