Tb. Arie Rukmantara, The Jakarta Post
The government has promised to take tough action against recalcitrant timber companies operating in Papua.
Two Cabinet ministers, tasked with safeguarding the country's environment, said they would seriously follow up reports by Greenpeace that several logging companies operating in Papua had violated environmental laws and ravaged its forests.
""We will carry out a 'total audit' of these companies,"" Kaban told the media after attending a commemoration of Earth Day in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Saturday.
Last week, Greenpeace demanded that the government investigate three companies -- PT Kayu Lapis Indonesia, PT Wapuga Mutiara Timber and PT Bina Kenit Jaya -- for allegedly buying timber from ""untraceable"" sources, as well as harvesting wood outside their concessions, believed to have been illegally cut.
The allegations are based on evidence compiled during the group's one-month mission in Papua as part of its global campaign to stop deforestation in the region.
State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar also promised to investigate.
""We will take them to court if we have sufficient evidence the companies have breached the law,"" he said.
Under the law on the environment, anyone who pollutes or harms the environment faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment or a Rp 750 million (US$82,000) fine.
However, Kaban rejected Greenpeace's demand for a logging moratorium in Papau, arguing that it would drag the government into legal disputes with timber companies.
""We can only halt the operations of companies that have violated regulations.""
Greenpeace Southeast Asia Forest Campaigner Hapsoro welcomed the government's plan but said he was unhappy its moratorium proposal was rejected.
""The government is the one that issues the concessions. That means that they also have the right to revoke the permits,"" he told The Jakarta Post.
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