An environmental organisation has welcomed Indonesia's three year moratorium on new palm oil developments but says more needs to be done.
Mighty Earth's director for South East Asia Phil Aikman says while the presidential instruction carries some weight it is not legally binding and only applies to areas controlled by the central government.
Mr Aikman says this means a lot of existing palm oil operations, including in Papua Province, who have already got their permits will continue to operate in Indonesia.
However he told Koroi Hawkins it is as a step in the right direction.
Forest clearance and oil palm plantation in Bairaman, Papua New Guinea. Photo: Global Witness
