By: Ciptanti Putri

Ario Bayu, a talented Indonesian film actor who is also a WWF Orangutan Warrior, stars in a public service announcement (PSA) themed on anti-corruption in the forestry sector. The PSA, released today (8/12), was produced by the Strengthening, Integrity and Accountability Program II (SIAP II) consortium in conjunction with Indonesia Anti-Corruption Day (HAKI) 2014.

WWF-Indonesia is one of the organizations that joined the consortium, in addition to Transparency International Indonesia and the Indonesian Working Group on Forest Finance. "In line with SIAP's mission to strengthen the capacity of civil society, media, and public officials in realizing better management of the forestry sector, we produced this PSA in order to remind the public about corruption and money laundering practices that occur in the forestry sector," said Dyah Ekarini, SIAP II Communication & Media Coordinator, after the filming session which took place in a shop in West Jakarta. "We invite the wider community not to turn a blind eye and not ignore corrupt practices in the forestry sector because of the adverse impact on the sustainability of our forests."

Rini continued, WWF-Indonesia since three years ago did not hesitate to join the consortium because it indicated corrupt practices in this sector as one of the roots of forest destruction in Indonesia. Through SIAP, WWF-Indonesia speaks directly to civil society around the forest area, to companies that run forestry businesses, to the government and the media, to jointly oversee the various frauds that occur.

Meanwhile, Ario Bayu expressed his full support for public awareness efforts on this issue because according to him corruption must be eliminated and even eradicated, both in the forestry sector and in other sectors of life. "Corruption in the forestry sector is related to the wasteful and unwise consumption patterns of the people. Due to the high demand for various products whose ingredients come from the forest, opportunities are created for industry players and policy makers to be dishonest in the practice of managing the forestry sector," said this nature enthusiast. According to him, people who live near forest areas as well as those who live in urban areas are obliged to monitor and report any fraudulent practices in this sector. "We and other living creatures need forests. Without forests, wildlife will soon become extinct so that the ecosystem on earth will be disrupted."

Considering corruption as a substantive matter that needs to be fought because it has a destructive impact, this dark-skinned man who studied theater in America advised that each individual should not hesitate to act by being economical in consuming wood-based products. "Choose certified products. If you see or know of corrupt practices in the forestry sector, report it immediately. Corruption is the root of forest destruction. We must stop it," he concluded.