Mobs loot teak trees

SEMARANG: Hundreds of locals have chopped down and stolen around 3,500 teak trees from forests around Randegan and Jeruk villages in Losari, Brebes, Central Java, over the past three days.

"After parts of the forests were cleared, they planted plots with corn, peanuts and soybeans," Brebes regent Moh. Tajuddin Nuraly said on Thursday.

People from Cirebon in West Java also took part in the looting, he said.

The teak forests cover 600 hectares of land.

"The forest police and officials cannot do much about it as they are outnumbered by the looters, including housewives and children. They did not even feel scared when police fired warning shots," the regent said.

The group used electric chain saws and axes in their illegal activities, he said. A joint team from the forest ministry, the military and the police has been set up to take action against the looters. (har/edt)