Stop logging in Java and Bali, says minister
Stop logging in Java and Bali, says minister
Ainur R. Sophiaan and Hamid Kasim, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya/Ambon
State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim has called for
a moratorium on logging in Java and Bali because the forests on
these densely populated islands were severely damaged.
Speaking in Surabaya, East Java, the minister urged on
Thursday all governors of those two islands to issue a decree
prohibiting logging for the next five years to help reforestation
of barren areas.
"Java and Bali are no longer able to produce timber," he said,
adding that the provinces of those islands should embark on a
reforestation program.
On the same occasion, East Java Governor Imam Utomo added that
after the fatal landslide in Pacet, Mojokerto, which claimed over
30 lives, the local government issued a decree to stop logging in
the regencies and municipalities of that province.
"The decree applies also to state-owned forestry company
Perhutani, but since the company is under its own authority, it
is up to the Ministry of Forestry to issue the moratorium," the
governor said.
The state minister said that his ministry would launch an eco-
labeling program with the aim of raising public awareness about
the need to reduce the level of water, soil and air pollution in
the country. Companies will be given certificates according to
the amount of pollution they produce.
"The label informs investors, consumers and the international
community about the amount of pollution those companies
generate," he said.
The minister said all sides, including environmental non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), should pressure timber
companies and locals to stop logging because it contributes to
natural disasters.
"We should learn from the flash flood at Pacet hot springs in
December and the recent one in Garut."
Makarim also hailed the importance of a clean river program as
an important step in promoting the population's health.
Separately, Evert Kermite, a councillor of the Maluku
legislative council, said findings from the provincial
legislature revealed that 12 forest concessionaires had not paid
the building and land tax (PBB).
"A total of Rp 9.7 billion in land and building taxes has not
been paid yet by these companies," Kermite said.
The head of the local revenue agency, A. de Fretes, said the
unpaid taxes had burdened the provincial budget as 90 percent of
them made up the province's revenue.
Aware of the fact that unpaid taxes were straining the
provincial budget, the land and building tax office has issued a
warning to the companies to pay their taxes.
"A warning letter has been sent to the errant companies, but
so far only six of them are willing to settle," said F. Saleka, a
staff member at the office.
He said that the agency could not resolve the problem of
unpaid taxes with the remaining six companies as it was unable to
locate them.
"Most of their permits have expired or the companies are no
longer operating in the wake of the violence from the ethnic
conflict in that region," Saleka said.