Jambi wants return of auction earnings

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