REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU -- The Riau police has tightened security in front of the Malaysian consulate office ahead of a rally, which will be conducted by environmental activists, here on Tuesday.
According to Antara's observation, the rally has not started yet, but tens of police personnel have been deployed at the consulate office to guard the building.
Earlier it was reported that the protesters will conduct a rally in front of the Malaysian consulate office in Pekanbaru, demanding Malaysia's apology in view of the involvement of one of its palm oil companies in a deliberate forest fire, a year ago, in Riau province. The forest fire had caused thick haze covering not only Riau province but also Malaysia and Singapore.
"This rally also intends to remind the judge, who was handling the forest fire case, to ensure a fair trial. We want the guilty prosecuted with maximum sentence," Muslim, an activist, stated.
The Riau police had named several suspects in the deliberate forest fire case. Among the suspects was the corporate PT Adei Plantation and Industry, which is affiliated to a Malaysian company. The company, which has a Permit for Land Use (HGU) in Riau province, was said to have paid people to burn down the forest in order to open new palm oil plantation.
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