Jakarta (Greeners) – Green activists under #Vote4Forest slammed majority of law makers who have been pushing to pass palm oil bill arguing that it will only profit palm oil companies.

The bill is currently included in the National Legislation Priority program 2019.

Teguh Surya, director of Madani Berkelanjutan Foundation, said that lawmakers trying to pass the palm oil bill is linked with high ranking political party officials with palm oil industry, either ownership or relationship.

“Despite of the problematic and arguments, along with rejection from the government, twice, lawmakers insisted to discuss about the palm oil bill. Even in the 2019 Prolegnas, this bill was included in the discussion under the pretense to protect national interests,” said Surya in Jakarta on Wednesday (10/04/2019).

READ ALSO: Palm Oil Bill Violates Human Rights of Farmers 

Furthermore, he said that palm oil industry in Indonesia is controlled by non-Indonesians conglomerates with low compliance to pay taxes.

Based on data from the anti corruption commission or KPK between 2015-19, taxes from palm oil dropped drastically with only individual tax reaches 6.3 percent.

Furthermore, he also criticizes tax directorate general for giving awards to a palm oil business man for tax compliance, last month.

Based on the Statistic Agency in 2017, at least 91 percent out of 1,799 palm oil plantation companies in Indonesia is large scale plantation owned by private companies.

“Our money being laundered for personal interests but they want to discuss on this mediocre bill of palm oil. Other bills like indigenous peoples and conservation to tackle issues and obviously urgent are being sidelined. We see the government seems to lose its orientation, which one is for the people and the one for the party,” he said.

READ ALSO: ISPO and RSPO Certifications for Indonesia’s Sustainable Oil Palm Industry 

Based on the assessment from #Vote4Forest coalition on lawmakers’ political track records for 2014-19, it is reveals that 30 lawmakers are actively engage in the palm oil bill discussion, 28 out of the number are running again for the 2019 election.

From 28 members, 13 of them are coming from regions where large palm oil corporations are having conflicts with different frequencies.

“The attitude of DPR Legislation Council on palm oil bill is not entirely determined whether there’s large scale palm oil corporation and conflicts in the voting regions. However, it is also being influenced by the political party that supports them and in connection with political party funding from large palm oil corporations or client patron owned by these legislative council members,” said Adrian Putra of WikiDPR, a watchdog organization of DPR.

The research also shows 53 percent of council members is indicated to support the bill to be passed, 36 percent neutral or does not show partisanship and 11 percent rejects to further discussion.

Tracking the relation and ownership of palm oil business in the political party structure involved in the palm oil bill, at least six parties with high ranking officials are identified to have relations with palm oil business. In addition, four fractions with the tendency to support the bill are, — Golkar, PDIP, Nasdem and Hanura –.

Putra said that several high-ranking officials own or have relations with palm oil industry.

“The political tie will keep on pushing to accommodate business interests in the regulation produced by legislation, including this bill. Even Golkar party and PDIP are the promoters of palm oil bill,” he said.

Rahayu Saraswati, member of Commission VIII and BKSAP 2014-19, said that nearly all decisions are high levels, such as leader of the party, fraction leader, fraction secretary, or commission leader. It is not often decisions making based on individuals or members of legislation.

“Talking about decision making process, so for instance there are friends of people want to lobby a policy, they will lobby leader of parties or head of fraction and secretary of fraction. Head of fraction will represent the party’s decision and it is impossible for the secretary to be against it. Head of fraction will also decide a regulation whether to be continued or else. So, individuals in DPR are mere political vehicles, the decision makers are the leaders,” said Saraswati.

Report by Dewi Purningsih

Jakarta (Greeners) – After slammed for its potential human rights violation against palm oil farmers, civil societies contested that the palm oil bill overlapping with existing constitution and laws.

Sandrayati Moniaga, commissioner of Human Rights National Commission, said that the palm oil bill will add new problems, including overlapping policies with environment and natural resources regulations.

Furthermore, Moniaga said the bill is not aiming for people’s welfare or palm oil farmers because it will only profit corporation. The bill, she added, is not the solution for palm oil issues in the field.

“The palm oil bill will not be a priority according to the Decree of People’s Consultative Assembly issued in 2001 on agrarian reform and natural resources management, there is no recommendation to add sectoral laws, especially on specific species. Indonesia has diverse ecosystem, without accurate calculation, who’s benefiting from the palm oil bill,” she said in Jakarta on Wednesday (10/04/2019).

READ ALSO: Indonesian Government Prepares to Boycott European Products Following Heated Relationships Over Palm Oil 

She said that palm oil conflicts have close relations with human rights violations.

