He is well-known for his outspoken views on destructive logging and corruption in the forestry sector, most recently in connection with the proposed Ladia Galaska road network which cuts across the protected forests of southern Aceh and northern Sumatra. Martial law in the contested territory of Aceh has recently been downgraded to a state of civil emergency, but the police and military authorities are showing no signs of releasing him. On the contrary, they have sent the papers on his case to the courts. A team of lawyers from Jakarta, Medan and Aceh are preparing his defence. The initial charge, that Bestari Raden was the local commander of the Aceh Independence Movement, has been dropped for lack of evidence. However, he still faces the very serious charge of sedition (makar). One recent email indicated that Bestari Raden might even be accused of the death of a policeman.
The military, police and local politicians are heavily implicated in illegal logging throughout Aceh and stand to gain from the new road project. Another environmental activist, who had taken photos of illegal logging along the Ladia Galaska road system, was held in detention in April and accused of being a member of the independence movement. He was released after 5 days but says he was tortured.
Meanwhile, the plans for the road network appear to be going ahead.
Megawati Soekarno Putri
Presiden Republik Indonesia [President]
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta 10110 Indonesia
Email presiden@ri.go.id
Fax +62-21 345-2685 or 380-5511 or 5268726 or
Fax Sekretariat Presiden 344-2223
Telex 44283 BIGRA IA or 44469 DEPLU IA
Menteri Kehutanan [Forestry Minister]
M.Prakosa
Gedung Pusat Kehutanan Manggala Wanabhakti Blok I Lt.4
Jl. Gatot Subroto Senayan Jakarta 12070
Tel +62-21 5731820/0218
Fax +62-21 570 0226
See SKEPHI's open letter and cover note, plus DTE 61 article for background.