A team of fire fighters stands amid burning trees in Kahayan Hilir, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia on Wednesday, September18, 2019. -AP
KUALA LUMPUR: TDM Bhd
has rebutted a report that its Indonesian subsidiary PT. Rafi Kamajaya Abadi (PTRKA) allegedly conducted the largest opening burning of 600ha in West Kalimantan.
In a statement to Bursa Malaysia on Thursday, TDM said since 2016, there was neither new development nor land clearing activities within its area of operation.
TDM also said it practises the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) principles it was strictly governed by the “no burning” policy.
“There shall be no use of fire in the preparation of new planting, replanting or any other developments, ” it said.
A news report entitled “Six Malaysian firms behind open burning, says Indonesia” stated PTRKA allegedly conducted the largest opening burning of 600ha in West Kalimantan.
However, on Thursday TDM pointed out since the beginning of the dry weather in early August, PT RKA had encountered a few fire incidences within its operating area and the matter had been reported to local authorities including the police department.
“The affected areas are accessible by the surrounding villagers and with the prolonged dry spell which makes it vulnerable to be exposed to such fire incidences. The anagement has lodged police report on the fire incident and full cooperation has been given to the authority to accommodate the investigation.
“As at today, the cause of fire has yet to be ascertained and is still under investigation by the Indonesian authority. As per the earlier announcement, we have reported that the fire has been extinguished.
"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, ” TDM said.
In its earlier statement to Bursa on Sept 17, TDM said about 1,201 hectares of PTRKA’s area has been affected by the recent fire.
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