Cement factory awaits decision

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) has denied rumors that the government has given its approval for the construction of a cement factory inside the Gunung Leuser National Park.

Chairman of North Sumatra's WALHI, Efendi Panjaitan, said the Environmental Impact Management Assessment (BAPEDAL) has informed him that the agency has not made any decision about the application to construct the cement plant in the national park.

Local newspapers have quoted Langkat Regent Zulkifly Harahap as saying recently that Pabrik Semen Langkat, managed by the Lafarge Group, would begin its plant construction soon.

Harahap claimed that the two-million hectare nature reserve would not be polluted by the factory because it would use sophisticated technology.

The company would invest US$200 million for the plant which could produce 1.4 million tons of cement per year. (21/prb)