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.