Companies found guilty of forest fires in Indonesia would be blacklisted and could face criminal sanctions.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Panjaitan said President Joko Widodo has agreed with the proposal.
Speaking to reporters at the Istana on Wednesday (Sep 16), Luhut said five to 10 companies will be blacklisted. The companies were on a list compiled by authorities, which includes the names of company directors, commissioners and owners.
Luhut added that their business permits will be revoked, and that the government would punish companies which are found to be guilty of negligence.
“After the blacklist, there will be no more chances for the firms and businessmen and there is no chance for them to ever receive a plantation or forest clearing permit,” said Luhut.
Earlier, Luhut said that he was coordinating with the police and there would be no compromise on the issue.
“As a result of their actions, millions of people have breathing difficulties. I’m putting my reputation on the line to say this will not happen again,” said Luhut as quoted by news portal Detik.com
However, he did not disclose the names of the companies suspected of starting the fires. National police chief Badrodin Haiti is expected to announce the names of the companies soon.
General Badrodin had said that slash-and-burn cases were more difficult to solve than those involving drugs or terrorism.
“In terrorism and drugs, we have access to preliminary information, there are the links and networks (of offenders),” he said. “However, for forest fires, the problem is how we get this preliminary information fast, who started it.”
General Badrodin said hotspots can be detected with satellites, but often, it is not immediately clear whether the fire was started deliberately.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
