PT RAPP “Again” Denied its Promise to Teluk Binjai Villagers

16 May, 2012

“RAPP together with Teluk Binjai villagers managed Tree Planting” Press Release title by PT RAPP Public Relation in several media in Riau on March 9 2012.

Since the permit of Timber Plantation (HTI) in Kampar Peninsula, Riau, Indonesia on 2009 given to PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), this company has to mobilize many resources in order to accept as the company that put commitment to the environment and law.

To create an image that this company accepted by the community, not only cost financially in Public Relation activity, PT RAPP also manage ways to create an impression of “well accepted” by the community and government.

After three years of the Timber Plantation permit granted, recently this pulp and paper company managed “Tree Planting” activity in their program of supporting the central government program “Planting 1 million trees”. This Tree Planting was took place at Teluk Binjai village, Teluk Meranti Sub-district, Riau by planting Bintaro tree for 5,6 kilometer.

This Super Extra “effort” has to be taken by company that owned by Tanoto Sukanto because of their controverse permit which is on Protected peat swamp forest of Kampar Peninsula. Even the “hard work” has been started since this company operates, when International NGO Greenpeace and Local Environment NGOs in Riau such as Jikalahari managed demonstration in the forest that was just being clear cutted.

Strong resistance also came from a community group of Teluk Meranti village, Pelalawan, Riau. This group made a citizen lawsuit at Pelalawan State Court which then rejected because the judge considered the case was not at the right court level.

Ironically, Teluk Binjai villagers, where the Tree Planting took place two months ago by PT RAPP comes for a protests. This morning (16/5/2012) approximately 200 Teluk Binjai villagers manage peace action at Small Harbour of PT RAPP at Teluk Binjai.

This action is planned by the villagers after they feel cheated by PT RAPP that not keep the promise as stated in the memo of understanding in 2010. In their effort of getting acceptance from all villages around its operation area, two years ago PT RAPP made a MoU of providing 6.000 hectares of its concession for rubber plant which they called as Trees for Community (Tanaman Kehidupan).

Those Trees for Community will be submitted to the locals after 6 years. Land of 1.222 hectares of rubber plantation will be submitted to Teluk Binjai villagers, 2.300 hectares for Teluk Meranti villagers and 3.000 hectares for Pulau Muda villagers.

However after 2 years, PT RAPP does not keep its promise. According to Buyung Siliwangi, Teluk Binjai villager, only 800 hectares of the land being planted by rubber. “those 800 hectares of rubber plantation is not well maintained,” said Buyung.

That’s one of the reason of Teluk Binjai villagers to urge PT RAPP to keep its promise. This action is one of dozen actions by Teluk Binjai villagers.

by Zemi & DK