New Regulation Issued for Timber Exporters

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian government has decided to allow only listed exporters to export timber products and has issued a new regulation aimed at preventing illegal logging activities. By this regulation, public exporters are no longer allowed to export local timber products before they register themselves as listed exporters. This policy is based on the Decision of Minister of Trade and Industry no.3132/ NPP/Kep/1/2003 dated January 22, 2003. Minister of Trade and Industry Rini M.S. Soewandi made this statement after signing a joint decision letter on illegal logging settlement with Minister of Forestry M. Prakosa, Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar, National Police chief Gen. Dai Bachtiar and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Jakarta on Wednesday night (22/01). This decision prevails on all kinds of exporters who have to obtain a recommendation from the Forestry Revitalization Board. This Board, headed by the Minister of Forestry, was established by the government sometime ago. Soewandi added that prevention of illegal logging would also be carried out by determining the volume of logs allowed to be cut down. The government has decided to allow the cutting down of 6.7 million cubic meters of logs a year. This will enable the government to know exactly how much volume of logs are produced for local market and how much for export. If volume exceeds the amount fixed by the government, it will mean that illegal logging is still being carried out. The government is relying on TNI and National Police officials to monitor and take measures against people involved in illegal logging. To facilitate security officials in carrying out their duties, the government will collect funds from timber businessmen. The funds will then be used for operational and monitoring activities including buying ships to monitor isolated areas. Minister of Forestry M. Prakosa said that illegal logging practices have worsened the market mechanism as some business people take advantage of this and obtain cheap raw materials. Consequently, industries do not compete fairly and for this reason, the Forestry Revitalization Board was established. Prakosa added that the amount of illegal logging in Indonesia has increased rapidly. In 2001, the police seized 10 million cubic meters of timber that had been stolen and was intended to be smuggled abroad. Prakosa predicted that more timber was smuggled abroad during last year. He added that the transporting of timber between islands could now only be carried out by using Indonesian ships. Much timber has been stolen by using foreign ships and Prakosa said he suspected local businessmen of having flown foreign flags on their ships on purpose. Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar guaranteed that he would provide sea transportation to transport the timber so that foreign ships would be no longer needed. National Police chief, Gen. Dai Bachtiar also guaranteed that he would monitor illegal logging activities in isolated areas. Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto also promised to eradicate illegal logging activities. He admitted that many people have accused TNI officials of backing up illegal logging activities. Sutarto promised to take stern measures against whoever was proven of being involved in illegal logging. Even if my subordinates are involved, I will personally shoot them, he said. (Retno Sulistyowati-Tempo News Room)