President Jokowi to Appeal High Court Decision
President Joko Jokowi Widodo said he respected every decision in jurisdiction of the court, including the decision of Palangkaraya High Court, Central Kalimantan, which found him (along with four ministers, Governor of Central Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan Regional Representatives Council) guilty of forest fires.
We must respect every decision in the jurisdiction of the court,” President Jokowi told reporters after meeting with Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah in Jakarta, last Thursday (23/8).
A similar response was repeated by President Jokowi when asked by reporters after visiting Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI) in Jakarta, Friday (24/8). However, the President further said that he has right to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
For the record, Palangkaraya High Court on 22 August, 2018 upheld the decision of Palangkaraya District Court, which sided with environmental activists from Central Kalimantan Anti-Smoke Movement (GAAs) that filed Citizen Lawsuit on 2015 forest fires.
The High Court decision instructed the President to issue implementing regulations of Law Number 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management that is important to prevent and control forest and land fires as well as to increase peoples participation
President Jokowi explained that the forest fires have decreased by more than 85 percent compared to that of the past. The President assured that the Government has been enforcing the Law regarding forest and land fires, including by establishing Peat Land Restoration Agency (BRG).
“I think we have made great efforts in dealing with forest and land fires,” President Jokowi said.
President Jokowi further said that the handling of forest fires is not only carried out in Kalimantan, but throughout the country.
“In these four years we have made great, integrated efforts by establishing Peat Land Restoration Agency (BRG) and issuing Presidential Instruction on Forest Fires, the President explained, adding that the forest fires throughout the country have decreased by 85 percent.
(DND/FID/ES) (RI/EP/Naster)