Jikalahari

Team Coordinator TP2SK, Susanto Kurniawan said in April, independent consultant Smartwood postponed controlled wood Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)  certificate to  Asia Paper Resources International Limited (APRIL) due to company disability in fulfill minimum standard to get controlled wood certification. Some reason for not getting the certificate is because PT RAPP, the subsidiary company of APRIL group still cutting down the tree from  area of conservation forest with high value (HCVF) such as peat swamp forest in Kampar Peninsula, and involved in such of serious human right violation cases i.e. case between Tangun community and PT. Sumatera Sylva Lestari (SSL).

 “If some people say there is no conflict either contradiction in Kampar Peninsula management, it is  wrong. The postpone of controlled wood FSC certificate is one of proof that the company disobey the sustain pulp industry management. Beside, Kampar Peninsula is very rich of carbon contain there so conversion activities will trigger global warming. The biggest and risk impact will be particularly experienced by Riau Community,” Susanto added.

 Up to now PT RAPP continue their operation in Kampar Peninsula concession and resulting  community protest. Meanwhile MoF not yet announce the decision to withdraw or keep the temporary permit suspension  which already issued by Ministry of Forestry on November 2009 lalu. It shows strong evidence that PT RAPP continue breaking Indonesia law.

 Responding the result of recommendation from Independent Expert Team (TPI) formed by MoF, Scale Up Director who also Kampar Peninsula Rescue Supporting Team (TP2SK) member, Ahmad Zazali said that  MoF has not yet respond the recommendation from the independent expert team. TP2SK have meet some TPI member, they clarify that team duty is only to evaluate the technology used by RAPP. It’s clearly not appropriate with what NGO says that permit has been issued to RAPP in Kampar Peninsula is against Indonesia law¹. So it is not right if the result from the team used to be the reason to allow forest destruction by RAPP.

 “The recommendation not yet final and recommendation execution is not yet decided by MoF. It is only information misdirection spreads to community. MoF should consider the postpone of controlled wood FSC certificate to RAPP and protest delivered by community in Teluk Binjai village and Teluk Meranti who feel their livelihood being threatened because of peat land destruction done by pulp and paper company. Community protest also showing that the company violate Free Prior and Informed Consent/FPIC”,  principle said Zazali.²

 Another Kampar Peninsula Rescue Support Team (TP2SK) who also Director of Friends of The Earth (Walhi) Riau, Hariansyah Usman affirmed currently APRIL has been violating  sustain forestry business commitment since they fail to stop bad practice in their operation that resulting environment  damage and social conflict.

 “ Community in Teluk Meranti  and Teluk Binjai continue to conflict with the operation of peat forest destruction by PT RAPP in their village. So, if the Governor of Riau Rusli Zainal said that there is no problem in Kampar Peninsula, this condition indicates that Gubri unable to understand what is happening there. It is so obvious shows Riau Governor only defend the interests of the business of PT RAPP and never take side to the sustainability of its citizens who live  there. This is one fact of violation for the mandate of the 1945 Constitution article 33, " said Hariansyah.

 Meanwhile, another member of TP2SK and Forest Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Zulfahmi asked MoF to be consistent over his statement in the media  few days ago that stated  the ministry is committed to protect all peat forest in Indonesia. The consistency must be sent in the final decision on the suspension of the operating license for PT RAPP in Kampar Peninsula.

Greenpeace asked Indonesian government not to repeat the same mistakes by allow peat forest conversion  in area with depths more than 3 meters because it is not only affect the climate but the conversion of peat at depths of three meters is illegal, and if RAPP continue their operation in Kampar Peninsula, it means they conduct illegal activities. In fact, Minister for Forestry, Agriculture Minister and Minister of Environment Dept.  received mandate from the President to reduce emissions by 26% and improve the national image by stopping the peat forests destruction for pulp and paper companies expansion, " said Zulfahmi.

Editor Notes:

1. National Regulation  Number 26 year 2008 and article 52 and article 55 President Decree No. 32/1990 about Conservation  Area Management
2. FPIC is  the principle applied to all type of development which will give impact to community right who live surround, included in United Nation Declaration for indigenous people (http://scaleup.or.id/pengalaman-fpicredd/Dekalari%20PBB%20%20ttg%20Hak2%20Masyarakat%20Adat%20new.pdf;  http://scaleup.or.id/Letters%20April/Handbook%20FPIC%20final.pdf)

Contact Person:

Team Coordinator of TP2SK, Susanto Kurniawan : 087893371845

Director Scale Up, Ahmad Zazali : 08126829927

Director Friend of The  Earth (Walhi) Riau, Hariansyah Usman : 081276699967

Forest Campaigner Greenpeace SEA, Zulfahmi : 08126821214

Media Campaign, Greenpeace SEA, Zamzami : 08117503918