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