RIAU Governor, Rusli Zaenal, is a bold person. When still the Regent of Indragiri Hilir, he violated Forestry Minister’s Decree on Forest Timber Exploitation Licenses. The permits for forest exploitation which should have been awarded for empty or grassland were given over natural forests.

He also violated government regulations on the authority of local government heads who permitted tree-felling operations, which was revoked on June 8, 2002