Jakarta, 3 May 2012, Approaching one year of the moratorium implementation in Indonesia, the Indonesian Forest and Global Climate Rescue Coalition (1) in Jakarta today presented some important notes and revealed several issues that need to be immediately addressed to ensure the effective protection of forests and peatlands.

A year ago, the government enacted a New Permit Delay in Primary Forests and Peatlands (moratorium) based on Presidential Instruction No. 10 of 2011. Since the implementation, it has been far from President SBY’s own commitment to protect natural forests and is almost certain to have difficulty achieving the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 41% in 2020. This instruction only covers new permits and also in primary forests.

Greenpeace’s analysis shows a series of revisions to the indicative map of new permit delays (PIPIB) indicating a bias towards forest destruction, with reductions in forest and peatland areas continuing in each revision, 5.64 million hectares in the June-November 2011 period, and 4.9 million hectares potentially lost from November 2011 to May 2012. The forest and peatland areas covered by the moratorium map are shrinking. This is a clear indication of the “dwarfing” of President SBY’s commitment to saving Indonesia’s forests.

“A review process of all permits and procedures is the key to the success of the moratorium besides the total protection of Indonesia’s peatlands and natural forests; without this, forest governance improvements will only remain mere rhetoric,” exclaimed Yuyun Indradi, Greenpeace Forest Political Campaigner.

Out of 163 agrarian conflicts throughout 2011, details show 97 cases in the plantation sector, 36 cases in the forestry sector, 21 cases in the infrastructure sector, eight cases in the mining sector, and one case in the coastal area or fishponds. This indicates that Presidential Instruction No. 10/2011 has not improved forest governance in the forestry sector as it does not address social aspects, land rights, and community access to natural resources. The Mesuji and Pulau Padang cases are examples.

“The Pulau Padang case in Riau Province(2) clearly shows that what was instructed for the improvement of forest governance did not happen at all, as in reality, the government is more inclined towards large companies than the affected communities. PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper has clearly used its power to undermine President SBY’s commitment,” emphasized Muslim, coordinator of JIKALAHARI.

Deddy Ratih, WALHI Forest Campaign Manager, revealed, “Cases of permits issued in moratorium areas by Local Governments indicate a lack of understanding at the regional and national levels, including their role in implementing Presidential Instruction No. 10/2011. The moratorium and forest governance improvements have barely touched on biodiversity protection and law enforcement strengthening.”

In March 2012, Greenpeace submitted evidence of violations and illegal practices by Asia Pulp and Paper, the use of protected Ramin wood under CITES Appendix II, and Minister of Forestry Decree no.127/Kpts-V/2001; Minister of Forestry Decree no.168/2001; Minister of Forestry Decree no.1613/2001. So far, there has been no decision or follow-up from the government regarding the submitted evidence. Asia Pulp and Paper’s actions have destroyed Indonesian peatlands and protected forest plant species.

The Coalition calls for the renewal and strengthening of Presidential Instruction No. 10/2011 to be done promptly. The forest moratorium process must be based on achievements, transparency in the process, and broader and more effective public engagement as a necessity, so that the commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving Indonesia’s natural forests can be effectively implemented.

Contacts:

• Hikmat Soeriatanwijaya-Greenpeace 08111805394
• Yuyun Indradi-Greenpeace 081226161759
• Deddy Ratih-WALHI 081250807757

Notes:

(1)   The Indonesian Forest and Global Climate Rescue Coalition consists of Greenpeace, WALHI, AMAN, HuMa, ICEL, FWI, Sawit Watch, KpSHK, Bank Information Center, Civil Society Forum for Climate Justice, Solidaritas Perempuan, and Participatory Mapping Network.
(2)