PEKANBARU – Eight companies that are members of the Surya Dumai Group, which is currently also known as First Resources, are strongly suspected of having planted oil palm in forest areas without a forest release permit with a total area of 75,378 hectares, and some of these lands do not have Cultivation Rights. (HGU) with a total area of 47,479 hectares.
These are the findings of the Center of Energy and Resources Indonesia (CERI) and the Indonesian Forest Destroyer Prevention Agency (LPPHI).
Based on these findings, CERI and LPPHI suspect that the Surya Dumai Group has at least violated Law No. 41 of 1999 on forestry, Law No. 18 of 2013 on Forestry Crimes, Law No. 5 of 1960 on Agrarian Principles, Government Regulation No. 40 of 1996 concerning the Right to Cultivate and Law Number 26 of 2007 concerning National Spatial Planning.
Regarding these findings, CERI Executive Director Yusri Usman has sent a written confirmation to Surya Dumai Group CEO Marthias Fangiono on June 25, 2022. However, until the deadline of June 28, 2022, Marthias did not provide any information regarding the findings.
“We have asked for confirmation and information about the obligations of all companies under the Surya Dumai Group banner regarding the permit for the release of forest areas and HGU from the past until the issuance of Government Regulation Number 23 of 2021 concerning Forestry Implementation and Government Regulation Number 24 of 2021 concerning Procedures for Imposing Sanctions. Administrative and Non-Tax State Revenue from Administrative Fines Deriving from the Forestry Sector. But until now they are silent, “said Yusri.
Yusri said that the confirmation letter numbered 08/EX//CERI/VI/2022 was issued in accordance with Law Number 14 of 2008 concerning Openness of Public Information and Government Regulation Number 34 of 2018 concerning Community Participation in the Eradication of Corruption.
Yusri said that his party had also sent copies of the confirmation letter to the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Minister of ATR/BPN, Director General of Gakkum KLHK and DLHK of Riau Province. (*)
