Anti-nuclear groups demand action against Batan boss<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two anti-nuclear groups urged the government
\nyesterday to take firm action against the director of the
\nNational Atomic Agency (Batan) for speaking prematurely about the
\nbidding for Indonesia's first nuclear power plant project.<\/p>\n
M. Anung, speaking for the Indonesian Environmental Forum
\n(Walhi) and the Indonesian Anti-Nuclear Society (MANI), said
\nBatan director, Djali Ahimsa, has breached his authority by
\nopening pre-qualification bids for nuclear power plants without
\npublic knowledge.<\/p>\n
"This is also against the 1982 Environment Law, and the 1982
\nLaw on spatial planning," Anung told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
"The announcement of bidding should be made only after the
\ncompletion of feasibility studies and an approved environmental
\nimpact analysis," Anung said.<\/p>\n
Walhi sits on the National Commission on Environmental Impact
\nAnalysis which oversees the compilation of such reports.<\/p>\n
"We are shocked because the bid itself was not clear," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He added that the law on spatial planning requires public
\ninvolvement in mandatory consultation regarding projects which
\nare considered to have a large impact on the public.<\/p>\n
Djali said last week that the government will soon open pre-
\nqualification bidding for the nuclear power plant in Mount Muria,
\nCentral Java. He said the final phase of the feasibility studies
\nby Newjec of Japan would be completed in May.<\/p>\n
Anung said the planned announcement of the bidding contradicts
\nPresident Soeharto's statement last year that nuclear energy
\nwould be a last resort in providing power to meet ever increasing
\ndemands.<\/p>\n
Soeharto also said that in the case that nuclear power plants
\nbecame a must, the people should be thoroughly prepared to face
\nthe possible risks posed by nuclear reactors.<\/p>\n
Along with Walhi and MANI, three other environmental groups
\nearlier criticized Canada's offer to build nuclear power plants
\nhere. These were the Bogor-based Indonesian Anti-Nuclear Forum,
\nPelangi Indonesia and Gugus Analisis Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"The offer was not ethical," said Anung.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Jean Chretien made the offer to Soeharto during
\nhis visit to Jakarta on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The groups stated the government should not even consider
\nCanada's offer.<\/p>\n
"Canada has found nuclear plants are not economical because of
\nthe public's high demand for safety standards," the statement
\nsaid. "Now they are dumping the nuclear plants on us."<\/p>\n
The groups suggested that Canada should instead offer
\nIndonesia its experience in seeking non-nuclear alternatives.<\/p>\n
They also repeated demands for public access to all
\ninformation pertinent to the nation's nuclear power plant plans.
\n(anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/anti-nuclear-groups-demand-action-against-batan-boss-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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