Police officers arrested in illegal logging

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 04/12/2008 11:17 AM | Headlines

The National Police on Friday declared three high-ranking police officers suspects for allowing illegal logging to take place in Ketapang, West Kalimantan.

"Of 19 West Kalimantan Police officers being questioned, three have already been declared suspects in illegal logging cases," National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Abu Bakar said.

He said the suspects were transferred to Jakarta and had been detained at the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta since Thursday.

The suspects are former Ketapang district police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ahmad Sun'an, former Ketapang criminal unit chief Adj. Comr. Khadafi Marpaung and former Ketapang water police chief First Insp. Agung Lutfi.

"The three officers were declared suspects based on testimony from the other 16 officers questioned, which led us to believe they knowingly allowed illegal logging," Abu said.

He said the suspects were charged with violating the forestry law, but he stopped short of accusing them of corruption.

"We are not denying that possibility. Please be patient because this case can still develop," he said.

Since March 14, the police have been conducting operations to uncover illegal logging activities in Ketapang. So far, around 12,000 cubic meters of logs with an estimated value of Rp 208 billion (US$22.6 million) have been confiscated, along with 19 boats used in their transportation.

According to police reports, the smuggling operations covered some 7,000 hectares of woodland, and the confiscated logs were intended to be transported to Kuching, Malaysia, and later sold in China, Taiwan and Japan.

At least 26 public officials have been declared suspects for alleged involvement in illegal logging, six of whom are officials of the West Kalimantan forestry office.

During a recent visit to West Kalimantan, National Police chief Gen. Sutanto reportedly blamed West Kalimantan Police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak for the widespread theft of logs.

He repeated his statement to reporters Friday, but added there had been no decision on sanctions against Zainal.

"Our policy is to arrest anyone involved in illegal logging, including our own (officers)," Sutanto said after Friday prayers at the National Police Headquarters.

"It's a shame because all regional police chiefs are supposed to have a grasp on their territories, the characteristics of which they must master so they can stop these kinds of crimes."

When asked if the police planned to hold Zainal responsible for deforestation in the area, Abu Bakar said they still had criminals to pursue, such as fugitives Asong and Akuin, who allegedly funded illegal logging operations.

"I am sure, though, these corrupt officers are the last of our force who are involved in illegal logging. If they're not, well, now those people know the consequences," he said. (anw)

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