Nature Alert: KPK grills key lawmakers on forestry corruption

Thursday, 23 April 2009

KPK grills key lawmakers on forestry corruption

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 04/23/2009 10:21 AM | National

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is questioning three lawmakers of the House of Representatives' Commission IV for Forestry, Fisheries, and Agriculture in relation to a bribery case centered on the conversion of 600 hectares of a protected forest.

Johan Budi, KPK spokesman, told journalist that the anti-graft body questioned on Thursday, Commission IV chairman Ishartanto of the National Awakening Party (PKB), and commission members Suswono and Syamsu Hilal, both of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

“The lawmakers are questioned as witness for suspect SO,” he said.

KPK had named former South Sumatra governor Syahrial Oesman a suspect for allegedly asking businessman Chandra Antonio Tan to provide Rp 5 billion (US$417,536) to members of the to speed the approval of the forest conversion in Banyuasin, South Sumatra.

The Rp 5 billion was later paid in two installments. The first payment was made in October 2006 by Chandra, who handed over Rp 2.5 billion in traveler's checks to legislator Sarjan Tahir at the House.

Of that amount, Sarjan took Rp 150 million, Yusuf Erwin Faishal Rp 275 million, Hilman Indra Rp 175 million, Azwar Chesputra Rp 325 million, and Fachri Andi Leluasa Rp 175 million, while several other legislators received between Rp 25 million and Rp 170 million.

The second installment was made in June 2007 at a hotel in Jakarta.

This time, Sarjan took Rp 200 million for himself, Yusuf took Rp 500 million, Hilman Rp 260 million, Azwar Rp 125 million, Fachri Rp 235 million. Several other legislators also took a share of the money.

Yusuf is standing trial at the Corruption Court for his role, while Sarjan and legislator Al Amin Nur Nasution, who received Rp 5 million, were sentenced to eight and four years in prison, respectively.

Chandra is also standing trial for bribing the House members. (dre)

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/04/23/kpk-grills-key-lawmakers-forestry-corruption.html

Hall of Shame for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Palm Oil Industry.

Nothing can prepare one for the sight of the systematic extermination of orangutans by the government of Indonesia.

Look at the photos and news articles on these pages in the context of a statement the President made to the media on 10th December 2007.

“In the last 35 years about 50,000 orangutans are estimated to have been lost as their habitats shrank. If this continues, this majestic creature will likely face extinction by 2050,” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the launch of an orangutan conservation plan at the climate talks in Bali.

“The fate of the orangutan is a subject that goes to the heart of sustainable forests … To save the orangutan we have to save the forest.”

Statements like these are most welcome, but unless backed up by action, such words fall on deaf ears within the Ministry of Forestry....who are busy granting licences to cut down the very forests the President says they should protect!

When you think you are to busy to help, please could you reflect for a moment on .........

The following extract refers to environmental problems in general. I just hope you find it as thought provoking and relevant to orangutans as I have.

"This is such a shocking and unpalatable fact that most people deny it, or they just don't want to think about it. They believe as individuals, they can do little about it, so push it to the back of their minds. But I can't do that.

When something has to be done, we need to do it. It doesn't matter how big the challenge is or how hard the solution; if I know something is wrong, and I am in a position to help, I will do my best to make it right." Duncan Bannatyne, successful British businessman.