The plantation and forestry sectors in Indonesia failed to pay as much as $18.8 billion (169.8 trillion rupiah) for timber exploitation between 2004-2007, alleges Indonesian Corruption Watch, an anti-grant activist group, which urged the country’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and Ministry of Forestry to conduct a full investigation.
According to Tempo, Indonesian Corruption Watch’s figure is based on comparison of tax and non-tax revenue in the plantation sector with the value of standing timber in areas cleared by plantation firms. Tax and non-tax revenue amounted to 47.8 trillion rupiah during the period, whereas the value of timber was estimated at 217.8 trillion rupiah.
Indonesia Corruption Watch said the findings highlight the need to address corruption in the forestry sector.
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