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Maluku councilor accuses company of abusing permit in disputed Sabuai forest
A member of the Maluku Legislative Council has called on local authorities not to renew a permit for a logging company in Eastern Seram regency, as the Sabuai indigenous people have voiced objections to the company operating in a forest they claim to have customary rights to.
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Villagers of Sabuai in Maluku’s Eastern Seram regency stage a protest on Feb. 17 against a company operating in a forest they claim customary rights over. (Courtesy of/Kaleb Yamarua)
A member of the Maluku Legislative Council has called on local authorities not to renew a permit for a logging company in Eastern Seram regency, as the Sabuai indigenous people have voiced objections to the company operating in a forest they claim to have customary rights to.
"I don’t know about fellow councilors, but I have proposed to the Maluku Forestry Agency not to renew its timber exploitation permit [IPK]. It’s better not to,” councilor Aziz hentihu told reporters recently.
He accused the company -- Sumber Berkat Makmur -- of abusing its nutmeg plantation permit, which was granted by the regency of Eastern Seram a few years ago, to secure the timber exploitation permit and conduct unlawful logging in Sabuai. The timber exploitation permit would expire this month.
The company’s activities in the Sabuai forest have run up against protest from Sabuai customary village members who say the logging is illegal.
The legislative council has visited the disputed site and promised to return to the site in the near future for another inspection, which, Aziz said, aimed “to ensure the company carries out its operations [lawfully].”
"We have asked the forestry agency to monitor the forest," Aziz said.
A meeting between council members and representatives of the company last Tuesday concluded with the councilors urging the company to carry out its operations in line with the nutmeg plantation permit it has, according to councilor Saudah T. Tethool.
