Indonesia defends logging allegations against Malaysia

Indonesia defends logging allegations against Malaysia

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government stood by its move on Monday to ask the European
Union (EU) to stop importing wood products from Malaysia, saying
that it was based on strong indications that its wood products
were made from illegally-felled Indonesian timber.

Foreign affairs ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said the
allegations that Malaysia and Singapore were importing illegal
logs from Indonesia were based on factual conditions in the
field.

"The remarks were referring to factual conditions that appear
to strongly indicate the existence of such practices," said
Marty, referring to a statement made by forestry minister M.
Prakosa that illegal logs smuggled out of the country were being
brought to Singapore and Malaysia.

Following Prakosa's remarks, Malaysian primary industries
minister Lim Keng Yaik said that his government would send a
diplomatic protest to Jakarta.

The Malaysian minister said as quoted by Bernama that
Indonesia should not blame others for its own failure to curb
illegal logging.

Marty said his ministry had not yet received any diplomatic
notes from Malaysia, and gave assurances that there would not be
a diplomatic row with the neighboring country.

He underlined that illegal logging involved not just the
country of origin, but also receiving countries that used the
logs.

According to Marty, Jakarta did not mean to put the blame on
other countries for the illegal logging taking place in
Indonesia, but was simply noting that all the countries involved
had to do their part to stop the illegal activity.

"This is not meant as a charge against any country, but we
need special attention from all countries regarding the processes
involved in illegal logging," he said.

Marty was commenting on a reported plan by Malaysia to send a
protest note to Jakarta over allegations that most wood-related
products from Malaysia were illegally derived.

Indonesia has repeatedly asked neighboring countries Malaysia
and Singapore to stop accepting illegal logs from Indonesia.

Both countries have yet to sign an agreement with Indonesia to
minimize the trade in illegal logs.

Indonesia has signed agreements with the EU and China under
which they have agreed to reject all goods made from illegal logs
or logs coming from dubious sources.

China used to be the biggest consumer of illegal logs from
Indonesia, but has since agreed to combat the crime and stop the
flow of the logs.

"We know that we have to put our own house in order. There is
a great deal that the Indonesian government has to do to put an
end to these illegal activities," Marty said.

"However, all relevant countries should also accept their
responsibilities in stopping the illegal trade," he said.