TNI forms team to probe forest crime

TNI forms team to probe forest crime

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Military (TNI) has set up a special
joint team with the police and prosecutors in a bid to help speed
up investigations into the alleged involvement of military
officials and law enforcers in illegal logging activities in the
country.

Deputy chief of the military police Brig. Gen. Hendardji said
on Thursday that the joint team would also investigate civilian
officials involved in the crime.

He believed that certain officials from the Ministry of
Forestry were also involved in illegal logging as the ministry
provides the green light for people to conduct logging
activities.

The fight against the rampant illegal logging here received a
strong boost after a joint investigation by local and foreign
non-governmental organizations uncovered a massive smuggling
operation of illegal timber out of Papua mainly to China. --Antara