Based on data between 2014-15, five out of 40 communities investigated are involved with palm oil related conflicts.
Referring to the bill, she added, there are no clauses supporting the communities or farmers in the conflicts.

“Hence, urgent matters now in Human Rights National Commissions about palm oil is to deal with conflicts. As long as Indonesia does not find solution to the conflicts, comprehensively, then we will be burdened by conflicts, 90 percent of indigenous peoples is not acknowledged,” she said. “The bill also poses the questions on whether it is in line with constitutions because policies need to be based on human rights and environment protection. Without those, there will be no sustainability and does not reflect Indonesia’s diverse culture, customary laws, and ecosystem.”

READ ALSO: WALHI Blasted Luhut Pandjaitan’s Statement to Pull from Paris Agreement for Palm Oil Negotiation 

Meanwhile, Andi Muttaqien deputy director for advocacy of The Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) urged to stop the bill as it will not beneficial for people and farmers. Muttaqien said that the bill has potential to create conflicts of norms as the substance has already been regulated in the plantation, commerce, and environmental protection and management laws.

Furthermore, the bill provide clemency for corporate crimes, meanwhile lack of protection to independent farmers and plantation workers. He also underlined the bill will worsen the land conflicts in palm oil plantation sector and threaten forests and peatlands.

“From the total 105 clauses in the bill, only one clause stated the word “farmer”. It indicates that the bill is not about farmers’ welfare but it’s the other way around,” he said.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Green groups blasted Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Issues, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan’s latest threat to pull from Paris Agreement if European Union continue with their plans to reduce palm oil for renewable transportation fuel, stating the statement as ‘reckless’ for overstepping presidential decree.

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo had committed to ratify Paris Agreement during the 2015 Climate Conference in Paris, France. The decision was then legalized after House of Representatives ratified Paris Agreement under the law issued in 2016.

Based on Paris Agreement, Indonesia is committed to reduce 29 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and 41 percent with international help by 2030.

READ ALSO: Indonesia Faces Challenges for Its Organic Fuel Implementation 

Yuyun Harmono, campaign manager of climate justice for Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), said that the president’s commitment to reduce emissions on global level is irrefutable for his ministers. On the other side, it shows contradictory and no coordination among government agencies.

Harmono said president should reprimand Coordinating Minister Luhut for his statement.

“Luhut’s statement is very reckless because it is not based on much considerations and is wrong. As Coordinating Minister for Maritime Issues, he should ensure that people will not affected by climate change, especially those living in coastal areas because that’s under maritime sector. Not like this, threatening to pull from Paris Agreement and there’s an indication to defend the interests of palm oil corporation,” he said in Jakarta on Friday (29/03/2019).

READ ALSO: ISPO and RSPO Certifications for Indonesia’s Sustainable Oil Palm Industry 

European Union had issued criteria determining which commodities destroying forests and environment.

This effort is part of new law in EU to increase new renewable to 32 percent by 2030. EU Commission concluded that 45 percent of palm oil expansion in 2008 caused forest destruction and release greenhouse gas emissions.

“When European Union introduced renewable energy policy to reduce emissions in Europe, we told that you [EU] gave incentives to environmental destroyers in palm oil producers because the companies see opportunities in EU for palm oil as biofuel and massive expansion,” he said. “As proof, there was massive forest and land fires in 2015 with millions of hectares burned down. Consequently, under this consideration, EU was aware and revise [the law]. This revision is making palm oil companies experience major losses.”

Furthermore, he said that because of this revision, UE finally considering to use palm oil from independent small holders [farmers] instead of companies, as the lands managed are no more than two hectares and have rights on lands. To support this decision, Indonesia should have been supporting through agrarian reform program.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Jakarta (Greeners) – After issuing forest and peatlands moratorium, the government is planning to ban new permits on oil palm and mining concessions.

On May 13, under a presidential instruction, the government ban all new permits on primary forests and peatlands areas.

“There will be oil palm moratorium and mining moratorium,” said President Jokowi at the launch of National Movement on Plants and Wild Animals protection in conjunction with World Forest Day, in Karya Island of Thousand Islands, Jakarta, on Thursday (14/4).

President Jokowi added that current oil palm plantations has been sufficient and need to increase its productivity by maximizing the potentials. Similar to mining, President would not give more permits to companies to open lands.

“Current lands, as long as planted with proper seeds, are enough. It can even double the production. If this is properly done, then it can increase productivity,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tofan Mahdi, spokesman of Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), said they could not provide any comment. Mahdi stated that GAPKI continued to communicate with ministry of agriculture, ministry of environment and forestry, and presidential office, to get detailed information on the plan.

“What we can say is oil palm is strategic industry for contributing at least US$ 19 billion in 2015 which is far higher than oil and gas with only US$ 12 billion,” he added.

