Aware of the fact that peat field-fires can last months, Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan refuses to predict when the fires will be extinguished. “Right now, there are hotspots in about 50 to 60 points,” he said. “But they cannot be made as a yardstick.” The windy dry season can come back to rekindle the flames.
Environmental Minister Balthasar Kambuaya accused palm oil plantations owned by eight Malaysian companies of being the cause of the fires. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, head of the Presidential Task Force on Development Management and Monitoring (UKP4) named conglomerates Sinar mas and Raja Garuda Mas as equally responsible for the forest fires.
Minister Zulkifli, who is a member of the National Mandate Party (PAN), however, puts the blame on the people’s slash and burn tradition when clearing land. He recently spoke with Tempo reporters Retno Sulistyowati and Sorta Tobing last Thursday.
Below is part of the interview. The full version is available on print in this week's edition of Tempo English (July 3-10).
What did the President recommend to manage the forest fires?
We have been having continuous meetings to evaluate the situation. Extinguishing peatland fires is not easy. From the air, we have used TNI airplanes to produce artificial rain. But this method can only work if there are clouds. Otherwise, we use water bomb.
What do you think are the cause of these fires?
Actually, we – government researchers -- only monitor the forests. So, in the case of fires in Riau, where are they coming from? From agricultural land, palm oil plantations and land clearances. Nothing to do with forests. But because we were late in anticipating the fires before the strong winds came, everything got in the way, including industrial forests and natural forests. In Dumai, the fires covered just about everything.
UKP4 chief, Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said there were flames inside privately-owned forests.
Owners of plantations are not likely to start fires. The smallest piece if timber would be gathered to produce paper.
What about companies clearing new land?
No new land clearances are allowed in forest concession areas. We have imposed a moratorium, and this is our third year.
Forest fires happen every year. Aren’t we monitoring them?
I admit it. It’s like the annual floods in Jakarta, right? It’s about our culture. Why does it flood every year? Because upstream, there are no more forest covers against the rain, the rivers have narrowed because of massive construction around them and people throw their trash everywhere. In Riau? Like in my village in Sumatra, garbage is removed by burning. After every harvest, the remaining stems and the rice fields are also burnt. So, when it happens during the dry season, of course there will be fires.
Police investigating the fires say the villagers have admitted to starting them because they were pressured by certain parties.
For those who have been negligent, we have asked to police to take firm action against them. We must be serious. A small thing like burning an old tire, can lead to thousands of hectares of lost land.
Have you tried to make the forest concession (HTI) companies accountable?
They must be accountable if they are proven to have caused the fires. That is why I have asked the companies to unite. But if our companies are continuously attacked, like 200 Indonesian palm oil companies blamed for the fires, just imagine. Our palm oil plantations will be finished. As it is, their trees are burnt by the fire and they go bankrupt. That I don’t approve.
So they cannot be held accountable?
They must be. But my point is: shouldn’t companies be allowed to progress? They are tax payers, right? But when they come under suspicion from international parties, we must defend them, right?
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