Jakarta – The proposed resumption of marine sand exports to Malaysia and Singapore is part of a certain political party's scheme to raise funds for its 2004 general election campaign, a non-governmental organization claimed here recently.

"The proposal is closely related to a certain political party's scheme to raise funds for its campaign in the general election in 2004," said Longgena Ginting, executive director of Walhi (Indonesian Forum for the Environment), here recently.

Without naming the political party concerned, Ginting said Walhi was opposed to the proposal, as the exports would damage the environment.

Ginting said Walhi had collected the signatures of some 50,000 Riau residents who also objected to the proposed resumption of marine sand exports, and would convey the petition to the government.

The petition would also be addressed to Ministry of Industry and Trade Rini Soewandi and State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim.

The two ministers were known to have expressed objections to the exports and the petition would be sent to them as a token of support for their stance on the matter.

"We reject marine sand exports, no matter what its proponents say to justify them, because the damage they do to the environment and the losses they cause to fishermen will be much greater than the income they generate," Ginting said.

According to Walhi, the value of marine sand exports, at US$1.30 per cubic meter, was too low in comparison with the natural damage they caused and the loss of fish potential that would harm fishermen.