We Would NEVER Do That! - Malaysian Plantations Deny Burning In Indonesia

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KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) Aug 17, 2005 - Malaysian firms operating plantations on Indonesia's Sumatra island have denied responsibility for the open burning that has caused a haze crisis in Malaysia and Thailand.

Indonesia's forestry ministry said Monday that eight out of 10 plantation firms accused of burning to clear land for cultivation are Malaysian-owned, and that officials faced up to 15 years in jail if found guilty. Malaysian Plantations Minister Peter Chin met Tuesday with top managers from 18 companies operating in Indonesia, and said they all denied using slash-and-burn techniques.

"They have given me a reasonable explanation and I am quite happy with that," Chin said, according to the official Bernama news agency, adding that the companies insisted oil palm crops were fruiting and did not need clearing.

The minister said some of the plantation managers had accused smallholders on the fringes of the plantations of conducting open burning, and that this had led to the blame falling on the estates.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/2005/050817052153.kfdktg4v.html