Indonesia to fine palm oil companies RM1.45bil for operating in forests

Indonesia said in November it had identified some 200,000ha of oil palm plantations in areas designated as forests. - PHOTO: REUTERS

JAKARTA (Reuters): Indonesia said on Friday that it would slap palm oil companies operating within forest areas with fines amounting to a total of 4.8 trillion rupiah (US$310.1 million RM1,45 billion).

More than 475 billion rupiah (US$30.7 million) in fines have been issued so far, an official from the ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment Firman Hidayat told reporters, who did not provide further details or identify the companies fined.