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Company licenses to be revoked over Indonesia haze Company licenses to be revoked over Indonesia haze
(about 7 hours later)
More than 50 Indonesian companies will have their licenses revoked for their role in causing the haze that blanketed South East Asia earlier this year, the government has said. More than 50 Indonesian companies are being punished for their role in causing the haze that blanketed South East Asia earlier this year.
The forest fires that caused the haze are the result of illegal slash-and-burn practices used to clear land for palm oil and pulp wood plantations. The forest fires that caused the haze are the result of illegal slash-and-burn practices.
It is the first time the laws banning such practices are being enforced. The fires are used to clear land for palm oil and pulp wood plantations.
The pollution has occurred for years, but was particularly bad in 2015. For the first time the government is revoking as well as freezing the licences of companies found responsible.
The government has not named the firms, but released the initials and general location of 30 of the 56 companies whose licences will be revoked. The pollution caused by the fires has occurred for years, but was particularly bad in 2015.
Only one of the companies was confirmed to be foreign-owned. The government has not named the firms, but released the initials and general location of 30 of the 56 companies who are being punished
Only one of the companies was confirmed to be foreign-owned. Another is a supplier to one of the world's biggest paper and pulp producers Asia Pulp & Paper (APP).
Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said other companies would be punished for not putting out blazes that reached their areas, the BBC's Rebecca Henschke reports from Jakarta.Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said other companies would be punished for not putting out blazes that reached their areas, the BBC's Rebecca Henschke reports from Jakarta.
Ms Nurbaya told a news conference that more companies were under investigation.Ms Nurbaya told a news conference that more companies were under investigation.
It is illegal in Indonesia to clear more than two hectares of land by what is known as slash-and-burn methods.It is illegal in Indonesia to clear more than two hectares of land by what is known as slash-and-burn methods.
Read more about the hazeRead more about the haze
'Slow progress': Firefighters scramble to contain forest fires'Slow progress': Firefighters scramble to contain forest fires
Emergency nursery: One Indonesian town's plan to protect its babiesEmergency nursery: One Indonesian town's plan to protect its babies
Cause for controversy: What causes South East Asia's haze?Cause for controversy: What causes South East Asia's haze?
Indonesia 'needs time': Joko Widodo says he needs three years to tackle hazeIndonesia 'needs time': Joko Widodo says he needs three years to tackle haze
The government said in October that people caught flouting the law would face up to 10 years in jail.The government said in October that people caught flouting the law would face up to 10 years in jail.
But local farmers have said convictions are unlikely.But local farmers have said convictions are unlikely.
Many experts believe fires are likely to start up again when the rainy season ends in March.Many experts believe fires are likely to start up again when the rainy season ends in March.
President Joko Widodo recently told the BBC that it might take at least three years before the situation is under control.President Joko Widodo recently told the BBC that it might take at least three years before the situation is under control.
In a quarterly report the World Bank said Indonesia's forest fires and subsequent haze this year have cost the country "more than twice" the amount spent on reconstruction efforts after the 2004 Aceh tsunami.In a quarterly report the World Bank said Indonesia's forest fires and subsequent haze this year have cost the country "more than twice" the amount spent on reconstruction efforts after the 2004 Aceh tsunami.
The bank said the cost amounted to 1.9% of Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP), adding that regional and global costs would be much higher.The bank said the cost amounted to 1.9% of Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP), adding that regional and global costs would be much higher.
The fires have had a devastating impact on children and wildlife - including Indonesia's rare orang-utans.The fires have had a devastating impact on children and wildlife - including Indonesia's rare orang-utans.