Jakarta – The National Police headquarters (HQ) is to investigate the involvement of former Sorong Police Operations chief, First Inspector Anshar Johar and former Sorong Police chief, Adj. High Comm. Faisal A.N. as they were allegedly involved in an illegal logging case in Papua.

"We're investigating this matter right now," said National Police headquarters (HQ) chief of detectives Comm. Gen. Suyitno Landung in Depok on Monday (22/11).

Johar is alleged to have neglected the order of Papua Police chief at that time, Insp. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika, to confiscate the illegal logs, worth Rp12 billion, in Sorong, in 2001.

The evidence, coming from an African motor boat, is assumed to have been switched with other evidence owned by other people, who then reported this matter to the National Police headquarters (HQ).

Landung said that the dossiers of the case were already in Sorong. However, he is yet to receive the dossiers as they are still in the hands of the Papua High Prosecutor's Office.

Landung said that Johar was guilty in this matter as he had deserted from his work as a police officer. "It's the mistake of First Inspector Johar. Everything related to the dossiers of the case is out of control because of his desertion," stated Landung.

National Police chief Gen. Da'I Bachtiar has said that he would take stern measures against anyone involved in illegal logging such taking place in West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and Papua.

"One thing is for sure, the police have taken measures against those involved in illegal logging activities," said Bachtiar.

[Martha Warta-Tempo News Room.]