Greenpeace hails minister for actions against RAPP

The Jakarta Post   |  Thu, 11/19/2009 5:26 PM  |  National

International environmental group Greenpeace hailed on Thursday Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan for his actions against Southeast Asia’s biggest pulp producer PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper.

“The minister has taken the right measures,” Greenpeace’s Southeast Asia campaigner Bustar Maitar said as quoted by Antara in the Riau capital of Pekanbaru.

Zulkifli said after a hearing at the House of Representatives on Wednesday night that he had asked RAPP to suspend all activities in peatland forest. The minister also promised to evaluate operational permits granted to RAPP and conduct a post-audit on the company.

RAPP has secured approval from both Riau Governor Rusli Zainal and then forestry minister Malam Sambat Kaban, but Zulkifli said he would find out if irregularities occurred in the process.

Greenpeace activists rallied at RAPP operational area in Pelalawan on Tuesday to force the company to stop exploitation of peatland forest. Local police dissolved the rally, arresting 22 Greenpeace activists for illegal trespassing. The immigration authorities later deported 13 other activists from foreign countries due to visa violations.

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