INDONESIA'S PLANNED MORATORIUM ON OIL PALM CONCESSIONS LAUDED by Fardah

 Jakarta, April 21, 2016(Antara) - President Joko Widodo's announcement last week about a plan to impose a moratorium on new permits for oil palm plantations has been lauded by some parties, particularly NGOs.

        The moratorium policy is aimed at preserving Indonesia's tropical rain forest, the world's third largest after forests in Amazon and Congo.

        The deforestation rate in the country, however, is very fast since land is being converted, particularly for plantation, and also due to forest fires.

       "There will be a moratorium on oil palm and mining," the head of state, popularly known as Jokowi, stated at the launch of a National Movement for Plants and Wild Animals protection in conjunction with the World Forest Day, in Karya Island of Thousand Islands, Jakarta, on April 14.

        The president said entrepreneurs and small business holders will not be allowed to expand land for oil palm concessions.

        According to the President, the government is also planning to declare a moratorium on mining areas.

CENTURY-OLD PALM OIL INDUSTRY STILL BUSY FACING 'NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNS' By Fardah

      Jakarta, Oct 23, 2010 (ANTARA) - Entering the 100th anniversary of the palm oil industry in Indonesia, the world`s largest palm oil producing country, is still preoccupied with responses to anti-palm oil expansion campaigns launched by environmental NGOs.
       A celebration to be highlighted with a number of events such seminars, exhibitions, sports tournaments and charity, will be organized in Medan, North Sumatra, on March 28-30, 2011.
      And the most important, the event will also be used as an opportunity to correct `public misconceptions` on negative impacts of oil palm plantations on the environment.