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)