Malaysians arrested for illegal logging<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Six Malaysians and two Indonesians have been arrested by the
\npolice for illegal logging in the country's easternmost province
\nof Papua.<\/p>\n
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said on
\nThursday that all the suspects were arrested in Papua while
\nevidence had been seized in Papua and in Semarang, Central Java.<\/p>\n
The Malaysians were identified as Chang Wing Lok, Mook Sui
\nSiong, Law Siew King, Law Chen King, Kong Wang Hing and Wong Sing
\nHo, while their two Indonesian accomplices were Suparman Saragih
\nand Agus Salim.<\/p>\n
The six Malaysians are now being detained at National Police
\nHeadquarters in Jakarta, while their Indonesian accomplices are
\nstill being held in Papua.<\/p>\n
The evidence seized consisted of, among other things, two
\nvessels, 722 illegal logs confiscated in Papua and 533 illegal
\nlogs seized in Semarang.<\/p>\n
\"After we carried out the operation on Aug. 3, we had to chase
\nthe vessels carrying illegal logs as far as Semarang as they
\nescaped our cordon in Papua,\" Aritonang said.<\/p>\n
\"This is an organized crime.\"<\/p>\n
According to Aritonang, illegal logging had reportedly being
\noccurring in the forestry concession of PT Rimba Kayu Arthamas in
\nMerdey district, Bintuni regency, Papua.<\/p>\n
\"PT Rimba Kayu complained to us about the illegal logging by
\nthe suspects,\" Aritonang said.<\/p>\n
He said the suspects would be charged with illegal logging and
\nvisa violations.<\/p>\n
Unauthorized logging is prohibited by Law No 41\/1999 on
\nForestry, while visa offenses are covered by Law No 9\/1992 on
\nImmigration and the Criminal Code.<\/p>\n
However, since the rolling out of local autonomy in 2001,
\nillegal logging has been increasing across the country due to
\ninability, or unwillingness, of local administrations to enforce
\nthe prevailing laws.<\/p>\n
Aritonang went on to say that the police were still seeking
\nthree other suspects -- Jhon Leimena, Lau Wen, and Lau Woo.<\/p>\n
Illegal logging has been rampant in Indonesia's forests since
\na virtual breakdown in law and order in 1998 following the fall
\nof former iron-fisted ruler Soeharto.<\/p>\n
To date, the government has been unable to tackle the illicit
\nbusiness, which is estimated to inflict losses on the state of as
\nmuch as Rp 30 trillion (US$3.5 million) per year.<\/p>\n
Various environmental disasters, such as landslides, mudslides
\nand flash floods, frequently occur in Indonesia due to unchecked
\nillegal logging.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysians-arrested-for-illegal-logging-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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