TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Environment NGOs Transformation for Justice (TuK) Indonesia and Profundo released a research result that shows palm oil tycoons have control over 10 million hectares of oil palm plantation lands in Indonesia. The NGOs believe that the extraordinary land expansion will trigger serious environmetal and social problems.
“The group of companies are reigned by 29 tycoons whose holding-companies registered at the stock exchange markets, either in Indonesia or overseas,” said Rahmawati Retno Winarni, the Program Director of TuK Indonesia on Friday, February 13.
Profundo, an economy research institution based in Amsterdam recorded the growth of palm oil plantation expansion in Indonesia.
“In five years it grows 35 percent,” said Profundo Director Jan Willem van Gelder.
“The growth is averagely 520,000 hectare per year or as large as Bali island.”
Executive Director of TuK Indonesia Norman Jiwan said problems may arise from the land conversion into palm plantation. Endangered and protected animals will be threatened and the greenhouse gases may rise due to more peatlands. Residents may also lose access to the lands that is crucial for their lives.
UNTUNG WIDYANTO
