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Indigenous people around Lake Toba, demanding PT TPL return their confiscated customary forest. Photo: Ayat S Karokaro

Hundreds of indigenous people along Lake Toba, North Sumatra, who are members of Jalin D’Toba, Friday (29/5/15), rallied in front of PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), Medan.   The mass action at the general meeting of shareholders (GMS) demanded the return of customary forests. They also asked the company to be closed, for destroying customary and state forests.

While giving speeches, indigenous people burn incense and perform Batak dances. The dances tell how they are very sad, because the protected customary forest was destroyed because of the government’s permission to TPL.

Reverend Haposan Sinambela, a traditional leader of the Pandumaan-Sipituhuta, Humbang Hasundutan (Humbahas), stated that the damage to the Register 41 forest area was quite severe. Thousands of hectares of forest were deforested and destroyed, becoming eucalypts. Forest wood is also reduced. The Frankincense Forest that used to be the mainstay of their village began to disappear.

“The destruction of forests due to the company’s actions is no longer tolerable. We ask law enforcement to process this company. They destroy the forest. We urge the government to review the permit, otherwise, in less than five years, the forests along Lake Toba will be exhausted,” he said.

In the past, the water of the tributaries in the customary forest area was included in Register 41. It was clear and wide. Now, it’s shrunk and looks dirty. Photo: Ayat S Karokaro

Sinambela was a suspect and his legal status is unclear until now. He was considered a provocateur during a protest against the TPL operation in the Kemenyan Forest.

After the incense disappeared, he said, the economy of the people of Pandumaan-Sipituhuta Village continued to decline.

Hasron Sitorus, Lumban Sitorus traditional leader, representative of the Tapanuli indigenous community, Lumban Sitorus Village where the TPL factory is located, stated that at least 50 hectares of customary forest were confiscated by the company.

Various methods were used by the company to obtain Lumban Sitorus customary land, ranging from lure and manipulation of customs, as well as intimidation and even criminalization.

“Thanks to you, Sukamto Tanoto, who took the land of the Tapanuli people, specifically Lumban Sitorus and oppressed us for 30 years.”

The company, he said, argued that it had obtained permission from the Lumban Sitorus indigenous community to manage the land. In fact, during a meeting with the Toba Samosir DPRD, it was revealed that the Toba Samosir BPN showed the North Sumatra Governor’s Decree No. 359 which stated that no Lumba Sitorus indigenous people had handed over the land to the company. “That fact was confirmed during a hearing with the North Sumatra DPRD.” In fact, it is stated that the company is destroying forests and customary forests in Lake Toba.

“There is only one word, return our customary land. Stop destroying the forest on Lake Toba. To shareholders and investors, enjoy the wealth of this company, which has been oppressing.” None of the company representatives accepted them. The demonstration ended by throwing water hyacinth in front of the TPL building.

Indigenous people who live in the Lake Toba area protested, Friday morning demanding that the TPL be closed in front of the TPL at the Uniland Building, Medan.

Text & Photo: Ayat S Karokaro
Source: Mongabay.com