Jakarta, 16 March 2012
To:
Hadi S. Pasaribu
Focal Point FIP Indonesia
Ministry of Forestry
David McCauley
CC Program Coordination Unit
Regional and Sustainable Development Department
Asian Development Bank
Ancha Srinivasan
Senior Climate Change Specialist
Southeast Asia Regional Department
Asian Development Bank
Michael Brady
Forest Program Manager
IFC
Werner Kornexl
Senior Climate Change Specialist
The World Bank
Gerhard Dieterle
Adviser
Dear Sirs,
We, from the civil society, would like to thank you for inviting us to comment on the
draft Forest Investment Programme (FIP) issued by the Multilateral Development Banks (Asian
Development Bank, World Bank, and IFC) together with the Government of Indonesia (Ministry
of Forestry). However, we consider the draft is far from an attempt to apply the principles of
good governance, democracy and human rights in Indonesia. Our disappointments, among
others, are concerning the following:
1. FIP draft document that is posted on the Ministry of Forestry website
(http://www.dephut.go.id/index.php?q=id/node/8365) is only available in English, not in the
Indonesian language, although the document explicitly claims as a document of the Republic of
Indonesia. Furthermore, the document is only available on the website. This is not acceptable,
because the main target of this document is effective participation of the Indonesian people,
especially indigenous and local communities living in and around the forests. In addition, the
World Bank and ADB policy itself clearly state that public consultation documents should be
available in the national and local languages. Therefore, we question the accountability of these
documents to all Indonesian people, especially more than 60 million indigenous peoples and
local communities in and around the forest areas.
2. Time given to the public to provide their views and opinions is just two weeks. This
duration is too short for the public to read a document over 100 pages thick, and provide
substantial views. This indicated FIP is not serious in involving active participation of indigenous
peoples and local communities in and around forest areas, where this program will be
executed.
3. We do not see public participation has been taken into consideration substantially during
the drafting of this document. There is no reference in this draft that reflects the public view
taken from consultations, written inputs, or even input provided by the Community Chamber
and NGO Chamber of National Forestry Council.
4. This document and its creation process have not clearly described concrete contribution
that will be supported to make a national strategy materialise in policy and in practice. Without
a clear relationship as such, this document will potentially disrupt the coordination between
state agencies and sour the orientation of national policies relating to reducing emissions in the
forestry sector.
These facts show that the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, IFC as part of the FIP
joint team together with the Government of Indonesia did not seriously consider the inputs
that had been submitted by Indonesian Civil Society. Due to above reasons, we urge that:
1.
There should be documents in Indonesian and local languages (to be swiftly produced
based on the location of the planned project site) provided.
2.
There should be an extension of the deadline for the public to give their views, as soon
as the draft in Indonesian and local languages are made available for public
distribution. The duration of this extension should take into consideration the
involvement of indigenous and local communities.
3.
There should be space for local communities and indigenous peoples to participate
fully, taking into account the special needs of vulnerable groups (such as women,
children, and elderly). Where the process should provide space and opportunities for
local communities and indigenous peoples to participate in providing opinions and
views to engage in discussion of this draft. There should be freedom without
intimidation or coercion, and for them to accept or not to accept.
4.
Availability of documents should not be only via website, but should also actively
embrace local community participation through various participation procedures.
These procedures should be widely known to the local community, especially taking
into account the special needs of vulnerable groups, such as women, children and the
elderly.
5.
Results of consultation and public participation that are carried out widely and
genuinely should be a main reference in the entire process of FIP, including the
document creation.
6.
Considering that FIP claims to be a national document, the FIP draft document should
clarify its relation and position with the National Strategy that is being built by SATGAS
REDD+.
In relation to the matters above, then we demand the whole process related to FIP be
postponed until the occurrence of synchronization with the process of establishing a clear
National Strategy that can actually guarantee to save the remaining forests of Indonesia and
improve governance in the forestry sector.
Signatories;
1. HuMa
2. debtWATCH Indonesia
3. BIC
4. WALHI
5. Greenpeace Indonesia
6. ICEL
7. KPSHK
8. Sawit Watch
9. AMAN
10. ELAW Indonesia
Copies:
Chairman SATGAS REDD+
Consultant Team