Sony 'powerless' to cope with forest fires

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)