Environmental group Greenpeace International called on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to strengthen legislation to protect all peatland and forests in the country.

“President SBY’s legacy risks going up in smoke unless he strengthens legislation to protect all peatland and forests,” said Bustar Maitar, head of the Indonesia Forest Campaign at Greenpeace International.

Greenpeace also called on the President to amend regulations on peatland, which thus far had failed to set out a coherent approach to protect and manage all peatland.

Bustar said that a comprehensive approach could be a critical defence against peatland fires and Indonesia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenpeace International issued the statement in response to Yudhoyono’s keynote speech at the Forests Asia Summit.

In his speech, Yudhoyono called for balancing a “green” economy with economic growth, including a call on his successor to extend again the moratorium on deforestation.