Jikalahari

“It will be difficult if we repeal their permit as it will cause uncertainty in the legal status," said Zulkifli to Tempo yesterday night. He will try to make best way out to answer their demand. According to Zulkifli Hasan, in 111 days of Indonesia Bersatu Cabinet he did not issue any permit for forest extrication either for industrial plantation.

To get more information Zulkifli decided to meet and visit Teluk Meranti community directly the day before. He confuting the opinion that said he visit PT RAPP concession area either other companies in Riau. “I fly with helicopter from Provincial Police dept.  and go across RAPP plantation, but I did not come to their company,” he said.

In the meeting with at least 1.000 Teluk Meranti inhabitants, also presented by PT RAPP representation, DoF Riau and local leader. The community demanding for all companies to stop the activities of forest cutting in Kampar Peninsula. “It will destroy environment we (community) will be the victim and get the consequences, “said Rusman, 55 years, one of local leader in Teluk Meranti.

In that moment community send their petition to save Kampar Peninsula forest, which already signed by 1.028 inhabitants. They reject the existence of PT RAPP. And in the same time, a group of environmentalist anti forest destruction conduct demonstration at Riau Parliament office. They pushed MoF to repeal industrial plantation, conduct investigation in permit issue (indication of corruption) and accelerate Special Committee establishment for Kampar Peninsula in Riau Provincial Parliament.

Coalition consists of some NGO’s such as: Greenpeace, Walhi, Jikalahari, and nature lover students from Riau University, Lancang Kuning University, and University Islam Riau. “This action also taken to welcome MoF visit," explains Greenpeace forest campaigner Riau, Rusmadya, for Tempo yesterday.

According to Rusmadya, government should repeal PT RAPP permit permanently. He also questioning about MoF seriousness when MoF withdraw PT RAPP permit temporarily on last January.  “The company (PT. RAPP) assumed that the withdrawal only in verbal way, so they continue to convert the forest,” he said.

Greenpeace, said Rusmadya, focused to strive for saving Kampar Peninsula since Kampar Peninsula is the biggest peat swamp forest in Sumatera. Up to now,  from 700 thousands  ha of peat land, around 70 percent is in good condition still. Some natural forest spot also being kept. However the permit for PT RAPP in the period of M.S Kaban has been misused. Even the local community did not get more prosperous.

 Zulkifli admitted that the condition of Teluk Meranti community is very low whereas they were surrounded by big companies”. “Local community from Riau, they should not be watcher only."

Source: bataviase.co.id, 13 Feb 2010