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Graft main problem in forestry
REDD+ and KPK suggested that the most important source of forestry problems was the absence of rule of law caused by corruption.
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Conserving forest: State forestry firm Perhutani officials prepare a large banner to promote tourism potentials at the Gunung Pancar Nature Tourism Park (TWA) in Bogor, West Java (JP/Theresia Sufa)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s pragmatic approach was reflected in his statement during the commemoration of Environmental Day in Jakarta.
Reports said Jokowi cited forest management in Sweden and Finland as models to learn from. He was quoted as saying, “I don’t think it’s difficult. Just copy it and it can be adjusted to the condition of Indonesia’s forests.” Apparently Jokowi perceives Indonesia’s forestry problems as merely technical, thus copying other countries’ forestry management framework will easily solve them.
Seventy-two years of independence is a long time to learn from many past failures. The government, often with support from the international community and many comparative studies, has introduced new laws and regulations, established and abolished institutions or conducted training upon training — but none seems to contribute to large-scale fundamental change. Deforestation, forest fires and conflicts are still common in around 70 percent of the Indonesian landmass considered forest areas.
The now defunct Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Agency (REDD+) and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suggested in 2013 that the most important source of forestry problems was the absence of rule of law caused by corruption among lawmakers and law enforcers at all levels of forest management; from planning, licensing to law enforcement.
Take the confusing 1999 Forestry Law, which allows the state to unilaterally claim forest areas without rigorously solving all competing claims. This has created massive uncertainty over tenure in forest areas.
A 2012 Constitutional Court decision tried to end this issue. Nevertheless, five years following this decision, the government has not yet issued a thorough mechanism to settle such claims, leaving competing claims unresolved and therefore continued uncertainty in forest areas.
Cantankerous licensing processes and obvious unfair land distribution have caused serious social conflicts. Out of almost 42 million hectares of forests permitted for commercial activities, only 1 percent is managed by local communities, while the rest goes to corporations, according to the KPK.
