April 15, 2008 edition
For years, a timber mafia worked in unison to plunder the forests of Ketapang, West Kalimantan. They consist of dealers, loggers, members of the Forestry Office, police officers, officials of the Forestry Department and authorities from the local regency government. The Joint Team of National Police Headquarters and the Forestry Department estimates that state losses amount to Rp32.4 trillion annually. This is equivalent to 26 times the 2008 regional budget for West Kalimantan province.
Three weeks ago, the Joint Team was able to dismantle the mafia’s timber network in Ketapang. Among those arrested were the head of the Ketapang Office of Forestry, the Chief of the Ketapang District Police, and a candidate for the office of regent. Tempo reports from Ketapang.
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More Cover Story articles in other editions
April 8, 2008 edition
The film Fitna has strained European relations with the Muslim world. Some people feel threatened about Islam’s growth in The Netherlands. What started as a problem with immigrants went beyond hatred and became an ideological issue following the events of September 11, 2001.
IN order to reach the third door of the Dutch parliamentary building in The Hague, visitors must pass empty halls in an old building, and go though four levels of security. Thorough checks, comparable to those at airports, are carried out. Belts must be removed when passing level-four security. A few officers dressed in black stand heavy guard in a corner of one room. This is where the office of the Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid) is located.
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April 1, 2008 edition
March 25, 2008 edition
Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, Kemas Yahya Rahman, and Director of Investigations, Muhammad Salim, were removed from their posts last week. Attorney General Hendarman Supandji said that he will shortly replace scores of investigative prosecutors as well. However, many doubt that Hendarman’s strategy will prove effective. This is the next episode in the case of Urip Tri Gunawan, the so-called Rp6-Billion Prosecutor.
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March 18, 2008 edition
March 11, 2008 edition