Cottage industry on trial<\/p>\n
In response to the news on the trial of eight villagers for
\npolluting the environment, as carried in the Suara Pembaruan,
\nnewspaper on Aug. 20, 2003, I contacted the village head of
\nCinangka, Ciampea district, Bogor, for more information. Titin
\nSukanta, the village chief, explained to me that the eight people
\nhad been recycling and reprocessing lead from used batteries to
\neke out a living, and actually knew nothing about the law.<\/p>\n
I sympathize with these ordinary people who were just working
\nthe best they could to survive by what they thought were
\nacceptable means. In my view, the office of the state minister of
\nthe environment should provide information and guidance for
\nsmall-scale entrepreneurs such as these, in addition to taking
\naction against violators.<\/p>\n
Titin also said the defendants had never received any warning
\nin writing from the authorities and she hoped to be able to put
\ntogether a team of attorneys that could help acquit the
\nvillagers.<\/p>\n
As a member of the Foundation for Education and Development of
\nPancasila University, Jakarta, I will request the dean of this
\nuniversity's school of law that a defense counsel be made
\navailable for this purpose.<\/p>\n
It is true that lead pollution is hazardous to health. I will
\nseek the help of the school of pharmacy to eliminate gas (SO2)
\nand salt (PbSO4) pollution so that the small-scale\/cottage
\nindustry businesspeople can safely recycle lead from the millions
\nof used batteries.<\/p>\n
SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cottage-industry-on-trial-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }