Megawati on illegal logging

Megawati on illegal logging

Speaking at the inauguration of a new bridge in Riau, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said the government could stop illegal logging if law enforcers were sincere in their efforts.

Law enforcers had been enticed by money and often protected illegal loggers rather than arresting them, according to the President.

Who did the President mean by law enforcers? It must be the police and forest rangers. While in those areas along the border with neighboring countries, the law enforcers are the police and the military. Prosecutors and judges are also responsible for the legal proceedings against those suspected of illegal logging.

The President also claimed that she knew exactly the bureaucratic paths of smuggled illegal logs, but she said she was in a dilemmatic position. First, because the law enforcers, who are supposed to prevent illegal logging and smuggling, are corrupt and part of the illegal logging syndicate. Second, if all the officials in question were replaced, there would be no guarantee that their successors would be clean and tough against smuggling.

Megawati's statements obviously evoked questions about how it is the government knows and acknowledges the smuggling of illegally cut logs, involving officials at the central government level, but takes no significant action to stop the practice.

Why doesn't the President have the courage to take tough measures against those involved in cutting and smuggling logs? The government should take stern action against those found breaking the law.

Megawati's administration has shown its weakness in deciding forestry policies. Illegal logging is a huge disaster, but the government makes excuses, merely saying that many officials are involved in the crime.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta