Law enforcers told to focus on illegal logging, fishing

Law enforcers told to focus on illegal logging, fishing

JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's office, which has been
preoccupied by the massive loan scandal at the government-owned
Bapindo for the past six months, has been told to take a look at
the forestry and fishing industries where there are reports of
problems that are as just as serious.

The order came directly from President Soeharto who reportedly
believes that the government is losing a lot of money from
illegal logging and fishing.

"President Soeharto said that we should pay attention to these
two problems. We must not be overwhelmed by the bank scandal,"
Attorney General Singgih told reporters on Saturday.

Singgih held a press conference at his office on Saturday to
answer questions about the activities of his office. He was
accompanied by eight high ranking officials.

The order to look into the forestry and fishing sectors came
as the Attorney General's office was preparing to prosecute three
more people in connection with the Rp 1.3 trillion ($620 million)
Bapindo scandal, in addition to the two already underway. The
government has already won the conviction of one of the suspects
in the corruption trials.

Many banking experts and economists say that the Bapindo
scandal may be the tip of the iceberg and that the many other
corporate loans handed out by government own banks could also
potentially turn sour.

Singgih said on Saturday that the losses from illegal logging
and illegal fishing could run into the billions of rupiah each
year. "They have reached worrisome levels and should be tackled
immediately."

Singgih said that, according to the Ministry of Forestry, the
number of stolen logs over the past year reached seven million
cubic meters worth about Rp 225 billion.

He said he had ordered all prosecutor offices in the country
to go after the loggers and the syndicates behind them.

Special legislation

The government might even consider slapping special crime
legislation against those arrested to obtain the most punitive
terms, he said without giving any details.

In the past, there has been special legislation to tackle
specific types of crime, such as smuggling and drug dealing.
These crimes have been prosecuted under the so-called 'subversive
law' which carries the maximum death penalty for offenders.

Singgih said the government is resolved to protect its
forestry industry because wood-based products are among the
country's main export commodities along with textile and
garments.

The Attorney General said the government is also losing huge
potential revenues from illegal fishing carried out either by
foreign or local fishermen.

The Navy has promised to cooperate in cracking down on illegal
fishing in Indonesian waters, he said, adding that the Navy is
scheduled to make a presentation at the Attorney General office
on Wednesday about its patrolling activities. (05)