Maryadi/FW & LM, Pontianak – Indonesia's most prominent environmental protection group, WALHI, has slammed President Abdurrahman Wahid and the current government for their lack of commitment to environmental issues.
National Executive Director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), Suwiryo Ismail, spoke with Detik after attending a meeting with NGO activists in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Thursday.
Suwiryo said the President has not shown any commitment to solving Indonesia's extensive environmental problems but only favoured the interests of investors, citing the Indorayon, Freeport and Newmont cases as prime examples.
According to Suwiryo, in the Indorayon case, the government acted like a chameleon, showing no definate standpoint on the issue. Moreover, they had promised different things to the different parties involved. To the community, the government had promised to close down the factory, while to the investors, they promised to keep the factory open.
He added that this kind of stance in itself was a hindrance to economic development. "The government should not be afraid of losing investors. There are many companies who are interested to invest as long as there are a clear regulations," he said.
WALHI maintains that the PT Inti Indorayon Utama (IIU) pulp and paper factory in Sosor Ladang, Porsea, Toba Samosir, North Sumatra province, should be closed down because of the impact on the environment and livelihoods of locals peoples. Thousands rallied last Sunday at the site claiming that they would reestablish 4 guard posts to prevent materials entering and leaving the plant. Police shot one teenager last month after several guards were arrested.
If the factory were to reopen, it must be done right according to WALHI. That is, if the shooting is thoroughly investigated and the current contract renegotiated to ensure work and environmental laws are clarified and fulfilled. "Because the previous working contract is packed with corruption, collusion, and nepotistic practices," said Suwiryo.