M’sian firm denies link to largest open burning in Indonesia

Malaysian oil palm plantations company TDM Berhad has denied Jakarta's accusation that one of its concessions was behind the largest open burning in Indonesia.

In a statement, TDM stressed that it practices a strict “no burning” policy, adhering to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) principles.

“There shall be no use of fire in the preparation of new planting, replanting or any other developments.

“Since 2016, there are no new development nor land clearing activities been carried out within our area of operation,” the company said in a statement today.

TDM was referring to a report by The Edge yesterday in which the Indonesian government fingered six Malaysian-linked companies operating estates in Indonesia in cases of open burning blamed for the recent transboundary haze across the region.

Jakarta said these were out of 56 companies it deemed responsible for the open burning.

Indonesia also claimed that of the six, TDM-linked Rafi Kamajaya Abadi (PK RTA) allegedly conducted the largest open burning on 600ha of land in West Kalimantan.

Labelling The Edge report as "not true", TDM today claimed the land operated on by PT RKA was vulnerable due to excessively dry weather.

"Since the beginning of the dry weather in early August, PT RKA had accounted a few fire incidents within its operating area...

“The affected areas are accessible by the surrounding villagers, and the prolonged dry spell makes it vulnerable to be exposed to such fire incidents.”

The fire was extinguished and the matter was reported to police, TDM said.

“The cause of fire has yet to be ascertained and is still under investigation by the Indonesian authority.

“... We will continue to work closely with the local authorities, fire department and the villagers on joint operations for fire prevention and fire-fighting purposes," the company said.

It added it was considering legal action.