GAPKI and PWI hold workshop to support Indonesian palm oil industry

The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) and the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) held a collaborative workshop in Yogyakarta to strengthen synergy in educating the public about sustainable palm oil management.

GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono highlighted the industry's role as a national economic backbone and its use in local sectors, such as the batik industry. However, he raised concerns regarding regulatory challenges, specifically the ‘strict liability’ clause in Law No. 32 of 2009. Martono noted that companies are often held automatically liable for forest and land fires even if the fire originates outside their concession areas, and he proposed an addendum to provide exceptions during extreme weather conditions.

PWI Chairman Akhmad Munir emphasized the media's role in providing factual information to counter global ‘black campaigns’ that target Indonesia's palm oil industry by using environmental and labor issues to discredit national management.