Jambi wants return of auction earnings

JAMBI, Jambi: Jambi Governor Zulkifli has demanded the central government return around Rp 17 billion (US$1.96 million) in earnings from the auction of confiscated illegal logs.

"We have several times asked the Ministry of Forestry to return the funds, but there has been no response so far from Jakarta," he said here on Tuesday.

Zulkifli said the central government could return at least half of the amount to Jambi to preserve forests there, which have been seriously damaged by illegal loggers.

He said Jambi was entitled to the funds because they belonged to the province.

The governor said the funds were generated from three years of operations against illegal logging activities in Jambi. --Antara