At a press conference in Jakarta on Monday, Secretary of the Directorate General of Sustainable Forest Management Saparis Soedarjanto clarified that the company currently holds only a Commitment Approval.
This approval was issued on March 28, 2023, following a recommendation from the Governor of West Sumatra and after the company passed administrative and technical verification.
“There are additional obligations that must be fulfilled before a permit can be issued, including boundary mapping, an environmental impact assessment (AMDAL), and payment of PBPH fees,” Saparis stated.
He emphasized that the Commitment Approval does not grant permission to utilize forest resources. Rather, it provides an opportunity for the applicant to meet the necessary requirements before being considered for a PBPH. If any of these obligations are not met, the permit will not be granted, and the Commitment Approval may be revoked.
The ministry also urged the public to report any related activities observed on site.
The Commitment Approval for PT SPS covers 20,710 hectares, equivalent to 33.66 percent of Sipora Island’s land area.
The proposed permit includes the utilization of natural forest timber, non-timber forest products, and environmental services.
Currently, PT SPS is still preparing environmental documentation under the authority of the Ministry of Environment.
Additionally, some of the proposed areas overlap with land undergoing recognition as customary forest, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forestry.
“We are aware of objections, and this is precisely why we have applied precautionary principles throughout the licensing process,” Saparis added.
At the same event, Head of Public Relations and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Forestry, Krisdianto, reiterated the call for public vigilance, stressing that PT SPS has no legal basis to operate.
“PT SPS does not yet have a permit. If violations such as illegal logging are found in the field, please report them to us,” Krisdianto said.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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