Men caught stealing seeds

BOGOR (JP): A researcher at the Bogor Botanical Garden caught two men attempting to steal seeds from a protected Marashi (Cassiafistula) tree on Tuesday.

The head of the garden's security guards, Syamsudin, identified the suspects as Hamdan, 30, a resident of the Bojong Gede district in Bekasi, and Ahmad Junaedi, 34, a resident of Gunung Sahari in North Jakarta.

According to Syamsuddin, Hamdan and Ahmad scaled a fence surrounding the garden and climbed a Marashi tree located on the bank of the Ciliwung River which runs through the garden.

But a researcher at the garden, Suhendar, spotted the suspects and alerted security guards.

"There were some 50 seeds in a sack. Ahmad said the seeds were to be planted in Bojong Gede and the trees sold to people in Jakarta," Syamsuddin said.

The head of the garden's scientific services, Sugiarti, said the 20-year-old Marashi tree was one of the garden's protected trees. The tree is becoming rare in West Java, but is still abundant in East Java, he said.

"The flower is very beautiful, similar to golden shower orchids," Sugiarti said, adding that a one to two-meter tall Marashi tree could sell for Rp 20,000 (US$2).(21)