Forest encroachment investigated in Jambi

The Jakarta Post, 4 July 2006:

Forest encroachment investigated in Jambi

JAMBI, Jambi: The Jambi Prosecutor's Office is investigating the

encroachment of 2,275 hectares of state forest in the province by

plantation company Muaro Kahuripan Indonesia (Makin) Group.

The Jambi Forestry Office has declared four of the firm's directors

suspects in the case for illegally converting 790 hectares of forest

in Tungkal Ulu, West Tanjungjabung, and 1,485 ha of forest in Kumpeh,

Muarojambi, to oil palm plantations.

"They have violated the 1999 Forestry Law," Jambi Forestry Office

head Gatot Moeryanto said.

Gatot said the large-scale palm oil plantations at the two locations

were established in 2003, but authorities had not known about them

until fires swept through the areas between 2003 and 2005.

State investigators from the Forestry Ministry were previously

handling the case.

Yahya Rahman, who heads the prosecutor's office, said the case would

be thoroughly investigated, but the forestry office needed to provide

the necessary documents first. -- JP