Ambon – The country is losing around Rp 45 trillion (about US$5 billion) a year because of widespread illegal logging, Forestry Minister MS Kaban says.

Kaban reiterated his pledge that the government aimed to stop all illegal logging activity in the country by end of the year.

"Our forests are in a critical condition, it's like a late stage cancer... caused by big illegal timber bosses," Kaban said Monday. "If we managed our forest products well, our rich forest resources would create jobs for the people," Kaban said.

Many industrialized countries could maintain forest areas, he said. "Korea, for instance, has regreened 70 percent of its forests, while European countries can maintain their green areas." Kaban said officials would step up their efforts to hunt down and apprehend illegal loggers, with surveillance conducted by land and air.