Sarwono to beef up environmental watchdogs<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono
\nKusumaatmadja plans to beef up the Agency for Environment Control
\n(Bappedal) by creating a new division that will extend the
\nagency's reaches in the region.<\/p>\n
Sarwono told reporters that his proposals are currently being
\nconsidered by President Soeharto who is expected to issue a
\npresidential decree.<\/p>\n
Bapedal is a government agency chaired by Sarwono who is
\ncurrently assisted by two deputies, one on program development
\nand another on pollution control. Each deputy overseas a division
\nwithin Bapedal.<\/p>\n
Sarwono said that under his proposal, a third deputy will be
\ncreated with the task of promoting decentralization in the
\nenvironmental supervision task. The division will focus more on
\nlocal projects and gradually create more autonomous local
\nBappedal offices, he said.<\/p>\n
The new deputy on institutional and capacity increment affairs
\nwill be assisted by three directors: one on human resources, one
\non management and the other on coordination of aid programs.<\/p>\n
The move is the latest from Sarwono's office to strengthen the
\ngovernment's effort to protect and preserve the country's
\nenvironment.<\/p>\n
Two weeks ago, President Soeharto issued a decree that
\ncompelled manufacturers to treat their toxic and hazardous waste
\nand empowered Bapedal to oversee the enforcement of the ruling.<\/p>\n
Sarwono explained that the new deputy was urgently needed to
\nreduce the job of Bappedal's overburdened central office, which
\ncurrently handles human resources, management and aid
\ncoordination matters, as well as administrative and routine
\naffairs.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia needs to learn more from developed countries who
\nhave already implemented decentralized systems of decision-making
\nin environmental management,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ideally, all operational programs at the local level,
\nincluding law enforcement, should be managed by local
\nauthorities, he said. \"In Indonesia, most decisions are still
\nmade at a very high level.\"<\/p>\n
Included in the proposed draft to the President was a program
\nto establish an information and compliance center, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Information issued by this center, such as a list of the
\nperformances of certain industries, will encourage people to
\nabide by environmental rules. So they won't comply out of a fear
\nof being punished,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sarwono explained the proposed center would also be under the
\nmanagement of Bappedal.<\/p>\n
Canada<\/p>\n
Sarwono yesterday also signed an agreement by which Canada
\nwill extend its grant program on an environmental project in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
The memorandum of understanding for the grant of Rp 5.2
\nbillion ($2.4 million) was signed at his office with Canadian
\nAmbassador Lawrence T. Dickenson.<\/p>\n
The Environmental Management Development in Indonesia (EMDI)
\nproject, which began in 1986, supports the Sarwono's office,
\nBappedal and Indonesian universities in their efforts to ensure
\nbetter environmental management and more sustainable development
\nin Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The overall value of the project, which is extended until July
\n1995, is put Rp 48.4 billion.<\/p>\n
The EMDI project is implemented jointly by Sarwono's office
\nand Canada's Dalhousie University.<\/p>\n
The additional funds will be used mainly for natural resources
\nmanagement, environmental protection, the Prokasih (Clean River)
\nprogram, environmental impact assessment projects and for
\ncooperation projects between Indonesian and Canadian
\nuniversities.<\/p>\n
\"They have been very generous, and they do not interfere with
\nour environmental policies,\" Sarwono praised the Canadians,
\nadding that the attitude has never changed despite the changes of
\nambassadors here.<\/p>\n
He also said that since the aid was given as grants, \"we
\nreally have nothing to lose. It is a great benefit for us\".(pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sarwono-to-beef-up-environmental-watchdogs-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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