Anggta DPR Asks Local Governments To Proactively Monitor Forest Abuse: Report And Take Action!

JAKARTA - DPR Commission II member Mohammad Toha asked regional heads and all regional government officials to be more proactive in supervising including data collection, monitoring, and reporting any allegations of misuse of forest areas and the environment in their respective areas.

This was said by Toha in response to floods and landslides in Aceh-Sumatra which were considered the result of forest destruction, especially the large number of logs carried away by the flood currents.

He emphasized that the most effective supervision can only be carried out by local governments because they understand the dynamics in the field directly.

Toha explained that most of the permits related to the use of forest areas were issued by the central government, but the realization of activities in the field could not be separated from the role and control of local governments.

Therefore, according to him, local governments must build a real-time monitoring system for any potential violations.

Those who know the real conditions in the field are local governments. So, if there is misuse of forest areas or activities that violate permits, they must be immediately reported and dealt with. Supervision cannot be relaxed," Toha told reporters, Friday, December 5.

In addition to the role of the local government, Toha also invited the public and environmental activist institutions to be actively involved in forest surveillance. According to him, public participation is very important to ensure that there are no loopholes for individuals who try to carry out illegal practices that damage the environment.

Toha also considered that law enforcement must be strengthened indiscriminately. He emphasized that there should be no selective slashing in handling cases of forest destruction.

"Law enforcement must be firm and fair. There should be no omission. If there is omission, then anyone who lets him suffer for his sins," said the PKB legislator.

Toha also assessed that the synergy between the central government, regional, community, and law enforcement officials needs to be improved. "In order to save forest and environmental areas, it can run more effectively," he concluded.