Indonesia to Get Tougher on Illegal Logging
Copyright 2000 Asia Pulse Pte Limited
October 4, 2000
The government says it will take firm steps against illegal logging and that the 20 alleged perpetrators will be charged.
The announcement came after reports that Indonesia's donor consortium threatened to reduce financial aid if it failed to take steps to preserve its tropical forests.
Indonesia made an eight-point commitment to preserving its forests when it received a loan from the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) last year.
The donor consortium, which will convene in Toyko later this month, is expected to ask for a progress report on the implementation of the commitment.
Junior Minister for forestry Nurmahmudi Ismail indicated the government failed to fully meet its commitment because of political and economic instability.
Suripto, the secretary general of the forestry and agriculture ministry said the names of the 20 companies involved in illegal logging would be made public and their cases will be handed over to police.
"I will talk to police and ask them to arrest the people whose names included in the list I have in my hand," he said, but refusing to give a name.
He said those involved in illegal logging generally had timber processing factories.