TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IV Deputy Dedi Mulyadi strongly urges the government, in this case, the Environment and Forestry Ministry (KLHK), to guarantee customary forests in Indonesia with legal assurance.

He sees that corporates are able to easily obtain land areas while at the same time evicting the land of native people.

Dedi argues this has happened throughout the country’s history which looms a sense of uncertainty for the natives of the customary lands.

“Don’t turn it around, this country must protect those who are in need of protection,” he said in a meeting with Central Kalimantan provincial government on Thursday, November 7.

Dedi also calls for corporations that commit violations to not only be blacklisted from future affairs but also be imposed for a permanent shutdown.

The former Purwakarta Mayor says the KLHK ministry must identify the owners of corporations with a history of violations.

“They must not be allowed to emerge to do business again in mining and forestry areas especially after they are proven to be irresponsible [in conducting business],” Dedi Mulyadi said.

Dedi makes it clear that people are losing areas of agriculture due to the massive expansions from the mining and palm oil industry.

KARANA WW