Seized logs abandoned

Seized logs abandoned

Sat, 05/17/2008 1

PEKANBARU: The anti-illegal logging team in Riau has abandoned thousands of illegal logs seized in Kampar regency because they lack the funds to move them to the province's capital. Kampar illegal logging eradication team chairman, Teguh Sahono, said the logs were abandoned because the team's budget was spent to move thousands of illegal logs confiscated in Mentulik last month.

Teguh, also Kampar's vice regent, said the team monitor the logs to prevent them from being stolen by illegal loggers and timber companies in the regency.

He said his team's budget this fiscal year was only Rp 500 million and that it had already been spent to cover operations over the past five months.

"We have proposed an additional Rp 500 million budget to the provincial government, but no response has been given."

Kampar Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. MZ Muttaqien said the police would likely auction the logs, giving the money to the state so as not to burden the team.

"A smaller part of the logs will be kept as evidence for the police's investigation into the case," he said. --JP