REPUBLIKA, BATAM -- Lawmaker Harry Azhar Azis has suggested legalization of illegal occupation of protected forest lands in Batam, in Riau Islands province.

Wide areas of protected forest land have been used for residential and commercial areas in Batam, creating a controversy areas between the Batam Authority (BP Batam) and the forestry ministry.

Harry, lawmaker from the province, said the best solution to the controversy is finding a replacement for the forest land, which is already occupied by thousands of property buildings including residential houses and business properties.

He said empty lands in that area could be planted with trees to make new forests as a replacement.

He regretted a statement by the legal counsel of the forestry minister threatening to file a criminal suit against the Batam Management Body (BP Batam) which has allocated the protected forest land for the business people.

"The statement will create inconvenience among investors in Batam when the bonded zone area has just started to grow after lagging behind similar areas in the Asia Pacific region," he said.

He expressed hope related agencies could sort out the problem for the interest of Batam especially as both BP Batam and the forestry ministry are state institutions.

A number of BP Batam leaders have been investigated by police on alleged misappropriation of lands in Batam.

The forestry ministry has said the allocation of the land for non forestry purposes is against Law No. 41 of 1999, which rules against destruction of protected forests.

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