Jayapura, Jubi – The eradication of illegal logging in Papua is not easy as it requires the involvement of all parties and ‘crazy ideas’, said Papua Police.
“Especially it needs support from the Ministry of Forestry. There should be strong action. The Minister of Maritime Affairs came up with a crazy idea, for example to destroy truck or ship used for transporting illegal logging. It has a deterrent effect,” Patrige Renwarin said to Jubi this week.
He said, between January-April, the Papua Police seized 10 truckloads of timber without documents. However he did not mention how many cubic of timber was secured. He further said, for the last case on April 17, police seized three truckloads of 12.9 cubic of Merbau wood transported from Keerom.
“The first case of seven timber trucks has been carried to the second stage. Seven driver suspect. Evidence and the suspects have been handed over to the prosecutor. The timber is confiscated in Koya, Muara Tami District, Jayapura, and in Urum Guay, Jayapura district, “he said.
Three cases of confiscation of timber trucks on the highway of Tanah Hitam, Abepura district, Jayapura in mid-April, were developed by investigator. Initially, the police only set three driver as a suspect.
“Once developed, we manage to catch one more person. He also has a suspect and is now detained at the police station with initials M. He ordered to transport the wood. So it has been four suspects involved in this case, “he added.
The eradication of illegal logging was also voiced by Papua Legislative Council (DPRP). The local parliament wanted to temporarily imposed moratorium of timber in Papua both logs and processed.
Chairman of Commission IV of DPRP on Forestry, Boy Markus Dawir said, it is important that businessmen, communities, and local governments to get the same benefit. (Arjuna Pademme/ Tina)
