Govt ready to jail illegal loggers

JAKARTA: The Minister for Forestry M. Prakosa confirmed on Wednesday that the government would immediately arrest 12 people believed to be the masterminds of illegal logging as soon as the president signs the regulation in lieu of law on illegal logging.

"I expect the regulation to come out next week at the latest, and we'll take direct action on those people because we already know who they are," he said after opening a woodworking and forestry exhibition on Wednesday.

He refused to reveal the identity of the suspects, but quickly added that if convicted they could face the death penalty, the maximum punishment under the new regulation.

Prakosa said that the draft had been approved during a Cabinet meeting on April 11, and it was currently in the office of the state secretary for a finalization.

The regulation orders the formation of an independent body with the authority to investigate and indict illegal loggers.

The body will also involve the prosecutor's office, the police, and the Indonesian Military.

The regulation also stipulates the establishment of an ad hoc court consisting of five judges. The judges will be picked by the Supreme Court as soon as the regulation materializes. --JP