"APP-linked guards surrender after murder", 4 March 2015

Seven security guards of PT Wirakarya Sakti (WKS), a pulpwood supplier for giant Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), have surrendered to the police after allegedly beating a farmer to death in Jambi...The guards, who were members of the quick response unit (URC) contracted by PT WKS, reportedly fled the scene after beating the farmer, Indra Pelani, to death...near an acacia plantation by the company’s Kembar 803 post in Tebo regency, Jambi. Indra, a member of the Tebo Farmers’ Union, and his friend Nick Karim of the Jambi branch of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) had passed the post on a motorcycle and got into an argument with the URC team members. Indra was grabbed and beaten by the guards while Nick was aided by locals. Indra died during the incident and his body was dumped 5 kilometers from the company’s District 8 area.

APP, a member of the Sinar Mas Group of companies, said...that it had ordered WKS to suspend all personnel allegedly involved in the incident. “We condemn violence and we support Greenpeace’s decision to focus its efforts on this issue,” it said, adding that efforts would be made “to ensure justice is served”.