Forum: Sustainable palm oil

Wed, 09/03/2008 10:38 AM  |  Reader's Forum

How can the Association of Indonesian Palm Oil Producers (Gapki) claim its member companies already comply with the Rountable On Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in their operations and yet reject a forest moratorium?

A significant criterion of the RSPO is that no virgin or high conservation value forest be converted after 2005. Even secondary forests like those that have been logged illegally can contain wildlife of high conservation value, like orangutans.

Gapki members obviously don't care about the RSPO criteria that protects critical habitats for their unique wildlife, and therefore will never be RSPO certified.
AMANDA ENRIGHT
Melbourne

Education Budget

It is great to hear that Indonesia will increase the education budget to 20 percent of the overall government spending in 2009.

As this will involve a large amount of money, all efforts should be taken to ensure that the funds are channeled judiciously with a focus on increasing the standard of education.

To improve the quality of education, a three-pronged approach could be considered, i.e. attracting qualified teachers (with good salary and retirement benefits), enhancing school infrastructure and increasing the number of schools.

Provinces must be mandated to deliver on all the above three parameters (particularly infrastructure). Many a time we have read in The Jakarta Post about class rooms collapsing due to rain, students doing their studies with rainwater in classrooms, classes taken outdoors or children forced to walk long distances to school.

Investment in better science laboratories, equipment and internet facilities should also be made so students receive the benefits directly.

Recently, when we traveled to Lombok, it was pleasing to see many schools operated within short distances.

A high literacy rate is the backbone of a country and it is heartening to note that the Government of RI have realized this by allocating a substantial increase toward education. Investment in education is analogous to planting trees -- both yield fruits in the long run.
MYTHREYI DESIKAN
Jakarta

Carbon trading project -- Aug. 29, p. 5

Just questioning whether KeeptheHabitat is a non-profit organization?

I noticed the name KeeptheHabitat Ltd seems like a profit making business. I am a bit confused. Could you clarify this?

I also noticed KeeptheHabitat deals with carbon trading and this is more of a business than a non profit organization's field of work.

Please provide me with a clear explanation of what your organization deals with.
AGUSTINUS
Jakarta

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