Responding To The Joint Movement To Buy Synthetic Forests, DPR: Warning For Officials To Protect Forests

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV DPR Riyono responded to the Beli Hutan Joint movement voiced by environmental activist groups from the Pandawara Group, after the floods and landslides that hit Aceh, North Sumatra, to West Sumatra.

Riyono assessed that the movement was a satire against the poor forest management in the country.

"This act of buying forests by netizens is actually a warning to related officials to seriously protect the forest," Riyono told reporters, Friday, December 12.

Apart from activists, a number of the public such as singer Denny Caknan and Vidi Aldiano to actor Denny Sumargo also expressed support.

This campaign has received widespread attention because many parties think that forest damage in Sumatra has been triggered by deforestation that has been going on for years without serious handling.

Not only did Riyono cause thousands of people to die and 300 people were lost in the Sumatra disaster, Riyono also said that forest damage due to poor governance resulted in the state losing trillions.

The damage to forests and their utilization areas is already very severe. Forest land is like a football field that can be played by anyone," he said.

The PKS legislator from the Central Java (Central Java) electoral district also assessed that the Beli Hutan Joint Movement which was crowded on social media was in accordance with the constitution and ministerial level regulations. "The act of buying and selling forests is actually regulated by the government," said Riyono.

Riyono explained that the rules for buying forests in Indonesia appeared in Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry. Then, Government Regulation Number 24 of 2010 concerning Procedures for the Implementation of Rights and Obligations, as well as the Forms and Procedures for Payment of State Revenue in the Forestry Sector.

As well as Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry number P.83/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/10/2016 concerning Guidelines for Assessment and Determination of Forest Area Selling Prices. "This regulation regulates guidelines for assessing and setting selling prices for forest areas," explained Riyono.

Even so, he reminded that there are rules and conditions that are difficult for someone or institution to buy forests in Indonesia. "However, the process of purchasing forests is not easy," said Riyono.