Greenpeace activists hold up Pulp&Paper vessel

Jakarta Post 16 Jul 10;

PEKANBARU: Twenty-five Greenpeace activists blockaded a vessel loading thousands cubic meters of timber at a port operated by PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) at Teluk Binjai Village, Pelalawan Regency, Riau, on Thursday.

In a campaign on forest preservation, the protesters demanded the company stop its logging activities and the government step in.

The protesters unfurled a banner, calling for the urgent halt of environmentally unsound land use. Another banner reading "Stop Pencurian Masa Depan Kami" (Stop the robbery of our future), was hung on the pile of logs on the vessel.

Zulfahmi, the spokesperson of Greenpeace Asia, said their blockade of the vessel to prevent it from transporting timber to a pulp factory was held to protest Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan's policy issuing logging permits for the Kampar peat land.

"The newly issued permit contradicts the ministry's commitment to preserve peat lands," Zulfahmi said.

The blockade lasted only ten minutes as hundreds of police personnel stepped in to remove the banners and drive away protesters. - JP

Greenpeace activists intercept RAPP pontoon boat
Antara 15 Jul 10;

Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - Tens of Greenpeace activists intercepted a pontoon boat of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) loaded with logs at 6 am here on Thursday, a Greenpeace activist said.

The logs were suspected to come from natural forest trees cut down in the company`s Hutan Rawa Gambut concession in the Kampar Peninusla of Pelawan district, Riau province.

A total of 25 Greenpeace activists climbed up the 15-meter high pontoon wall.
According to Greenpeace Southeast Asia Campaigner, Zulfahmi, the action was staged as a protest against the policy of the forestry minister who had issued 17 permits for the company to cut trees in 2010.

"The permits covered a natural forest areas of 112 thousand hectares. It threatens the government forest moratorium plan to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation as agreed upon by with the Norwegian government," said Zulfahmi.