Jakarta, October 9, 2019-The Anti Forest Mafia Coalition has released a report finding violations of zero deforestation commitments by two pulp and paper producing giants in Indonesia-the Asia Pulp and Paper (APP)/Sinarmas Group and Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL). The two groups, in 2018, supplied wood material from a controversial source owned by one of the Djarum Group companies.

In 2013 and 2015, APP and APRIL both committed to stop the destruction of natural forests. After both claimed responsibility for clearing natural forests and peatlands in Indonesia over the past two decades, including the habitats of Orangutans and Sumatran Tigers.

Stemming from these findings, this report seeks to question the integrity of APP and APRIL's (zero deforestation) sustainability commitments, which were used as a tool to attract market interest that was lost after both groups committed human rights violations and environmental destruction. APP was even recently awarded Green Label certification in Singapore, and the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is considering bringing APP back after severing ties since 2007.

April's pulp products, meanwhile, are currently used by its affiliate company Sateri to produce textiles, which are reportedly purchased by major clothing retailers such as H&M and Zara. The Djarum Group is also currently building its own pulp industry in East Kalimantan. The company has yet to commit to not sourcing wood from deforestation, peatland destruction or exploitation of indigenous peoples/local communities.

The Anti Forest Mafia Coalition consists of a number of civil society organizations committed to raising awareness about corporate practices and government policies that threaten forests and peatlands, and also threaten the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

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For more information, please contact:

Syahrul Fitra, Auriga: syahrul@auriga.or.id

Nur Maliki Arifiandi, WWF-Indonesia: nmarifiandi@wwf.id

Aidil Fitri, Hutan Kita Institute: aidilplg@gmail.com

Sergio Baffoni, Environmental Paper Network: sergio.baffoni@environment.org