Sarwono accuses three firms of burning forests

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Affairs Sarwono Kusumaatmadja charged yesterday three companies in Riau and Central Kalimantan with illegally burning forests to clear land for plantations and called for stern measures against them.

Sarwono alleged PT Surya Barokah in Central Kalimantan, PT Musim Mas and PT Tor Ganda in Riau had illegally burned forest to clear land.

"The three companies continued burning the forest despite the government's ban," Sarwono said after a hearing with House Commission X for national development planning, population, and research and technology.

However, Musim Mas's Director Surya denied yesterday Sarwono's allegation, saying that his company has been in the planting stage since the last few weeks.

"Forest burning will destroy our seedlings being planted," Surya said.

He added that plantation companies like Musi Mas was required to abide by strict rules set by the ministry of agriculture on land clearing and development.

Fires have caused thick haze in the country, Malaysia and Singapore causing pollution and disrupting transportation. In Malaysia it has reportedly also caused respiratory problems.

Several airports in Sumatra and Kalimantan had been forced to close down for several days over the last few months due to the haze. The Cilik Riwut Airport in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan was forced to canceled 322 flights between July 30 and Aug. 28.

The minister of forestry has ordered companies to stop burning forest to clear land for plantations or timber activities.

Sarwono said his office had carried out a number of investigations "to catch polluter companies", but complained that his office had no authority to take action against rule breakers.

He added satellite data actually had caught several other companies burning forests but "we have so far been able to inspect only the three companies cited above."

"We just investigate companies' activities, and report them to the related-ministries, such as the ministry of agriculture and the ministry of forestry, which have the authority to take action against them," he said.

He also said that the poor handling of forest burning and other environmental violations was partly caused by the lack of communication and coordination between related ministries.

"It means it is sometimes too late to do anything about the forest burning," he said.

Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said separately that his ministry had no authority to fight pollution problems, such as forest burning.

"We hope the State Minister of Environment can take action against the polluter companies under the environment bill," Djamaludin said.

The House of Representatives passed a new environment bill on Aug. 22 which imposes stiffer penalties on polluters, with a maximum 15 years jail and a Rp 750 million fine.

"We can only inflict social punishment, such as publicly announcing polluter companies' names," he said.

He said his ministry could revoke the forest licenses of companies caught burning forest. (08)

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