Govt Shuts Down Three Plantation Operations After Flawed Police Investigations
Jakarta. The government has permanently revoked the operating permits of three of 15 plantation companies previously under police investigations for alleged land burning in the province of Riau, a minister said on Thursday (22/09).
Hutani Sola Lestari, Siak Raya Timber and Dexter Timber Perkasa have all handed land management over to the government.
Operations at Sumatera Riang Lestari have been temporarily suspended, while Rimba Lazuardi has been ordered to fulfill a set of requirements before being allowed to resume operations.
"They range from those related to equipment to personnel," Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya told reporters in Jakarta.
"If the company doesn't do so, its permit could be revoked," she said after a hearing with House of Representatives lawmakers.
Land and forest fires have been an annual problem in the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. This prompted members of House Commission III, which oversees legal affairs, to form a special committee on the matter last month.
Last year's fires led to police investigations of 18 plantation companies for alleged land burning in Riau, but they later issued warrants terminating investigations into 15 of the companies.
Police cited a lack of evidence, defending the move in the face of protests from environmental activists. Lawmakers have also concluded the termination of police investigations was rife with irregularities.
Tags: Keywords: