15 Malaysians detained for illegal logging<\/p>\n
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua<\/p>\n
Bintuni Police subprecinct recently arrested 15 Malaysian
\nnationals for illegal logging in Papua.<\/p>\n
The 15 suspects were caught cutting down trees in a forest
\nconcession area of Tohiba subdistrict, without the permission of
\nthe Ministry of Forestry, a senior police official said on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
The suspects were Ting Chek Kheng, Fung Mai chi, Chabu Anak
\nNyalu, Wong Jing Kong, Lau Ngee Kwei, Fong Chaw Ming, Sie Kee
\nMing, Jingan Anak Ngaleh, Nyaring Anak Kana, Belitang Anak
\nBayang, Lanang Anak Ujan, Ting Sik Huang, Ting Tiew Chuong,
\nThomas Anak Labang and Kong Chin Fook.<\/p>\n
Spokesman of the Papua Police, Sr. Comr. Daud Sihombing, said
\nin Jayapura that the suspects were arrested on Sunday after local
\nresidents had tipped-off the police.<\/p>\n
The 15 people were transported to Sorong and are now being
\nheld at the police headquarters there. From Bintuni, the boat
\ntrip to Sorong takes 20 hours.<\/p>\n
The suspects were originally hired by logging company PT
\nMarindo Utama Jaya in Bintuni, to clear nearby forest in Wasiri,
\nFartanai, Tohiba, East Bintuni and Korano Jaya subdistricts.<\/p>\n
The police also confiscated more than 10,000 merbau (timber
\ntrees) logs, three small boats and various kinds of logging
\nequipment, such as sawmills. \"The heavy machinery was imported
\nfrom Malaysia,\" said Sihombing.<\/p>\n
Police were still looking for the prime suspect in the case,
\nWong Sie Khing, the president director of PT Marindo Utama Jaya.<\/p>\n
Illegal logging is rampant in Indonesia's easternmost province
\nof Papua. The last Malaysian national arrested for illegal
\nlogging in Papua was Lee Wah Kai, in December of last year.<\/p>",
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