Minister of Environment and Forestry Said That the Omnibus Law Makes People Not Easily Criminalized

Menteri Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Siti Nurbaya (Foto: Humas KLHK)

JAKARTA - Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK), Siti Nurbaya Bakar, said the Omnibus Law on Job Creation could solve environmental problems, including forest conflicts. She said that this law makes people not easily criminalized because it gave priority to restorative justice.

"People can't be easily criminalized," said Siti in a press conference with several Onward Indonesia Cabinet Ministers, to straighten out the issue of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, on the YouTube account of the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Wednesday, October 7.

Siti said that this law could solve various chronic problems. Such as the problem of criminalization of local communities and the plantation problem in the forest. Thus, the existence of this law is important for her ministry.

Siti also said that this law could emphasize business licensing for private companies and for social forestry areas, which for the first time, have been regulated. Social forestry is sustainable forest management in state forest areas or customary forests to improve welfare, environmental balance, and socio-cultural dynamics.

"So for the first time, social forestry is included in this law. It is very positive," she said.

With this law, if people around forest areas commit an accidental violation, they won't be punished immediately. "In the past, the law was cruel. Now, it is subject to administrative sanctions instead of criminal sanctions," she said.

"And to the community, the term is carried out by forest management policies, such as social forest areas, conservation, agrarian reform, and others," he said.

Previously, the Indonesian Parliament had knocked on the controversial Job Creation Omnibus Law at the Plenary Meeting for the Closing of Session Period I of 2020-2021 Session at the Parliament building, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, October 5.

The DPR decided to pass the bill despite opposition from the Democratic Faction and the Prosperous Justice Party.

"We need to convey, based on what we have seen and heard. So once again, I need approval in this plenary meeting forum. Do you agree?" Azis said before knocking the hammer of approval.

"Agreed," replied the board members. 

The ratification of the Job Creation Bill received approval from seven factions, namely PDIP, Gerindra, NasDem, PAN, PKB, PPP, and Golkar.