Environmental politics in Malaysia and Indonesia

[helene schoubye]

Sometime ago Peter Finke posted this in the “Global”- section. But it is mainly directed to readers in Asia:

“From an global ecological point of view, a massive change of environmental politics in Malaysia and Indonesia is urgently necessary. The remnants of the primeval forest are important for the whole mankind on earth, not to speak of the other forms of life.
But is there any serious attempt to be seen to stop the ongoing destruction? Do the governments contend or quarrel with the big companies? Or are they generally in favour of their intentions? What is the influence of the local authorities? Is it measurable or is it to be neglected?
And what is the opinion of the people affected by all this? Are the news right that ever more feel the loss of their native land and oppose to all that? Or do they still hope to gain an advantage from it? And do they?”

[Peter Finke]

Environmental Politics and Power in Indonesia [Paperback]
Hariadi Kartodiharjo (Editor), Hira Jhamtani (Editor)

Equinox Publishing (2009)

A valuable book for all who want to learn something about the backgrounds of Indonesian environmental politics. We are informed that natural resource degradation in Indonesia has come with high costs – financially, culturally, physically and socially. Much of this can be attributed to inappropriate policies, market forces, power and political interests, inadequate and inappropriate development programs and policies, and also the lack of community involvement in natural resource governance. This book outlines the various political, economic and social forces at work through various historical periods that have led to such disasters and degradation. It also presents an analysis of some of the dominant trends such as increasing privatization, commoditization of resources, and monoculture practices and promotion and their consequences for Indonesia. The effects of these trends on local communities and indigenous peoples have been quite devastating. The book also outlines broad global trends and their consequences for development and the environment in Indonesia. It refrains from providing prescriptive recommendations, but presents an in-depth analysis of the interplay of forces that have led to such disasters and provides, as points of reference, some local initiatives (some that have been time-tested) from which the reader can draw inspiration and hope for reversing the escalating ecological crisis in Indonesia, especially as rights, resource access and livelihoods of local communities are being threatened.

Disenchanting, disillusioning, sobering down. But also encouraging with respect to the changing attitudes and growing consciousness and courage of local initiatives and the perspectives of real grass-root networking.

[Peter Finke]

The international platform “rainforest rescue” gives this information:

One of the most powerful opponents of our ‘Save our Borneo’ activists is Wilmar International, the largest palm oil company worldwide.
They act as if no rules apply to them. This company has the rainforest illegally logged and new plantations set up; they drive peasants off their land and arrest them if they defend themselves. Wilmar keeps founding new subsidiaries, and bribes officials to side-step the law.
Therefore, SOB’s boss Nordin sent ‘Rainforest Rescue’ a strategic plan in order to unite our efforts and take action against Wilmar: We are also supported by regional environmentalists of ‘Walhi’, the Indonesian branch of ‘Friends of the Earth’. “We want to sue the Wilmar Group at their headquarters in Singapore for their crimes committed against humans and nature,“ says Nordin. “However, first we will have to gather enough detailed facts and evidence for an absolutely watertight lawsuit.“

Their strategic plan is set to run for 18 months and works on all levels, including:
1. Workshops with affected peasant families to discuss land rights and, possibly, draw up maps. Another goal is to inform the population about Wilmar’s modus operandi and how to defend themselves.
2. Training in Forest Management and Land Rights
3. Research and data gathering regarding activities of Wilmar subsidiaries.
4. Workshops on corruption
5. Public relations activities disclosing Wilmar’s law violations as well as any political involvement (multimedia campaign on TV, radio or the internet such as facebook, brochures etc.)
6. Public dialogues between all the parties involved, having politicians, scientists, journalists, environmentalists and victims of the palm oil industry all sit together at one table.
Nordin calls his major offensive against Wilmar International an “Action Plan for a Better Life“.

‘Rainforest Rescue’ intends to support this Action Plan with a sum of 10,000 Euros. This money will be well spent because in the past, SOB has already succeeded several times in thwarting some of Wilmar’s plans.

[Soo Xi Wei]

What is happening here is all about money, the people needs money(economical issues to cope with standard of living), the government wants money(greediness that leads to corruption & bribery acceptance), it all happens that natural resources(oil palm) brings economic well-being(pretty much fast and easy money) caused by the valuation of it by the world.

These few main factors leads to government promote oil palm industry by subsidies or whatever support, business people makes big money, pay under table money to the various department i.e. environmental department, linking up with family members(often giving shares) of those who are in power(politically) for favour to keep an eye close on whatever is happening. The people(citizens) remain silent for 3 main reason, first is the culture of being easy going, second being job opportunities as majority of people out of main city are economically relying on this industry, also considering the misused of political power by governing parties to suppress freedom of speech(the rich keeps quiet and continue the benefits while the middle class & poor continue getting “punishment”from speaking out)

This is a very general picture of what is going on in Malaysia and pretty similar case for Indonesia

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