PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CONTINUED FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL LOGGING

Jakarta, Apr 5 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for continued efforts in the fight against illegal logging and deforestation.

"I wish to remind everybody that the fight against illegal logging must not ease. The police, military, law enforcers, governors, district heads and mayors must all immediately go back into the field and seriously continue the fight against illegal logging," he said at a cabinet meeting here on Monday.

He said they should act without compromise or discrimination against the crime.

"I will ask for a report on the progress of the efforts from each province and forest area, on what they have done with regard to reforestation, what compensations are given to people (participating in the effort) and what forest concession holders have done in terms of sustainable forest management. We must not lag behind," he said.

The head of state also warned government officials against protecting illegal loggers. "There must never be backing, protection on anyone involved. Do not be influenced by information about backing or protection. There is no such thing. No sponsor. No one protects activities that destroy our country," he said.

To support efforts in the fight against illegal logging, President Yudhoyono had already assigned institutions concerned including his special staff, the environment ministry and the defense ministry to ensure that control over forest areas in Indonesia conducted well.

The President said all processes relating to forests should be controlled.

"They should all be controlled, be they forest concession holders or forestry businesses, according to the rules," he said.

He said reforestation and tree planting movements must continue to be carried out and even intensified to cover more than the forests that have been damaged.

"Ask environmental non-governmental organizations to cooperate. NGOs that really care about the environment, have good will to save the country, are our partners. We must not be controlled by the world. Let us conduct the control by ourselves. It is us who should be more concerned about the safety of our country and grandchildren," he said.

The call of the head of state came following recent floods in a number of regions in the country.

"Various natural disasters like floods and landslides that happened recently are another proof that environmental damages have occurred which can be in the form of deforestation and it has happened for dozens or tens of years. We now feel the impact of the damage marked by global climate change," he said.

President Yudhoyono said he supported the National Tree Planting and Care Movement as part of common efforts to save the environment.

"Despite millions of trees that we plant it will all be useless if the state's reforestation efforts are not going well and the other way round. The results would not be optimal if we only depend upon the state and do not involve the people in the movement," he said.