Furthermore, Indonesia is world’s largest crude palm oil producer with 31.5 million ton in 2015 and provide jobs for six million people, especially on rural areas.

“President Jokowi had stated that oil palm plantation is national strategic sector and must be maintained. We will monitor the development related to the president’s statement,” he said.

Reports by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was reported to be facing deportation from Director General of Immigration of Legal and Human Rights Ministry, Ronny F. Sompie, a few days earlier.

It came after the immigration office suspected Leonardo was conducting black campaign attacking palm oil plantation while he visited Leuser National Park, Aceh, on Sunday (27/3).

Rudi Putra, Leuser Conservation Forum Advisor, clarified the news stating that the Best Actor of 2016 Oscar came as a tourist to the site.

DiCaprio went to see elephants in East Aceh, orangutan quarantine in North Sumatra and Ketambe Research Station in Southeast Aceh.

“He did not go to other places. Only those places,” said Rudi who accompanied Dicaprio during his short visit to the national park.

On black campaign against palm oil companies, Rudi argued that it was public knowledge that oil palm plantations expansions have been ravaging what’s left of Indonesian forests.

The evidences, he added, can be seen in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua where forests have been converted into oil palm plantation, either legally or illegally.

“The government cannot hide that fact. It is not just Leonardo but lots of people have been voicing the same concern. This is not black campaign but it is what happens,” he said.

Furthermore, Rudi underlined that it did not mean that they were anti oil palm. However, people, NGOs, and Leonardo hoped that oil palm would not destroy forest and its ecosystems. The situation, he added, was critical in Leuser National Park and needed to be saved.

“I don’t know what the government official is thinking. To compare oil palm against other vegetable oils is not even worth the try. I think with abundant production, Indonesia can start build the industry not instead of land expansion to fulfill CPO export,” he said.

Previously, Ronny F Sompie stated that Leonardo DiCaprio had issued statement which discredited Indonesia’s government and subjected to be deported as he was still in the country and the immigration had the right to deport him.

Ronny said that the deportation was in accordance with the 2011 Law on Immigration.

DiCaprio arrived at Kualanamu Airport from Japan, on Saturday (26/3), around 6.45 am using private jet. At 10 am, DiCaprio and his group flew to Leuser National Park with helicopter. He returned to Medan and stayed at JW Marriott Hotel. At 5.05 pm, the group left Kualanamu Airport for Palau.

On his Instagram account, DiCaprio wrote his disappointment with oil palm plantation expansion resulted in forest damages and threatened endangered animals existence, such as Sumatran elephant.

His statement received protest from Acehnese oil palm bussinesman, Asmar Arsyad.

“Leonardo hit the wrong target. He ought to campaign for environment in the Amazon forest against soy plantation,” he said.

Report by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Pemerintah Republik Indonesia dan Pemerintah Malaysia sepakat menolak kebijakan Pemerintah Prancis yang akan menaikan pajak impor minyak sawit (CPO) dan produk turunannya. Kesepakatan tersebut ditandai dengan penandatangan prasasti Sekretariat Council of Palm Oil Producion Countries (CPOPC) yang dilakukan oleh Menteri Koordinator Kemaritiman dan Sumber Daya Rizal Ramli dan Menteri Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi Malaysia Dt.Amar Douglas Unggah Embas.

Dalam keterangan resminya, Rizal Ramli mengatakan bahwa kebijakan Perancis tersebut telah menyalahi aturan main dalam Organisasi Perdagangan Dunia (WTO). Rizal yang juga duduk sebagai Ketua Dewan Pengarah CPOPC (Dewan Negara-negara Produsen Kelapa Sawit dunia) bahkan menyatakan rencana Prancis tersebut bisa membunuh petani kelapa sawit gurem di Indonesia dan Malaysia karena Indonesia dan Malaysia adalah produsen 85% minyak sawit dunia.

“Pajak Impor CPO itu di Prancis dikenal sebagai “pajak Nutella”, karena merek selai ini memakai CPO sebagai bahan utamanya. Sudah seharusnya Prancis memerhatikan nasib 2 juta petani kelapa sawit kecil di Indonesia dan 400.000 di Malaysia. Sangat tidak adil bila kenaikan pajak impor CPO Prancis dimaksudkan untuk meliput jaminan sosial rakyat Prancis,” tuturnya, Jakarta, Sabtu (06/01).

Menurut mantan Menteri Koordinator Perekonomian era Presiden Abdurrahman Wahid ini pula, kebijakan pajak progresif untuk semua produk berbasis minyak kelapa sawit tersebut akan sangat berpotensi merenggangkan hubungan diplomatik antara Indonesia dan Perancis.

