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Indonesia Blames Malaysians For Illegal Logging
by Kazi Mahmood for IslamOnline
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Illegal logging along the borders of Malaysia and Indonesia on Borneo Island could become a serious problem between the two nations, an Indonesian official said Thursday.
He said that even though Indonesia is not accusing Malaysia of troubles at the border, the neighboring country should take the necessary steps to avoid illegal logging.
In a press conference Wednesday, Indonesian Minister of Defense, Mahfud M.D., claimed that "rogue" elements involved in illegal logging were responsible for shifting markers along the border of Indonesia and Malaysia on Borneo.
He said around 200 hectares of Indonesian forest had been claimed by Malaysia in this manner and that the government intended to spend around Rp10 billion ($1.00 = RP12, 000) to remark and guard the border.
The Minister said the government intended to pursue the issue of the shifting border with Malaysian counterparts under the auspices of the Malaysia-Indonesia General Border Committee (GBC).
Last year, Indonesian guards in Borneo arrested four Malaysian nationals for illegal logging. The issue strained relations between the two nations as Malaysia denied their nationals were inside Indonesian territorial limits.
"We have already received a response from the Malaysian government that the problem will be resolved through the GBC," the defense minister said.
Mahfud stressed that Indonesia did not blame the Malaysian government for the encroachment, adding that illegal loggers had moved the border markers.
"We don't believe the Malaysian government is responsible for doing this, but rather rogue elements at the lower levels, who may also be from the Indonesian side, or unknown parties. It is not yet clear who they are," he said.
"We wish for the matter to be resolved in accordance with international laws and procedures in force in ASEAN states. This can be carried out through the GBC," he added.
"Indeed there is no problem between Indonesia and Malaysia because we can see that the problem is not the mistake of the respective governments," he reiterated.
Indonesia last year accused Malaysians of illegal logging and trading of wood from Indonesia into Malaysia only to resell them to Indonesian factories and businessmen.
Indonesian army personnel also accused Malaysian soldiers at the border of being involved in illegal logging and contraband along the borders with Indonesia.
The alleged capture of some Malaysian soldiers belonging to the Malaysian Royal Armed Forces along the borders in Borneo raised serious concern in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. However the matter is being resolved thanks to dialogue, IslamOnline was told.
Illegal logging has caused serious damage to hundreds of thousands of hectares of pristine forest on Borneo. The government, as well as military personnel on both sides, have been accused by non-government organizations (NGO) of illegal logging practices.
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