TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - WWF Indonesia assessed that a strong political commitment is needed in implementing a sustainable way to manage palm oil plantation, which has been done in Sintang, West Kalimantan.

“If we want to push for a sustainable palm oil management that is well executed, one of the factors and the key is political leadership,” said WWF Indonesia’s Sustainable Palm Oil Program Manager Putra Agung today, Nov. 22, at Sintang.

Such political commitment was shown by Sintang Regent Jarot Winarno who implemented several regulations to further support a sustainable palm oil field management in order to balance its economic aspect, conservation, and socio-culture.

One of the sustainable regulations implemented in the region is the Regent Decree No.57/2018 that oversees and provides a guideline on how local people should open up new palm oil fields and to also accommodate customary interests.

Sintang is one of three regions in Indonesia involved and partnered with WWF Indonesia for a partnership project and funded by Global Environment Facility through the UNDP.

“It’s to make a regional leader to not only commit but participate first hand to guarantee that a product or commodity produced within the jurisdiction is free from irresponsible practices, which the market is really hoping for,” said Agung.

ANTARA