NGOs coalition lodges corruption cases against 27 pulp suppliers

A coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations lodged corruption cases involving 27 forestry companies in Riau to anti-corruption commission (KPK) in Jakarta Tuesday, media reports said. Coalition of Anti-Forest Mafia (Koalisi Anti-Mafia Hutan/KAMH) filed 27 pulpwood suppliers associated to Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) and Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) for allegedly bribing Riau government officials for issuing licenses in period of 2002-2006.

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“We hope KPK to be more progressive in scrutinizing corporations involved in Riau forestry corruption as they also obtained licenses which caused State losses and forest ecosystem destruction in the province,” said Evan Sembiring from Walhi Riau, one member of coalition.

The KAMH coalition consists of WALHI, Jikalahari, Riau Corruption Trial, Indonesia Corruption Watch, Yayasan Auriga, YLBHI, Transparency International Indonesia, IWGFF, ELSAM, and Indonesia Legal Roundtable.

Evan Sembiring said, KPK could bring corporates to the justice as suspects of corruption as the cases of officials had been definitely penalized by the Law. The alleged companies could be sanctioned with imprisonment of their management, fined and license annulment.

EoF learns that forestry-related corruption cases in Riau had punished six officials to jail in the province including district heads, forestry service heads and governor. However, none of companies involved in the corruption are prosecuted despite they are partners in crime as final decision announced by judges saying the defendants found guilty in collaborating with companies to cause losses to State.

Evan Sembiring said 7 of 27 companies allegedly bribed former Indragiri Hilir district Rusli Zainal and former Indragiri Hulu district head Tamsir Rachman in getting logging licenses of 120,745 hectares forest in 2002-2006 that converted into pulpwood plantation. They are PT. Artelindo Wirautama, PT. Citra Sumber Sejahtera, PT. Bukit Batabuh Sei Indah, PT. Mitra Kembang Selaras, PT. Sumber Maswana Lestari, PT Bina Duta Laksana, and PT Riau Indo Agropalma.

In Siak and Pelalawan districts, majority of 27 companies, have allegedly bribed Arwin A.S., Azmun Jaafar, Asral Rachman, Syuhada Tasman, Burhanuddin Husin, and Rusli Zainal as then Governor in getting logging licenses. All six officials have been sentenced by the Anti-corruption Court ranging from 4 and half year to 14 year imprisonment

Evan Sembiring said, KPK could bring corporates to the justice as suspects of corruption as the cases of officials had been definitely penalized by the Law. The alleged companies could be sanctioned with imprisonment of their management, fined and license annulment.

The 27 companies that sued by the NGOs coalition are: PT Artelindo Wiratama, PT Citra Sumber Sejahtera, PT Bukit Batabuh Sei Indah, PT Mitra Kembang Selaras, PT Sumber Maswana Lestari, PT Bina Duta Laksana, PT Riau Indo Agropalma, PT Merbau Pelalawan Lestari, PT Selaras Abadi Utama, PT Uniseraya, CV Tuah Negeri, CV Mutiara Lestari, CV Putri Lindung Bulan, PT Mitra Tani Nusa Sejati, PT Rimba Mutiara Permai, CV Bhakti Praja Mulia, PT Triomas FDI, PT Satria Perkasa Agung, PT Mitra Hutani Jaya, CV Alam Lestari, PT Madukoro, CV Harapan Jaya, PT Bina Daya Bintara, PT Seraya Sumber Lestari, PT Balai Kayang Mandiri, PT Rimba Mandau Lestari, and PT National Timber Forest.