Alert sounded in dumping of hazardous waste in RI

Alert sounded in dumping of hazardous waste in RI

JAKARTA (JP): The Agency for Environment Control (Bappedal)
warned on Monday of hazardous waste imported from Singapore and
Taiwan.

Recent research conducted by the agency on samples of waste
from the mass rapid transportation construction project in
Singapore revealed that it contained "dubiously legal
construction waste," Bappedal deputy chief of the environmental
pollution control division Haryoto Kusnoputranto told Antara.

Haryoto said the illegal material was transported by two ships
from Singapore to Bangka Island, South Sumatra on the
recommendation of former state minister of environment Panangian
Siregar.

"The recommendation served only as an initial approval to
waste importing activities, but it needed Bappedal's agreement,"
Haryoto said, adding that his office had not issued the approval
yet.

He explained that Bappedal assigned an investigative team to
go to Riau to collect a sample of the imported waste for testing
at the Bappedal laboratory and to estimate the pollution level
caused by the waste.

The analysis of the waste would be finalized in the next few
days, he said.

The Riau provincial government has also refused entry for
construction waste from Singapore, which could cause destruction
of the soil, especially its fertility.

New State Minister of Environment Soni Keraf indicated on
Sunday that he would issue a regulation to revoke his
predecessor's recommendation.

Haryoto also warned all governors to be very cautious of
imported hazardous waste from Taiwan, which was suspected to
contain radioactive material.

He said the waste was believed to have been dumped in remote
areas away from the surveillance of regional administrations and
officials.

"We have alerted all regions and all governors to increase
surveillance on remote areas, which seem to be targeted," Haryoto
was quoted by Antara as saying.

Surveillance of Taiwanese ships in Indonesian waters also had
to be increased to prevent hazardous waste dumping, he said. (02)