Anton Hermansyah The Jakarta Post 28 Feb 18;
The government is planning to revise a 2017 presidential regulation on forest moratorium to make way for the construction of military installations.
Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said on Wednesday the regulation stipulated that new licenses for developments in primary forests and peat lands could only be issued for the development of the government’s strategic projects, but it was unclear if military-related developments were included.
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has requested that the regulation be revised.
"I think the request is reasonable, because defense-related matters such as building a military airport in the forest are also strategic projects," she said at the Presidential Palace, adding that she would study the request.
The forest moratorium regulation was first issued in 2011 under the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration. It has been extended every two years, with the latest extension made by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in June last year.
"I will study the proposed revision with my team," Siti said. (ahw)
