Joint forces for integrity in Indonesia’s forestry sector

Indonesia has one of the worlds’ largest areas of rainforest. Its forests mitigate the country’s carbon footprint, they are a vital element of Indonesian society and culture, and, through forestry and upstream industries, sustain the livelihoods of millions. However, Indonesian forestry is often closely associated with corruption and bribery, leading to unsustainable practices, illegal deforestation, inequitable profit distribution, and land, labour and human rights violations. To raise awareness of these issues and support Indonesian forestry SMEs in combatting corruption, Alliance for Integrity hosted its first Dari Usaha Ke Usaha (DUKU) Forestry Training, which was held on 22 February in Jakarta.

The event was co-hosted with the GIZ project “Corruption Prevention in Forestry Sector” and supported by the Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires (APHI). Francisca Silalahi, Principal Advisor of CPFS, and Erwansyah as the Deputy Chairperson for Legal, Public Relations and Cooperation of the APHI kicked off the training course. Both experts highlighted the significance of the forestry sector for livelihood and the fact that collaboration is the only way to create fair business practices. Erwansyah added that integrity is the key for entrepreneurs to achieve an efficient, effective, as well as competitive business. Faiza Hasan, Focal Point of Alliance for Integrity Indonesia, moderated the session.

Yanto Sidik Pratiknyo, Alliance for Integrity trainer from Indonesia Business Links (IBL), commenced the first session in which he laid out the basics of compliance by explaining definitions for the participants to have collective understanding of what corruption is. Participants were already actively involved by asking questions and giving opinions since this opening session. According to Yanto Sidik Pratiknyo, proportionality in giving hospitality is the fundamental basis in recognizing which act falls into corruption and which not. 

Adriana Wahyu Kusuma, Compliance Manager at Daimler Commercial Vehicles Indonesia, opened the second session of the training. Owing to personal encounter with act of integrity, she clarified the definition of integrity. “Integrity is how we do something the correct way in light of policy, culture, morale, and character.” She also made a very impactful statement on compliance, in which she said, “Compliance system in our business is the weapon in eradicating corruption globally, because it will act to our advantage when a cross-border regulation is implemented.” Before finishing off her session, Adriana Wahyu Kusuma suggested businesses to implement a whistleblowing system as evidence that they are serious not only about combating corruption but also in protecting their employees.

Royani Lim from Bhumiksara Foundation wrapped up the training. Thanking all participants for joining, she zoomed in on the participants’ role as agents of change and stressed that change starts with intention.