NGOs propose institution to handle public complaints<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Local non-governmental organizations proposed
\nyesterday an institution in charge of handling public complaints
\non environmental problems.<\/p>\n
Representatives from 12 Jakarta-based NGOs said that the
\ninstitution should be guaranteed by the environmental law, which
\nis soon to be revised.<\/p>\n
The activists filed their proposal in a discussion with
\nlegislators from the government-backed Golkar party faction in
\nthe House of Representatives, which is seeking ways to amend the
\n1982 law.<\/p>\n
The proposed center will serve as a governmental institution
\nto channel people's complaints regarding what they suspect or
\nconsider to be pollution or environmental damage.<\/p>\n
"We suggest that an article on the establishment of the
\ninstitution be included in the environmental bill," Indro
\nSugianto, a delegate of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The current environmental law makes no mention of such an
\ninstitution. People usually lodge their complaints on
\nenvironmental issues with the House or the government's
\nEnvironmental Impact Management Agency.<\/p>\n
"The absence of such an institution makes people's complaints
\ndifficult to follow up," Indro said.<\/p>\n
The NGO activists brought forth 11 proposals to amend the
\nenvironmental law that they have often branded as "toothless".<\/p>\n
Prominent among the 12 NGOs were the Indonesian Consumers
\nAgency (YLKI), the Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi), and
\nthe Center for Information and Development Studies (Cides).<\/p>\n
Mas Achmad Santosa of the Indonesian Center for Environmental
\nLaw (ICEL) told the legislators that the suggestions would add
\nteeth to the future law on the environment.<\/p>\n
"We want a better law. If the future law is not better than
\nthe existing one, we'd rather not have any at all," he told six
\nGolkar faction members led by Didin S. Sastrapradja.<\/p>\n
Santoso said the future law should encourage public
\nparticipation in environmental issues for people's empowerment.<\/p>\n
State Minister for Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja earlier
\nsaid the government needs people's control in environmental
\nmanagement issues.<\/p>\n
Submitted by the government in January, the bill will be
\ndeliberated in June.<\/p>\n
House members are racing against time to deliberate 30 bills
\nbefore their service term end on Oct. 1. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ngos-propose-institution-to-handle-public-complaints-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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