Govt to crack down on illegal logging

YOGYAKARTA: Minister of Forestry Malam Sambat Kaban said the government would launch an intensive crackdown on illegal logging next week in Kalimantan and Papua.

He said illegal loggers would be charged under four laws: the Criminal Code, the Environment Law, the Money Laundering Law, and the Tax Law.

The joint operation would target those involved in the crime, ranging from field players to businessmen behind the illegal logging.

He claimed the Malaysian authorities had thrown their support behind the raids and had vowed to stop access and distribution of illegal logs to the country. -- JP