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