Acknowledging the devastating impact it has had on the environment and the forestry industry, a minister says the government is committed to the fight against illegal logging.

"Illegal logging has ruined the forestry processing industry. Many companies have gone bankrupt due to limited timber supplies, because most of (the timber) is being sold overseas," Forestry Minister MS Kaban said Sunday at furniture manufacturing company PT Indo Furnitama Raya in Pasuruan, East Java.

As a result, he said, the country's revenue from the timber industry dropped from US$7.8 million in 2004 to $7.6 million in 2005.

He vowed the government would take tough measures against anyone involved in illegal logging, including corrupt law enforcers or officials from the Forestry Ministry.

"We're serious in this matter because of the harmful impact (illegal logging) has on the industry," said Kaban.

The minister's visit to the furniture manufacturing company was part of a two-day visit to a number of forestry-related businesses, including PT Sumber Mas and PT Darma Satya Nusantara in Gresik, and PT Indo Furnitama Raya.

He also visited the Tebuireng Islamic boarding school in Jombang for a reforestation program that will see 18,500 teakwood trees planted around the school complex.

He said the government would introduce reforestation programs in several provinces to help revive the forestry industry.

Of the 57 million hectares of forested area across the country damaged as a result of illegal logging, only three million hectares have been reforested.

"We are also encouraging local administrations and people to plant teakwood trees or similar species in their areas. Besides being a source of income, the trees can also support the ecosystem," Kaban said.

PT Indo Furnitama Raya owner Abdurrahman Assegaf said the shortage of raw materials was a major obstacle to manufacturing furniture, because most of the illegally cut timber was sold overseas, causing local timber prices to rise sharply.

"With local prices of raw materials so high, we can't compete in the export market. We have optimized our product quality, human resources development and export potential, and are only waiting for help from the government to support forest-based companies," he said.