MPR proposes a decree on natural resources management

The People?s Consultative Assembly (MPR), the country?s highest legislative body, has proposed a decree on the management of natural resources which will observe the cultural rights of the local people in the exploitation of resources.

The MPR starts its annual session Thursday.

Lawmaker Husni Thamrin told reporters that the decree would help prevent future conflict between local people and investors exploiting natural resources.

?Mining or oil and gas activities have often be in conflict with the local people. One of the reason is because the cultural rights of the local people has often been neglected. With this MPR decree, we expect such problem will no longer occur in the future,? Husni said.

He said that with the decree, mining in protected forest could be allowed by taking advantage of technology which would avoid the destruction of the environment.

He said that if the proposed decree becomes effective, all rulings contradictive to the decree should be dropped or revised.(Arry)