753 Died Due To Floods, DPR Legislator Urges Government To Stop Forest Utilization Permits

Flash floods in East Aceh Bunin (DOK ANTARA)

Member of Commission IV DPR RI Firman Soebagyo asked the government to impose a moratorium on forest utilization permits to stop logging activities that have the potential to damage the environment and trigger flash floods.

This proposal was submitted following the increasing number of victims of flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. As of Wednesday morning, disasters in the three provinces had killed 753 people.

First, we from the DPR feel concerned and condolences. This is a warning to all of us, especially regulators and the government as the authority holders. If we look at the causes of this flood because it damaged our environment, our forests," said Firman at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, December 3.

Firman assessed that although the government stated that deforestation had decreased, flash floods and landslides showed different field conditions. According to him, the latest facts that arise from the community and disasters that occur indicate that there are still serious problems in forest protection.

The Golkar politician said Commission IV has a moral responsibility to think about concrete steps. He proposed a moratorium on forest utilization permits accompanied by a thorough evaluation of the maps and permits that have been issued by the relevant ministries.

From the cross-examination, there is indeed a protected forest area that is converted or granted a PPKH permit (Borrow Using Forest Areas). In fact, this is an indication of forest damage. When the permit has been granted, the government is unable to control it," he said.

Firman said that licensing issues are not new and have been going on for a long time. Therefore, he considered that the momentum of this disaster should be used by the government of President Prabowo Subianto to restore forestry regulations so that they are in accordance with the mandate of the law.

"With Pak Prabowo's strong commitment, it's time for us to restore regulations to protect our ecology and forests, not the interests of certain groups," he said.

In addition to moratoriums and regulatory evaluations, Firman encourages increased supervisory institutions. He gave an example of Brazil, which has a forestry supervisory agency Ibama, which according to him has strong authority such as the Corruption Eradication Commission in the forestry sector.

"Violations must be dealt with firmly according to the law. No more behind-the-scenes games. There are already many victims," said Firman.

He also highlighted the Agrarian Reform policy that opened forest areas for the food sector. According to him, this policy has the potential to be misused and must be stopped.

Hutan is an ecological buffer. Food is agricultural land. It is not allowed to immediately have vacant land and then plant food. That is a gap used by business actors," he said.

Firman emphasized the need for fundamental changes in forest management so that similar disasters do not continue to repeat themselves.