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.