Greenpeace activists in Indonesia reported 'false news' about deforestation to the police

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

The lawsuit against Greenpeace Indonesia was withdrawn by the Jakarta Metro Police on Monday because the plaintiff did not want the subject to be politicised.

Two Greenpeace activists in Indonesia have been denounced to the police for allegedly baseless criticism of deforestation taking place under the government's supervision.

For contradicting President Joko Widodo's deforestation claim, the activists, Greenpeace Indonesia Head Leonard Simanjuntak and Indonesia Forest Campaign Head Kiki Taufik, were charged of propagating fake news and violating Indonesia's Information and Electronic Transactions Act (UU ITE).

 

Jokowi stated earlier this month at the COP26 summit in Glasgow that deforestation in Indonesia had decreased in recent years.
Greenpeace Indonesia then refuted the president's remark, calling it "crazy," citing Forestry Ministry data showing deforestation increased from 2.45 million hectares in 2003 to 4.8 million hectares in 2011 to 2019.

Husin Shahab, Secretary General of the Committee for the Eradication of Mafia of Law, takes issue with Greenpeace's critique.

 

Greenpeace Indonesia insists that their criticism of Jokowi's claim was founded on facts

 

Edited November 17, 2021 by ASEAN NOW Content Team