Dalam rancangan amandemen Undang-Undang Nomor 367 tentang Keanekaragaman Hayati yang berlaku di Perancis, terusnya, pajak progresif untuk produksi sawit dimulai pada tahun 2017. Prancis akan mengenakan pajak impor CPO sebesar 300 euro/ton pada 2017, 500 euro/ton pada 2018, 700 euro/ton pada 2019, dan naik lagi menjadi 900 Euro pada 2020.

Kebijakan itu, lanjutnya, sangatlah aneh karena pajak tersebut tidak berlaku pada biji rapa, bunga matahari, dan kedelai atau minyak nabati yang diproduksi di Perancis. Bahkan, RUU tersebut juga mencantumkan adanya tambahan bea masuk sebesar 3,8 persen untuk minyak kelapa sawit yang digunakan untuk produk makanan dan 4,6 persen untuk minyak inti kelapa sawit atau kernel.

“Sikap sangat tidak bersahabat ini seperti sengaja ingin mematikan industri sawit Indonesia,” kata Rizal.

Datok Sri Douglas Uggah Embas juga menyatakan bahwa Malaysia sudah melayangkan nota protes resmi terkait rencana kenaikan pajak impor CPO tersebut. Prancis hanya beralasan, kebun kelapa sawit merusak lingkungan.

“Padahal CPO justru mengurangi emisi karbon jika bahan bakar minyak berbasis fosil diganti minyak berbahan baku nabati,” tuturnya.

Sebagai informasi, Indonesia adalah produsen minyak sawit terbesar di dunia yang mengekspor 4,6 juta ton minyak sawit mentah dan olahan tahun lalu ke Eropa, termasuk Perancis. Rencana penetapan pajak impor CPO Prancis sendiri terdapat dalam rancangan amandemen Undang-undang No. 367 tentang Keanekaragaman Hayati yang diputuskan senat (majelis tinggi) Prancis pada 21 Januari lalu. Dalam RUU tersebut, disematkan pajak progresif untuk produk sawit yang mulai berlaku pada 2017.

RUU Pajak impor CPO Prancis pernah diusulkan pada 2012, namun RUU tersebut ditolak parlemen pada 2013. RUU yang digagas oleh senator Yves Daudigny itu lebih dikenal sebagai “pajak Nutella” di Prancis, karena selai bermerek Nutella mengunakan minyak sawit sebagai bahan baku utamanya.

Dalam situsnya, Nutella menyatakan tetap mendukung penggunaan minyak sawit yang ramah lingkungan. Per kapita penduduk Prancis rata-rata mengonsumsi 2 kilogram minyak sawit dan secara keseluruhan 126.000 ton/tahun. Jika pajak impor CPO dinaikkan higga tiga ratus persen, plot jaminan kesehatan Prancis akan bertambah 40 juta Euro.

Penulis: Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Recent forest fires in Indonesia is the result of a bad marriage between organized corporate crime and structured negligence from the government, blasted Greenpeace Indonesia.

The statement was released by forest campaigner of Greenpeace Indonesia Teguh Surya at a discussion “Southeast Asia’s Haze Problems: Integrating Local, National and Regional Approaches”, in Jakarta.

Teguh said lots of companies complained in the media that they suffered losses too with burned lands and acacia and other assets.

However, in reality, he had not seen any good intentions from business people to deal with this land and forest fires for the past 18 years.

“Even based on the audit conducted by UKP4 with REDD+ agency and Riau government in 2013-2014 revealed that companies have done little effort, as so was the government, said Teguh, in Jakarta, on Wednesday (28/10).

Meanwhile, structural negligence by government was through permit issuance to convert peatlands and dried them for two decades.

These permits were given even before Indonesia owned clear map on peatlands.

“We only have indicative maps. How is it possible to issue permits without any references,” he added.

After the 2014 Government Regulation on Peatlands Protection and Management was issued, only then that the government had instructed to map out peatlands areas within two years time. After two years, the map of protected area for peatlands ecosystem must be finalized.

“So, 21 million hectares of peatlands were managed or issued its permits to be converted then dried to be planted palm oil and timber concessions. There was no clear map for those years. Even after disaster occurred every year, there was never any comprehensive evaluation on those permits,” he said.

Secondly, he said that many civilians were arrested under claims “deliberately burned” or “accidentally burned”.

Teguh said that he was curious as lands owned by those allegedly and caught red handed were then given permits.

He cited a case in Nyaru Menteng where Head of Data Information and spokesman of National Agency for Disaster Management Sutopo Purwo Nugroho uploaded picture of burned lands planted with palm oil.

“From our analysis, there has been no good intention from government to solve this problem,” he said.

Report by Danny Kosasih