Jayapura, Papua (Antara) - Eight out of 14 companies allegedly being involved in causing forest fires in Indonesia's Riau province are investment companies from Malaysia operating in the oil palm sector. Indonesia's environment minister Balthasar Kambuaya said here on Monday his office was currently investigating the case and if proven they would be taken to court. "Currently our team is still conducting the investigation and collecting evidence to be used in the trial process," said Kambuaya stressing that the fires have caused high air pollution in the Sumatra island of Indonesia as well as in Singapore and parts of Malaysia reaching above 600 ppm (parts per million). According to the minister the forest fires were not solely the mistake of Indonesian as it has been found that several companies that have allegedly caused the fires belong to Malaysia. "Who have burned the forests. And who have so far enjoyed the profit. It is Malaysian and Singaporean companies," he said. Kambuaya said he has scheduled separate meetings with Malaysian and Singaporean environment ministers to discuss the matter. The Malaysian environment minister is scheduled to meet with him on Wednesday on June 26 and while his Singaporean counterpart d on Thursday on June 27 in Jakarta. To avoid recurrence permit issuance must include environmental impact assessment (EIA), said Minister Kambuaya. (*)

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Editor : Tunggul Susilo


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