25 firms cited as major water pollution sources

JAKARTA (JP): Major hotels and hospitals are among the 25 firms cited as the source of the bulk of the city's water pollution, including dangerous contaminated waste, an official has claimed.

The companies -- including four star-rated hotels, a well- known soft drink producer and hospitals -- accounted for at least 35 percent of water pollution in the period of 1997 to 1998, Abujoewono, secretary of the Jakarta chapter of the National Environmental Protection Agency, told reporters on Wednesday.

He refused to give full details of the companies but said they included five-star hotel MO, four-star hotel HA, drink producing factory SS, hospital CM and hospital K.

"It would be unethical to reveal the names of the companies to the press."

He said his office conducted continuous monitoring of the companies' waste.

The official, however, praised the companies for their "very good job" in providing the agency with complete analysis reports concerning possible adverse effects of their waste on the environment.

Contacted on Thursday, the public relations director of hotel MO confirmed that members of Abujoewono's staff took regular monthly samples of liquid waste released by the hotel.

The sales and marketing manager of Hotel HA, who also handles public relations matters, said the "accusation" was new to her.

"Our hotel has never been accused of being an environmental hazard ... We have always been very clean," the manager said.

No executives of the other companies could be reached for comment.

Abujoewono added that the remaining 65 percent of the waste in the city's waterways was contributed by residential and slum areas. (ylt)