Following the Proceeds of Illegal Logging in Indonesia

The low number of prosecutions in Indonesia for illegal logging may not offer a strong enough deterrent against engaging in what is a lucrative crime. However, the movement of offenders and proceeds tied to illegal logging through other countries in the region offers some opportunities to support Indonesia’s law enforcement responses. Officials in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia may charge
offenders in those jurisdictions with criminal money laundering offences for
their involvement in corruption offences in Indonesia. However, the structures
of money laundering offences in those countries prohibit direct charges being
laid for money laundering tied to illegal logging. Only Singapore is able to prosecute actors for money laundering tied to sales of endangered species. As such, this may offer an additional avenue for prosecuting offenders and producing a deterrent effect. Indonesian officials have also made some use of financial intelligence to pursue illegal logging cases. The proceeds of crime provisions and mutual legal assistance for asset freezing operating in Hong Kong and Singapore also offer some additional avenues for targeting the proceeds of any corruption offences committed in Indonesia. Asset freezing and recovery in both countries still requires assistance
from Indonesia to secure an outcome.

The ‘follow the money approach’ is not as flexible as some commentators have
suggested in the past.

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edited:13/07/2010
uploaded:13/07/2010