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)