At the COP 29 climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (11/11), the APRIL Group presented a statement during the CEO Dialogue session at the Indonesia Pavilion at the UNFCCC COP29. The statement outlined the Group’s commitment to sustainable forest management and investment in nature protection through a production-protection approach.
“In addition, we conserve natural forests in our plantation concessions. This is what we refer to as our Production-Protection approach. This approach allows APRIL’s plantation areas to serve as a natural forest protection zone.”
Sihol Aritonang, President Director of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper, an operating unit of APRIL Group, made a statement at the Indonesia Pavilion at COP29.
FACTS
First, It is important to note that APRIL Group has been involved in instances of corruption within the forestry sector. Sixteen corporations affiliated with the group have been found to have engaged in bribery activities, targeting the Riau Governor Rusli Zainal, Siak Regent Arwin As, Pelalawan Regent Tengku Azmun Jaffar, and three heads of the Riau Forestry Service.
The APRIL Group made bribes to the convicted individuals in order to obtain IUPHHK-HT, RKT and BKT licenses for the period between 2002 and 2009 on natural forests that were not permitted to have licenses. As a result of this illicit activity, Riau’s natural forests were cleared, with an estimated value of IDR 2.5 trillion in lost natural forest stands and IDR 1.3 trillion in economic harm to the state.
Secondly, the issuance of 13 IUPHHK-HT-RKT licenses by Burhanuddin resulted in significant ecological losses for APRIL Group-affiliated corporations. The 2012 Burhanuddin Husin Mappi-Jikalahari Decision Examination, based on calculations by Prof. Bambang Hero Saharjo (Professor of IPB), found that the total cost of the ecological damage, economic loss, and ecological recovery was IDR 687 trillion.
Third, in March 2024, Jikalahari discovered that APRIL Group subsidiaries PT Selaras Abadi Utama (SAU) and PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) Estate Sungai Mandau had engaged in several activities that violated environmental regulations. These included the cutting down of natural forests, the construction of new canals, the damage to peat ecosystems that serve a protective function, and the planting of acacia trees outside the designated concession area without the necessary permits.
At the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, the APRIL Group presented misleading information to the public. Given the Group’s involvement in deforestation, forestry corruption, forest and land fires, and conflicts with indigenous and local communities, it is questionable whether the APRIL Group should have been permitted to attend the conference.
Okto Yugo Setiyo, Jikalahari Coordinator
