Jambi demands reforestation funds

JAKARTA: As natural forests in Jambi continue to disappear due to illegal logging, Jambi governor Zulkifli Nurdin asked President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Wednesday to immediately disburse reforestation funds to the province.

"Reforestation funds have not reached Jambi, while our forests continue to decline," Zulkifli told reporters after meeting the president at the State Palace.

The governor said illegal logging remained rampant in the province, with the plundered timber filling 500 trucks every night.

Indonesia has 120 million hectares of natural forest, 1.6 million hectares of which lie in Jambi.

Zulkifli complained that investigations of illegal loggers, who were allegedly backed by military or police officers, often came to a dead end due to a lack of evidence.

In response to the governor's report, Megawati said she would instruct the National Police to launch a thorough investigation.

As for the reforestation funds, Megawati said she would convey Zulkifli's message to Boediono, the finance minister, and M. Prakosa, the forestry minister. -- JP