Sony 'powerless' to cope with forest fires

JAKARTA (JP): "I am really ashamed every time my counterparts from Malaysia and Singapore call me to complain about the haze coming from Sumatra," State Minister of Environment Sony Keraf said in an interview with The Jakarta Post recently.

Sony said ministers from the two neighboring countries always used well-chosen and polite words to tell him about the suffering of their people due to the smoke.

He described the burning of forests by big plantations and forestry industrial estates as "organized crime which often involves government officials and military officers as the backers of the companies".

The minister warned that the country's relations with its neighboring countries, including Thailand and Brunei, would be seriously affected if the government failed to fulfill its promises to stop the haze.

"Our neighbors are very upset with the smoke, but they refrain from being too harsh for the sake of ASEAN solidarity," Sony said.

During the dry season, private and state owned firms slash and burn forests, especially in Sumatra and Kalimantan, to expand their palm oil and forestry estates.

The resulting haze from the fires spreads to nearby countries and causes health problems.

Citing his own experience during a recent visit to West Kalimantan, Sony said local authorities, including the ministry of forestry and plantations officials, were also responsible for the fires.

Sony recalled how West Kalimantan Governor Aspar Aswin bluntly denied that two companies, PT Finantara Intiga and PT West Kalindo, had burned forests in the province to expand their estates there.

"Although I showed him satellite data, he still repudiated it," the minister noted.

In other provinces, like Riau, provincial ministry of forestry and plantation officials often blame local farmers as the most responsible for the fires in their regions.

"Many companies feel free to burn because government officials or military officers back their activities," Sony said.

Sony, who represents the Indonesian Democratic of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in the Cabinet, is a doctor of philosophy. He taught business ethics at Atmajaya University before his promotion to the Cabinet.

Sony's appointment was strongly opposed by environmentalists due to his poor experience and knowledge of the environment. He has slowly proved his capability.

"My office can not directly deal with the environment violators. I can only issue recommendations," Sony complained when asked about obstacles he was facing as a minister.

Sony, 42, hinted the government would never be able to stop forest fires if it didn't have a strong commitment to law enforcement.

He said the government's inconsistency had resulted in companies defying its warning not to use slash-and-burn techniques in opening new land for plantations.

From 167 forest fire cases since 1997, only one firm has been punished. It was ordered to pay a fine. Forest fires during the long dry seasons in 1997 and 1998 affected some 10 million hectares of forest, mainly in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Citing satellite data from Singapore which showed 138 hot spots in Riau last week, Sony said 23 forestry estates, including PT Adey Crumb Rubber and PT Gunung Mas Raya and 21 plantation companies, were involved in slash-and-burn activities.

In North Sumatra, at least 193 hot spots on five forestry estates, including 175 belonging to PT Inhutani IV, and eight plantations were picked up by satellite cameras.

Sony also said he had data showing that in Central Kalimantan the giant firm PT Salim Group was also involved. Fires in West Kalimantan involved six companies, including PT Cemaru Lestari, according to the minister.

"The companies will continue committing crimes because they know the government is unable to take any action against them," Sony complained.

Sony said the government had a good opportunity to enforce the law in Riau, where four companies would soon be taken to court for their crimes.

"I hope the court will be able to prove its capability of enforcing the law," Sony remarked.

The minister also disclosed the Ministry of Finance had agreed to provide Rp 1.5 billion to his office for funds to monitor forest fires throughout the country.

"My staff need money to buy plane tickets, for local transportation costs and for their lodgings during visits to the locations in the regions," Sony said.

Sony has picked several experts from various ministries and state universities, including Sudharto P. Hadi, a professor of law at Diponegoro University in Semarang, to assist him in his office on Jl. D.I.Panjaitan, East Jakarta.

"I need a strong team. But I do not know whether I will still remain in the Cabinet after the next reshuffle," Sony said. (prb)