The government and other circles have agreed to restrict the room to maneuver for non-government organisations (NGOs) that disrupt national sovereignty. Not only that, they could also face criminal charges.

These moves are linked with a black campaign against palm oil plantations taking place at the moment.

Presidential chief of staff retired general Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan believes that the black campaign is closely linked with the role played by palm oil, which is becoming increasingly dominant in global vegetable oil use.

“Because of this palm oil must be protected by the government, so that if an agency or ministry, or even an NGO obstructs the development of the national palm oil industry, it would be better if we just bulldoze them”, he explained to journalists.

According to Luhut, palm oil should become a leading strategic commodity bearing in mind its huge contribution to the national economy. “The national palm oil industry must develop and must become better. This is the government’s job”, he asserted.

Tungkot Sipayung, the executive director of the Palm Oil Agribusiness Strategic Policy Institute (PASPI), says that the publication of data and information from NGOs tends to be inaccurate and disrupt the business climate in Indonesia.

The accusations thrown up by several NGO’s, particularly those aimed at the palm oil industry, need to be proven in court.

“Lest it just be limited to baseless rumors. Our country is a constitutional state. If there are accusations such as this they should be taken before the courts immediately. Let the courts ascertain [the truth]”, he told journalists.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Luhut: Menghambat Industri Sawit Bisa Dijerat Hukum.]

Source: http://www.indopos.co.id/2015/05/luhut-menghambat-industri-sawit-bisa-dijerat-hukum.html