Public Urged to Escort Orangutan Slaughter Case in Kalimantan

TEMPO.CO, Palangkaraya - Chief Executive Officer of The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Jamartin Sihite, urged the public to keep tabs on the orangutan slaughter case that happened in a palm oil plantation at Tumbang Puroh Village, Central Kalimantan. The slaughter proves that a conflict has occurred between humans and orangutans since 10 of the suspects were workers at the plantation.

“We extremely condemn the slaughter of one adult orangutan by 10 palm oil workers in Kapuas, Central Kalimantan. This tragedy adds to the long list of conflicts that spark between human and orangutan in palm oil plantation areas,” said Jamartin on Thursday, February 16, 2017.

Last Tuesday, Kapuas Police received information of an orangutan slaughter. A special team was formed and immediately sent to the location. Lead by Head of Kapuas Police, Jukiman Situmorang, the special team arrested 10 employees of the palm oil company.

Jamartin appreciates the quick response by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the team from Kapuas Police Resort who immediately acted upon receiving the information.

According to him, it is essential for everyone to understand that cases like this often end without any clear result followed by its news that diminishes in the midst of the nation’s current situation.

“Therefore, we urge every stakeholder, including general public and observers, to continue escorting the legal process against the suspects until it’s completely done.” he said.

Jamartin added that not only are orangutans protected by the Law, they are also clearly not animals that are fit to consume, this is why the slaughter of the orangutan followed by consuming is considered to be a very vile act and shows human’s lack of respect for the environment and its content.

KARANA WW