Indonesian government criticised for climate funding results

Several NGOs have criticised the Indonesian government for not achieving better results for the country at the recent Copenhagen climate conference and have filed a series of complaints with the Deputy Speaker of the national House of Representatives, Pramono Anung.

Chairman of the Anti Debt Coalition (KAU), Dani Setiawan, said that Indonesia only exploited climate change issues to get more funding.“During the talks, developed countries, such as the United States committed to giving Indonesia US$10 billion from 2010 to 2012. However, 50% of those funds will be considered as foreign debt, which is actually a setback,” he said.

Dani said that Indonesia should have used better diplomatic bargaining skills, such as those employed by Bolivia. “Bolivia used the historical aspects of its diplomatic bargaining with developed countries by securing non-foreign debt schemes,” he said.

According to Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) forest campaigner, Teguh Surya, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono did not raise his government's commitment to protect its natural forest during the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry [Lulucf] discussions.

"Only Africa, Nepal and New Zealand stated their commitment in the Lulufc discussion. This, of course, shows a betrayal of Indonesia’s commitment. The government has reserved 17.91 million ha of natural for development outside of the forestry sector. We must also highlight the planned expansion of palm oil plantations by 26.7 million hectares in 17 provinces, which will convert existing natural forests. "How can all of this happen if the President is serious about reducing emissions?” he told The Jakarta Post.