Sarwono accuses three firms of burning forests

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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