Illegal logging unchallenged: NGO

Illegal logging unchallenged: NGO

JAMBI, Jambi: Despite strong evidence, few if any people have
stood trial for log smuggling, casting further doubt over
anyone's seriousness to address the destructive process.

"The names of the smugglers have been disclosed by loggers
arrested by law enforcers, but they remain untouchable," Forest
Savior Forum (FPH) coordinator Donny Pasaribu said on Tuesday.

FPH date showed the bulk of the smuggling cases were
unresolved or unclear, he said.

"There have been no statements from the law enforcers about
whether the cases are being processed .... The public has no
access to information showing whether the suspects were sent to
jail, fined or acquitted."

Cases included the disappearance of hundreds of cubic meters
of logs delivered to PT PSUT Sarang Burung Jambi and the
discovery of 800 illegal logs belonging to businessman Sihong.

Donny said investigators used a range of excuses, including
that they could not find the owners or smugglers of the logs
disclosed by the arrested loggers. -- Antara