M'sians nabbed for illegal logging

JAKARTA: National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday the police have arrested 15 Malaysians for their alleged involvement in illegal logging in Papua.

"Illegal logging has been discovered in Papua and we have arrested 15 Malaysians allegedly involved in the activity," Da'i told a hearing with the House of Representatives.

Police, he said, had caught red-handed the foreigners felling trees in a restricted area.

He added the police had carried out operations to curb rampant illegal logging in Kalimantan over the past year.

Despite his explanation, some members of House Commission II for home and legal affairs reprimanded the police for lacking the commitment to eradicate illegal logging.

They said illegal logging was widespread across the country because perpetrators received protection from police officers. -- Antara