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