Pekanbaru, Riau (Antarariau.com) - PT Merbau Pelalawan Lestari (MPL) said it would seek a review of the Supreme Court decision punishing it with a penalty of Rp16 trillion (US$1.23 billion) for illegal logging and destroying the environment.
"I feel very sad . We will seek legal attempt through review," Director of PT Merbau Pelalawan Lestari (MPL), Ahmad Kuswara told Antara news agency here on Thursday.
Ahmad said he only knew about the decision of the Supreme Court through the mass media. He said his company had no money to pay for the fine .
"The asset of the company are not even up to Rp1 trillion in value," he said, adding he believed there was a mistake with the verdict.
He said the district court and the appeal court found the company not guilty.
"Our forest concession is in the middle of concessions of other companies," he said.
The environment and forestry ministry filed a civil case against the company on 26 September 2013, and the Supreme Court decided in favor of the claimant that PT MPL cut trees outside its concession area.
The company was charged with illegal logging over 5,590 hectares of forest causing a loss of an estimated Rp12 trillion to the state. The company was also punished for damaging the environment over 1,873 hectares causing a loss of around Rp4 trillion.
