Jakarta, December 22, 2015. Non-compliance with the implementation of the SVLK and the violation of policies related to the protection of natural forests are still found in the field. The government must tighten supervision and provide strict sanctions for companies that are proven to have violated the implementation of the SVLK.

The Timber Legality Verification System, also known as SVLK, is an effort built by the government to combat illegal logging and trade in illegal timber. The implementation of SVLK is also an effort to realize good forest governance or good forest governance in Indonesia. SVLK is mandatory for all companies in the forestry sector both upstream and downstream. The SVLK application requires companies to comply with the applicable rules, including avoiding social conflicts with communities around the concession, not utilizing timber from protected areas stipulated by the company, and for the wood industry not using wood raw materials without SVLK certificates. These three aspects are a number of prerequisites for a graduation in the verification process.

Search results conducted by JPIK, FWI, KSPPM, and PW. AMAN in the North Maluku region found that there were still non-compliance with permit companies towards the implementation of the SVLK, especially in the provinces of North Sumatra, North Kalimantan and North Maluku. “The provision of strict sanctions against companies that violate SVLK rules is absolutely applied by the government, both companies that move upstream and downstream,” said Muhamad Kosar, Dinamisator JPIK.

Until now, conflicts still occur between the community and the HTI company PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (PT. TPL) in Simalungun District, North Sumatra. The logging and deprivation of Kemenyan forests belonging to indigenous peoples by TPL companies is the cause of conflict and eliminates the sources of people’s lives. Another finding from the results of field monitoring is that PT. TPL also carries out logging in commensurate rivers and protected areas within its concession.

Violations of SVLK rules are also carried out by HTI company PT. Adindo Hutani Lestari, which is in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. In the concession of PT. Adindo Hutani Lestari, found logging and land clearing which is a deep peat area. “Land clearing in deep peat areas and logging practices in protected areas clearly violates SVLK rules,” Kosar said in a press release. Not only that, the company is indicated to have encroached on community land due to boundary uncertainty and not through free prior and informed consent.

Indications of violations are also found in the timber supply and distribution chain to the downstream level, namely the primary wood industry. One of the companies identified was PT. Panca Usaha Palopo Plywood located in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi. The largest timber industry company in Sulawesi is strongly suspected of receiving wood supplies from sources that do not have legality. The source of the wood comes from the HPH company PT. Mohtra Agung Persada in Central Halmahera Regency, North Maluku. Data on the realization of the Industrial Raw Material Fulfillment Plan (RPBBI) up to November 2015 shows that PT. Panca Palopo Plywood still receives wood from PT. Mohtra Agung Persada totaling 10,155.11 cubic meters. This of course shows the weakness of the supervision system regarding the circulation of logs applied by the government. “The RPBBI document owned by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry should be able to maintain that only timber from legal sources must be consumed by industry,” said Mufti Barri, FWI Campaigner.

“Natural forest conversion without SVLK conducted by PT. Mohtra Agung Persada will cause conflict and a negative impact on the carrying capacity of the environment in Central Halmahera. The difficulty of accessing information related to company activities is the main obstacle to supervision from the community. Information disclosure in forest management is the key so that people know which legal and illegal company activities are, “Mufti concluded in his press release.

Editor’s Note:
– Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) is an independent forest monitoring network composed of individuals who have a commitment to realize an open process of forestry data and information management in Indonesia so that it can guarantee the management of fair and sustainable forest resources.
– JPIK is an Independent Forest Monitoring Network established on September 23, 2010 which was agreed and declared by 29 NGOs and NGO networks from Aceh to Papua that were active in monitoring the implementation of the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK) in Indonesia.
– The Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago abbreviated AMAN is an independent community organization (ORMAS) whose members consist of indigenous communities from various parts of the archipelago.
– The Community Initiative Study and Development Group (KSPPM) is the Center for the study and advocacy of the people’s movement in North Sumatra
– The Internal Policy regarding Zero Deforestation is implemented by the group of companies Asia Pacific Resources Internationan Ltd (APRIL), Raja Garuda Mas Group (RGM). All subsidiaries, such as PT. Adindo Hutani Lestari and affiliated companies (PT. Toba Pulp Lestari) must follow the policy. Protection of natural forests and peat which is part of the Zero Deforestation policy.
– PT. Panca Usaha Palopo is a downstream timber management industry. The company obtained a Timber Legality Certificate (S-LK) from the PT Mutu Agung Lestari certification body, with a certificate number LVLK-003 / MUTU / LK-031.
– PT. Toba Pulp Lestari has an SVLK certificate / Sustainable Production Forest Management (PHPL) issued by PT Ayamaru Certification.
– PT. Adindo Hutani Lestari has received a certificate of Sustainable Production Forest Management (PHPL) from PT. Sarbi International Certification on October 21, 2013 which is valid until October 20, 2018
– PT. Mohtra Agung Persada is a company that has an IUPHHK-HA / HPH permit based on SK. 400 / Menhut II / 06 dated July 19, 2006. In the practice of using timber, PT. Mohtra Agung Persada has not received an SVLK Certificate. In November 2015 the community carried out the confiscation of timber produced by PT. Mohtra Agung Persada (Read: http://portal.malutpost.co.id/en/daerah/halteng/item/8158-kecewa-warga-messa-sandra-kayu-milik-pt-mohtra-agung). PT certification body Lambodja Certification recently announced that it will carry out a timber legality verification plan in November 2015.

Contact For Interviews
Forestry Independent Monitoring Network (JPIK)
Speaker: JPIK Dynamics, Muhammad Kosar (mkosar@fwi.or.id, Mobile: 08157031051)
Website: http://jpik.or.id

Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI)
Resource person: FWI Campaigner, Mufti Fathul Barri (Email: muftiode@fwi.or.id, Mobile: +6285693050205 / +6282110677935)
Website: http://fwi.or.id
Phone / Fax: +62251 8333308 / +62 251 8317926

Document and Photo Needs
Dhio Teguh, Independent Forest Monitoring Network (JPIK). Email: dhio@fwi.or.id Mobile: 081374139842)

Download Press Release: Ketidakpatuhan SVLK, Pengingkaran Kebijakan Perlindungan Hutan Alam & Gambut