A prominent Malaysian businessman was arrested by the Indonesian police for allegedly smuggling timber from Indonesia's West Papua province, also known as Irian Jaya.

According to a Bernama report today, the businessman identified o­nly as "M" was detained early this week in Sorong, a town o­n the western side of the island.

M was said to be a well-known corporate figure with a wide range of business interests and owned hotels and malls in Australia.

However, West Papua police chief Inspector-General Budi Utomo did not reveal any other details.

Budi said the businessman was detained after police questioned at least nine people, including a man working at the Indonesian-owned Arthamas timber company.

The police chief added a businessman from Arthamas, who was also vice-chairperson of the Indonesian Timber Businessmen's Association (Apkindo), was arrested o­n a similar charge.

"The two people are being detained at the West Papua Police precinct and will be transferred to the Indonesian police headquarters in Jakarta for further investigation," he said.

Budi said some Malaysians have been living o­n West Papua's marine and forest resources, both illegally and legally, for several years.

"Foreigners have been siphoning off West Papua's natural wealth, even though many Papuans live in poverty," he said.