Bogor verdict crucial to environmental agency

Bogor verdict crucial to environmental agency

JAKARTA (JP): The Bogor District Court could set a major legal
precedent when it announces the verdicts in the trials of two
sand quarrying companies on April 21.

Both are being charged with destroying the environment.

The Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal) said
yesterday the verdicts will be crucial to the government's fight
against the highly destructive practices of sand quarrying.

"We expect a fair decision," Bapedal deputy for pollution
control Nabiel Makarim said.

This is the first time that public prosecutors have used the
1982 Environmental Law dealing with sand quarrying. But even they
themselves shied away from pushing for the maximum three-year
imprisonment term for environmental destruction.

Instead, they demanded one year and nine months each for PT
Putra Wira Sejati and PT Wadah Rejeki Alam, both of Bogor.

Nabiel said Bapedal has lined up seven other Bogor companies
for prosecution, all for similar offenses.

They are PT Sertu Alam Makmur, Conblock Indonesia, PT Sari
Zam-Zam, PT Bumi Karya Sena, PT Sehati Jaya Pratama, PT Ika Trias
Serangkai, and PT Giat Swati Mandiri.

Because of close proximity to Jakarta, Bogor is a favorite
target for sand quarrying. (prs)