Walhi Hopes President Will Guarantee No Forest Fires In Riau

Pekanbaru, Riau, Nov 24 (Antara) - The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) is optimistic that in the future, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will solve the problem of peatland and forest fires in Riau. "We hope President Jokowi will be the first president who will be able to guarantee that there will be no more forest fires in Riau," Riau branch of Walhi Director Riko Kurniawan affirmed here on Monday. Riko noted that the recurring cases of peatland and forest fires in Riau since the past 17 years should be addressed comprehensively by not issuing any further forest management permits or moratorium to any company. "If there is no firm stance and guarantee, it will be impossible for Riau to be free from peat and forest fires in the future," Riko noted in his response to President Jokowi`s plan to visit Riau on Wednesday.