Two plywood firms accused of illegal trading
Two plywood firms accused of illegal trading
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo
said yesterday that there have been "strong indications" of
illegal timber trade and smuggling by two large plywood
companies, PT SM and PT NP in Gresik, East Java.
Djamaludin in a press conference yesterday said the findings
were reported after a special Joint Team for Forest Security
conducted a two-week investigation during the Aug. 4 to Aug. 19
period.
"As a result, 12,000 cubic meters of logs worth approximately
US$960,000 and a number of counterfeit logging documents have
been confiscated," he said.
Djamaludin said 15 people -- from the two companies, as well
as from three concessionaires and local government offices --
allegedly involved in the scam, have been questioned.
The dossiers on the case, he added, have also been completed.
"We hope to show them that at this time the government is not
fooling around. We are implementing Presidential Decree No.
22/1995 on the Joint Team for Forest Security and we are serious
in handling such illegal actions," Djamaludin said.
Joint team
The Joint Team for Forest Security involves government
officials from the Ministry of Forestry, police and attorney
offices and members of the Armed Forces.
The team was established to monitor log trade and distribution
and has the authority to take legal action against offenders on
the spot.
"It is very disappointing to see the concessionaires and
plywood companies disobey the trust which the government has
given to them, that is to manage forests in a sustainable manner.
These companies well know how and what to report about the timber
they receive or procure," he said.
Djamaludin said, however, that a number of local officials of
his forestry and other related offices, were also to blame
because several of them -- including those in the Joint Forest
Security Team -- were found to "encourage, ignore or take part"
in the illegal practices.
"This shows that collusion (between private concessionaires
and government officials) is at a very serious level," he said.
Djamaludin, who was accompanied by Inspector General Hariadi
Darmawan yesterday, said that if any of his subordinates were
found to have accepted money from the two companies, "the
ministry will not stay still".
The ministry's officials suspected to be involved in the case,
he said, have not gone under further investigation.
Djamaludin acknowledged that the illegal trade, distribution
and smuggling of logs were caused by the lack of monitoring
activities at strategic points, such as river mouths and harbors;
lack of security officials and patrolmen; lack of dedicated field
officials and supervisors at all levels and sectors; loopholes in
local administration regulations which either allow such actions
to occur or are inconsistent with regulations of the forestry
ministry; and lack of severe penalties to punish wrongdoers.
"The evidence and involved parties are clear. Now it is up to
the Ministry of Forestry to proceed," he said.
Djamaludin said the illegal timber would be used for low-cost
housing and none would be auctioned. (pwn)