4.4.9 APRIL's connections to ruling powers

Those in power in Indonesia have a central role in ensuring the preconditions for companies operations. Without oppression by the military and lack of democracy operations of APRIL or any other company creating widespread social problems would not be possible. If local population would be listened when granting concessions, most of the projects would not take place. On the other hand the military and the police guarantee that previous users of the concession areas do not disturb companies' operations. Even regardless of means of repression, killings and massacres (e.g. in Aceh, West Papua, East Timor) distress of ordinary people are so great that they demonstrate, try to stop expansion of plantations by interfering the companies' operations, converse industrial plantations back to their own plantations etc.

APRIL's connections to authorities are close. Sukanto Tanoto belongs to the elite of Indonesian Chinese businessmen that has established its business by utilising the regime of Suharto. This relationship is mutual.

When applying for a lucrative concession or licence, bribes are in many cases necessary. Civil government in Riau is said to be in the pay list of APRIL. Many quarters from academics to NGOs say that the governor chosen in the end of 1998 is bribed by APRIL. His predecessor was known for his favourable attitude towards companies. In the past the then minister of labour Cosmos Batubara has been nominated as an advisor of the Raja Garuda Mas group, to guarantee cheap labour for the mills according to some (SKEPHI 1997). APRIL's connections to civil rule are a touchy subject and documentation is hard to find.

Even more delicate subject is connections to the military. A rumour still not denied tells that many of the Indonesian managers of APRIL are former regular officers in the army. This is in fact a common situation in Indonesian companies. A clearer connection is the use of security forces e.g. in the case of Delik and arbitrary imprisonment of Manalu. Both of these cases were preceded by a sizeable donation to the police force of Riau. Representative of APRIL, Peter Jaya, handed over a computer, fax machines, Motorola receivers and transmitters, 5 Colt Diesel trucks, 10 motorcycles, 1 minibus etc. totalling about 500 million rupiah (200,000 USD) to Lieutenant General Lufti Dahlan in August 1997 (Tjahjono, no date). Representatives of UPM-Kymmene commented this saying that companies in Finland are sponsoring police as well - so why not in Indonesia (a meeting with representatives of UPM, Helsinki, March 25, 1998).

It is common to see representatives of APRIL joining negotiations with the locals together with representatives of army and police. For example in each one of the three negotiations over land compensations followed by the writer in the village of Kerinci in June-July 1998 there were different officers and men from the secret police present. Many of the companies exploiting Indonesia's natural resources could not operate without the oppressive regime. On the other hand without the companies the power elite could not grow wealthier. It is in interest of both that government ensuring cheap labour and peaceful working conditions stays in power. Support of UPM-Kymmene to APRIL is also direct support to the undemocratic system originating in Suharto's regime.