Minister suspects illegal chain saw sales

Minister suspects illegal chain saw sales

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo
suspects many chain saws are still being used illegally and sold
illegally to the public despite a government crackdown.

The minister said he had received reports that many illegally
owned chain saws had been confiscated. But he suspected the chain
saws would have to be returned to their owners.

"I'm not yet satisfied with the outcome of the crackdown," he
was quoted by Antara as saying Tuesday.

The government has restricted the use and ownership of chain
saws in an effort to curb wood theft.

He said Ministry of Forestry decree of Oct. 4, 1995
stipulated chain saws could be sold only to concessionaires,
owners of industrial timber estates and of forest clearing
permits.

Craft industries and government agencies which cut down trees
can also own chain saws.

The decree obliges chain saw sellers to record buyers' names
addresses and data on chain saws sold.

Sellers should report on to whom chain saws have been sold to
the appointed forestry office each month.

If the sale is outside Java, the record of buyers should be
delivered to the provincial forestry office and its branches. If
the sale is in Java, the records should be delivered to state
forestry company Perhutani.

Buyers have to report that they own chain saws to the
appointed forestry agencies.

Only chain saw owners are permitted to use them. Their
employees may use chain saws provided they have a letter of
assignment from the owner.

Any sale or transfer of ownership of chain saws should be
reported.

Owners are allowed to lease their chain saws only to those who
have a right to use it. (jsk)