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 18
May 2005
Joint Sarawak-Indonesia efforts to combat timber smuggling
By Magdalene Rogers
KUCHING - Sarawak would be working closely with Indonesia on the issue of
investigating alleged timber smuggling along its border with Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said here that an independent body
would be set up as it was necessary to enable the State authority and its counterpart in Kalimantan, Indonesia mitigate timber smuggling and illegal timber-related activities.
He added it would also promote conservation as Sarawak has been "unfairly accused" by
some European countries and also Indonesia of smuggling timber out of the republic.
"The best thing is for us to appoint an independent body, to resolve this old baggage which still persists in our efforts to cooperate with Indonesia.
"If they can prove anything on the smuggling of their timber, I am willing to take action
against anybody because we do not encourage it at all," he said.
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