Green groups slam Prabowo's call to expand oil palm plantations

They warn that his comments may set back efforts to curb deforestation in Indonesia

- Linda Yulisman

A call by the Indonesian President to expand oil palm plantations has drawn backlash from environmental and farmers' groups, which warn that his comments may set back efforts to curb deforestation in the country.

In a development planning meeting on Dec 30, Mr Prabowo Subianto described palm oil as a national asset that has become a "strategic material" eyed by many foreign countries. He urged Indonesia's local and law enforcement officials to protect these plantations.

"I think we must expand oil palm cultivation. There's no need to fear deforestation," he said. "Oil palm is a tree with leaves. It absorbs carbon dioxide."

Green groups have criticised Mr Prabowo's statement as "dangerous", adding that it could be taken by government officials as a directive to enlarge oil palm plantations.

"The statement conveyed by Mr Prabowo as the president was dangerous because it would be interpreted by government officials as an instruction to continue land expansion (for plantations) and the clearing of natural forests, which would be devastating," Mr Andi Muttaqien, executive director of green group Satya Bumi, told The Straits Times.

"As deforestation was not seen as a problem, this will legitimise expansion. This is dangerous."