Megawati on illegal logging<\/p>\n
Speaking at the inauguration of a new bridge in Riau,
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri said the government could
\nstop illegal logging if law enforcers were sincere in their
\nefforts.<\/p>\n
Law enforcers had been enticed by money and often protected
\nillegal loggers rather than arresting them, according to the
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
Who did the President mean by law enforcers? It must be the
\npolice and forest rangers. While in those areas along the border
\nwith neighboring countries, the law enforcers are the police and
\nthe military. Prosecutors and judges are also responsible for the
\nlegal proceedings against those suspected of illegal logging.<\/p>\n
The President also claimed that she knew exactly the
\nbureaucratic paths of smuggled illegal logs, but she said she was
\nin a dilemmatic position. First, because the law enforcers, who
\nare supposed to prevent illegal logging and smuggling, are
\ncorrupt and part of the illegal logging syndicate. Second, if all
\nthe officials in question were replaced, there would be no
\nguarantee that their successors would be clean and tough against
\nsmuggling.<\/p>\n
Megawati's statements obviously evoked questions about how it
\nis the government knows and acknowledges the smuggling of
\nillegally cut logs, involving officials at the central government
\nlevel, but takes no significant action to stop the practice.<\/p>\n
Why doesn't the President have the courage to take tough
\nmeasures against those involved in cutting and smuggling logs?
\nThe government should take stern action against those found
\nbreaking the law.<\/p>\n
Megawati's administration has shown its weakness in deciding
\nforestry policies. Illegal logging is a huge disaster, but the
\ngovernment makes excuses, merely saying that many officials are
\ninvolved in the crime.<\/p>\n
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-on-illegal-logging-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }