Despite a ban on exports of logs, Indonesian traders continued to bring logs and square logs into Malaysia, Bernama news agency cited the ministry as saying.

Malaysia was prepared to cooperate with Indonesia which was experiencing illegal logging problems but said the onus was on Indonesia to deal with the illegal trade domestically, the agency added.

The statement follows a report Saturday that several environmental groups were planning to file a petition to certify that Malaysia was undermining a convention on international trade in endangered species.

Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, Rainforest Action Network and Earth Justice were among the group that signed the letter to US Secretary of State Colin Powell that alleged Malaysian officials were violating the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Lim Keng Yaik, primary industries minister on Sunday declined to comment on the petition by the environment groups, saying: "My ministry has issued a statement."

Videofootage and documents made public in Jakarta revealed involvement of officials in the southern Malaysian Pasir Gudang port in Johor state in the import of illegally cut ramin wood -- a protected species -- from neighbouring Indonesia.

Malaysia had imposed a ban on the importation of logs and square logs from Indonesia effective June 25, 2002 following a request by Indonesia which had also banned the export of logs.

Kuala Lumpur said it would continue to support Jakarta to battle illegal timber trade in the spirit of international and regional cooperation.

TERRA.WIRE