:: Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia ::

Today, Indonesian environmental and social justice groups ask Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to close the door to illegal timber and forest products. A letter carrying the message will be delivered to the Prime Minister through the Australian Embassy in Jakarta by WALHI.

The letter was spearheaded by WALHI and co-signed by five key organisations, many of which are active members of the Coalition Against Forestry Mafia (Koalisi Anti Mafia Kehutanan).

The Australian Government made an election promise in 2007 to ban illegal timber. Last Saturday, PM Gillard set the date for the next election for August 21st. The Government has just one month left to uphold its commitment on illegal timber. Australia has continued to expect timber supplying countries, especially Indonesia to stem out illegal logging.

“Of course, Indonesia needs to tackle the serious and chronic problem of illegal logging because it is in our national interest to do so. However, Australia is a timber importing country and an influential power in the Asia-Pacific region. It has to walk the talk on good governance by banning the trade in timber stolen from other country’s forests.” says Mohammad Teguh Surya, Head of Campaigns for WALHI.“

For the last few decades, WALHI and other civil society groups in Indonesia have been campaigning hard to fight illegal logging to protect what is left of the once dense and mighty Indonesian tropical rainforests.

Teguh explains, “we are fighting a losing uphill battle. Illegal logging operations are organised criminal activities. They operate above the law, bribing law enforcers, using force to intimidate forest communities and those who stand in their ways to cut down the trees, leaving a trail of destruction behind.”

Illegal logging is highly profitable. Those who benefit from it will be open for business as long as there are buyers. A recent UK-based Chatham House research showed that tough actions taken by the US and EU has resulted in a drop in demand for illegal timber. However other timber importing countries including Australia must act aggressively in order to maintain the momentum created to eliminate this trade.

The five organisations want PM Gillard to act on the 2007 election promise before the August poll. “Strong action in Australia will send a strong signal to those involved in illegal logging in Indonesia and other forest nations, giving these countries a chance to protect what is left of their precious forests.” concludes Teguh.


Attachment
 Letter to PM Gillard
 Illegal Logging in Indonesia

For further comments, please contact:

Muhammad Teguh Surya
Phone: +62 21 7919 3363
Cellphone: +62 811 820 4362
email: teguhriau[at]walhi.or.id / teguh.surya[at]gmail.com