13/07/2010 (TEMPO Interactive), Jakarta - The Forestry Production Management director-general, Hadi Daryanto, denied the news that the forest conversion moratorium to make way for palm oil plantation was extended from two years to five years. The moratorium is linked to the letter of intent (LoI) between Indonesia and Norway.

“There is no extension,” Hadi told Tempo yesterday. The moratorium will still be implemented for two years, from 2011 until 2013. However, Hadi would not mention the location of the implementation. “It is being formulated and will be completed soon,” he said.

The Indonesian Bio-fuel Producer Association (Aprobi) secretary-general, Paulus Tjakrawan, said he had heard of the government’s plan to extend the contract. “Whether it is extended or not, what is important is that the regulation is fair for the country and the people,” he stressed.