If only Newmont<\/p>\n
With extraordinary swiftness the National Police are pursuing the
\nalleged pollution case in Buyat Bay, North Sulawesi. Unswayed by
\ninitial dismissals from government officials about the reported
\npollution, police have conducted their own investigation and
\nwithin weeks of the final results which -- reportedly -- confirm
\nthe pollution, hastily declared five officials of Newmont
\nMinahasa Raya as suspects in the case.<\/p>\n
Five company officials are being held in custody, with a sixth
\n-- company boss Richard Ness -- released for medical reasons.<\/p>\n
Police thus far seem to have remained faithful to their
\njurisdiction. Their actions have been conducted in accordance
\nwith existing laws regulating the detention of suspects.<\/p>\n
The expeditious response of police to this case should be
\ncommended. That said, something remains amiss if we compare their
\ndiligence in this case to other high-profile investigations.<\/p>\n
If only police would pursue other cases with the same
\npersistence they have with Newmont, then many accused of graft
\nstill on the loose would now be incarcerated.<\/p>\n
If only detectives conducted investigations of crimes in the
\ncapital with similar zeal as they have ascertaining evidence of a
\ncase in a region more than 2,000 kilometers away, then there
\nwould probably be no erosion of confidence in the force.<\/p>\n
If only Newmont, then there is something definitely wrong with
\nthe police force entrusted to oversee our civil society.<\/p>\n
The development of the pollution case against Newmont Minahasa
\nRaya borders on the bizarre. When NGOs initially claimed that
\nresidents of Buyat Bay were suffering from Minamata disease, many
\nwere shocked. The outbreak of the disease would have meant severe
\nlevels of mercury poisoning. There were claims that the mercury
\nresulted from Newmont's tailings.<\/p>\n
Several ministers dismissed these claims and Newmont
\nrepeatedly insisted it did not use mercury in its prospecting or
\ndisposal process.<\/p>\n
Later tests from a leading university and police found that
\nwhile residents did not suffer Minamata disease, there were
\ntraces of mercury found in the Bay which, allegedly, were above
\nthe standard level set by the government for seawater pollution.<\/p>\n
One point of contention now is the exact baseline standard of
\nmercury in the water in Buyat Bay and blood levels of victims
\nallegedly suffering from poisoning. Newmont claims that samples
\ntested by third-party laboratories met world standards.<\/p>\n
This case is yet another test for our police. We do not wish
\nto impinge or influence their investigations in any way other
\nthan to encourage them to conduct themselves in a proper manner.
\nNeither should the police or government be swayed by remarks from
\nhigh-ranking U.S. officials or suggestions by Newmont's home
\noffice that prosecution could deter foreign investment.<\/p>\n
Guilty is guilty, foreign or local. Indonesia has a right to
\nuphold its laws. But this must be conducted under the caveat that
\nif there is evidence against Newmont Minahasa Raya it must be
\nirrefutable and presented in the most transparent manner.<\/p>\n
Even if Newmont is eventually exonerated, police must get down
\nto who is exactly responsible for the contamination of Buyat Bay.
\nWe cannot afford to let the case linger and fade to become
\nanother tall-tale of conspiracy.<\/p>\n
Failure to resolve the matter openly would only reinforce
\nIndonesia's image as an unsafe country where the sanctity of
\ncontracts and the law are not respected, but a place where local
\nofficials may get away with attempted extortion.<\/p>\n
Rumors of locals trying to extract money before the closure of
\nNewmont Minahasa Raya's operations; illegal miners irresponsibly
\nusing mercury and arsenic; or political jostling over potential
\nshares in Newmont's other major gold and copper operation in Nusa
\nTenggara, should be laid to rest.<\/p>\n
Common sense should also prevail in the police's
\ninvestigation. As noted earlier, police may very well be within
\ntheir rights to seek the detention of senior Newmont Minahasa
\nRaya officials named suspects, but we question the urgency of
\ntheir incarceration.<\/p>\n
Some of them are recognized individuals in society. It is
\nquestionable they would go so far as to flee investigation or
\nattempt to impede investigations by destroying evidence -- the
\nusual grounds for seeking the detention of a suspect.<\/p>\n
A major company, Newmont would only do harm to its own
\nreputation if it attempted to foil investigations. We know
\nNewmont is here prospecting in Indonesia for the long haul, and
\ntrust management are aware that if criminal proceedings are
\nneeded they would cooperate as such.<\/p>\n
We only hope the police have the same long-term vision and
\ntheir investigations are conducted to abet the safety of the
\nenvironment based on clear evidence, not short-term political
\ngains.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/if-only-newmont-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}