The Riau Police have dismissed reports the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will take over illegal logging cases in the province, saying both institutions are involved in investigating the cases.
"The KPK and Riau Police are sharing the tasks. The KPK will deal with the corruption aspects of the cases, while the police will handle environmental destruction. The KPK will thoroughly process every case that has indications of graft, such as misappropriation of forestry resource funds," Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Sutjiptadi told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
According to Sutjiptadi, illegal logging cases in Riau have not been concluded because police have not been able to examine several officials who had issued licenses.
Officials include those at the regent, mayor and governor levels as well as at the ministerial level.
"We are still waiting for the President's approval. That's the difference between the police and the KPK -- they don't need permission from the President to question state officials," he said.
The Riau Police have yet to probe cases involving 14 companies, implicating 125 suspects, of whom 65 are company managers, 35 are forestry office employees, 21 are officials who had issued timber licenses and four are environmental impact consultants.
Police could not investigate cases involving the 14 companies because they are connected to the officials who had issued permits.
Sutjiptadi declined to name the high-ranking officials and governor whom had been listed as suspects in providing the licenses, but he did not deny Pelalawan Regent Azmun Ja'afar was one of them.
"Although he is being held by the KPK, police have to get permission from the President to conduct investigations," he added.
Vice speaker of Commission B at the Riau legislature, Hikmani, has prompted Riau Police to be proactive in handling the cases, such as by asking the President for permission.
He said everyone had to be treated the same before the law regardless of his or her rank and status.
"The Riau legislature fully supports the eradication of illegal logging in Riau in line with the existing law. The legislature also backs the police in investigating heads of provinces who issued permits illegally," Hikmani said.
Sutjiptadi said it was not clear why the President's permission had not yet been granted.
"We have requested it through National Police Headquarters, but have not received a reply. Riau Police are unable to ask the President directly, because the request must go through the institution. All we can do for now is be patient," he said.
