International ecology standards could hurt RI<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A legal adviser to the government warned
\nyesterday that implementing international standards in ecology
\nlaws could lead to dependence on wealthy nations for
\nenvironmental technology.<\/p>\n
Sunaryati Hartono, who presides over the Ministry of Justice's
\nAgency for the Development of National Laws, said international
\nstandards are often based on the technological capability of
\ndeveloped countries.<\/p>\n
She argued that these standards are ideals and developing
\ncountries like Indonesia often lack the know-how and ability to
\nfully comply with them.<\/p>\n
\"Like it or not, in the end we will have to purchase equipment
\nfrom them and this will create dependence,\" she said in a seminar
\non National Environmental Laws in Facing the 21st Century.<\/p>\n
The two-day seminar, which began here yesterday, is held by
\nthe Environmental Impact Management Agency.<\/p>\n
\"I don't like it,\" she said. \"If these international standards
\nare truly international in nature, then developing countries also
\nhave to participate in defining them.\"<\/p>\n
Environmental standards are becoming contiguous with trade.
\nAmong them is the application of \"eco-labeling\" which signifies
\nwhether a product was produced using environmentally friendly
\nprocedures, and the ISO 14000 environmental management standard.<\/p>\n
In Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmaja's written
\nstatement delivered at the opening of the seminar by his
\nsecretary, Sudarsono, reference was made to complying with ISO
\n14000.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia has begun to prepare various instruments to support
\nits implementation,\" Sarwono said, pointing out environmental
\naudits as an example.<\/p>\n
He added that owing to the growing importance given to
\nenvironmental issues, it is important to delve and look into
\nIndonesia's own environmental law and seek ways of improving it.<\/p>\n
Obstacles<\/p>\n
Sunaryati listed various legal and technical obstacles apart
\nfrom the fact that Indonesia is several decades behind in
\nstarting its industrial revolution.<\/p>\n
The size and make-up of the country are serious challenges,
\nshe noted. Sunaryati explained that several stages of development
\nexist simultaneously in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Our country is living in 20 centuries at once,\" she said
\ndescribing the diverse stages of progress.<\/p>\n
She said that despite all these constraints, Indonesia is
\nforced to make up ground in a short span of time and survive in a
\nparameter set by those who established themselves over a century
\nearlier.<\/p>\n
\"The Indonesian society is like an elementary school child who
\nis forced to pass a law bar exam,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Sunaryati said a commitment from the government in the field
\nof law is vital at this point.<\/p>\n
She said that due to the focus on economic development in the
\npast few years, the development of the law has been neglected.<\/p>\n
\"We need adequate funding,\" Sunaryati said. (mds)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/international-ecology-standards-could-hurt-ri-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }