TNI officer caught with illegal logs

TNI officer caught with illegal logs

BANDA ACEH: The Aceh Martial Law Administration confirmed on
Friday the involvement of a middle-ranking Indonesian Military
(TNI) officer in illegal logging, which has reportedly become
more widespread since the imposition of martial law last year.

Deputy commander of operations Brig. Gen. Suroyo Gino caught
the officer in the act of guarding a dozen trucks transporting
illegal logs from Aceh Singkil to North Sumatra.

"The deputy commander, who was in Aceh Singkil, was suspicious
of the trucks and ordered his subordinates to stop the convoy.
The drivers could not show any permits and the officer was caught
in one of the trucks," said Col. Ditya Soedarsono, Aceh
administration spokesman.

The TNI officer was identified as Naz, a member of the
012/Teuku Umar military resort command in Meulaboh, West Aceh.

The trucks are being held by the military and the officer is
being interrogated, Ditya said, adding that the officer had
betrayed the military administration, which is conducting a
reforestation program across Aceh.

Ditya called on all military personnel to support the Aceh
military administration by observing all rules so as not to
disrupt operations.

Environmentalists have warned that the military operation in
Aceh has accelerated illegal logging in the province. -- Antara