EoF News (PEKANBARU) - In attempt to mitigate the corporates’ forest crimes, some activists demand Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to immediately seize the company assets of the listed names alleged for corporate crimes involvement.
Donal Faris, an Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) activist, admitted that so far KPK had given an impressive performance in which the forestry issues were back on track. “However, we lament police’s commitment ignorance that previously had issued the SP3 (Warrant Termination of Investigation) for the 14 companies,” he said as quoted as saying by Goriau.com news online (26 April 2013).
The 14 companies are PT Merbau Pelalawan Lestari, PT Mitra Kembang Selaras, PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper, PT Arara Abadi, PT Suntara Gaja Pati, PT Wana Rokan Bonai Perkasa, PT Anugerah Bumi Sentosa, PT Madukoro, PT Citra Sumber Selaras, PT Bukit Betabuh Sei Indah, PT Bina Daya Laksana, PT Rimba Mandau Lestari, PT Inhil Hutan Pratama, and PT Nusa Prima Manunggal which have been highlighted in ICW’s and other Riau’s Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO)’s investigation on the corruption case in Riau.
According to Faris, ICW and Riau NGOs really hoped that the mentioned companies will be prosecuted and named suspects as they allegedly violated Act No. 23/1997 on Environmental Management and Forestry Law No. 41/1999 concerning land use and forest product utilization license (illegal logging).
Muslim Rasyid from Jikalahari Riau NGOs network also stated that reopening of probe involving the 14 timber suppliers could save at least 60,000 hectares of natural forest in Riau. KPK’s efforts to investigate forestry corruption cases have strengthened the allegations of corruption practices by the companies along with local government officials.
In addition, the previous courts have revealed the state’s lost allegedly caused by the corruption in forestry that reaches the number of trillions dollars with the calculation of the value of the lost timber of Rp73 trillion and the value of environmental damage of almost Rp 2 trillion.
Responding the request, KPK answered that they have been working on the case seriously and further action will be conducted as planned and without haste.
KPK investigation team came to Pekanbaru to observe the forestry corruption in Pelalawan and Siak districts and examined a number of witnesses to the suspect, Rusli Zainal.
KPK also has jailed Azmun Tengku Jaafar (former head of Pelalawan District), Arwin A.S (former head of Siak district), Asral Rahman, Syuhada Tasman, and Burhanuddin Husin, all former heads of Riau’s Forestry Service.