Illegal logging law may stop rape of forests

Illegal logging law may stop rape of forests

The government will issue a government regulation in lieu of
law (perpu) to deal with illegal logging in an emergency measure
to stop the rapid destruction of the nation's forests.

Minister of Forestry M. Prakosa said the new regulation would
become a special law on illegal logging outside the current
criminal law.

"Illegal logging has become an acute problem. Efforts to stop
illegal logging have been hampered by inadequate laws that cannot
provide a fast solution or proper punishment to the culprits,"
Prakosa said after a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The perpu will enable law enforcement officials to try illegal
loggers immediately after they are arrested, and will allow
authorities to confiscate materials used in the crime, including
any vehicles or boats used to transport illegally cut logs.

The regulation will also contain severe punishments for those
involved in illegal logging.

"All parties involved in illegal logging are considered forest
terrorists. That is why the punishments should match those for
terrorism," he said.

Prakosa said a team was now discussing the special law on
illegal logging, and expected it to be issued soon. -- JP