15 Malaysians detained for illegal logging

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua

Bintuni Police subprecinct recently arrested 15 Malaysian nationals for illegal logging in Papua.

The 15 suspects were caught cutting down trees in a forest concession area of Tohiba subdistrict, without the permission of the Ministry of Forestry, a senior police official said on Friday.

The suspects were Ting Chek Kheng, Fung Mai chi, Chabu Anak Nyalu, Wong Jing Kong, Lau Ngee Kwei, Fong Chaw Ming, Sie Kee Ming, Jingan Anak Ngaleh, Nyaring Anak Kana, Belitang Anak Bayang, Lanang Anak Ujan, Ting Sik Huang, Ting Tiew Chuong, Thomas Anak Labang and Kong Chin Fook.

Spokesman of the Papua Police, Sr. Comr. Daud Sihombing, said in Jayapura that the suspects were arrested on Sunday after local residents had tipped-off the police.

The 15 people were transported to Sorong and are now being held at the police headquarters there. From Bintuni, the boat trip to Sorong takes 20 hours.

The suspects were originally hired by logging company PT Marindo Utama Jaya in Bintuni, to clear nearby forest in Wasiri, Fartanai, Tohiba, East Bintuni and Korano Jaya subdistricts.

The police also confiscated more than 10,000 merbau (timber trees) logs, three small boats and various kinds of logging equipment, such as sawmills. "The heavy machinery was imported from Malaysia," said Sihombing.

Police were still looking for the prime suspect in the case, Wong Sie Khing, the president director of PT Marindo Utama Jaya.

Illegal logging is rampant in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua. The last Malaysian national arrested for illegal logging in Papua was Lee Wah Kai, in December of last year.