Chemistry lesson for Amrozi's Lawyer

Chemistry lesson for Amrozi's Lawyer

In an interview with The Jakarta Post, Muhammad Sya'af,
spokesperson for the Muslim Lawyer's Team representing Amrozi
(The Jakarta Post, Jan. 4, 2002), said that in Amrozi's official
account under examination he found a number of loopholes and
weaknesses, among others, the use of potassium chlorate. He said
that farmers used this substance as a plant fertilizer and
countered Edward Aritonang's statement that this chemical
substance could be used as an explosive.

In history, potassium chlorate has never been used as a plant
fertilizer. Sya'af has apparently mixed up chlorate salt with
nitrate. Sodium, potassium and amonium nitrates can be used as
fertilizers as well as a mixture for explosive. A month ago, the
Philippines government banned sodium nitrate as an over-the-
counter substance as this fertilizer can be used in explosives.

In The Merck Index, an excellent guide book for students of
pharmacy, apart from the general description of potassium
chlorate, there is a warning in italics saying: "Keep out of
contact with organic matter or other oxidizable substances.
Caution: Explodes with sulfuric acid; inflames with explosion if
triturated with any organic substances, sulfur, phosphorous,
sulfite, hypophosphite and other oxidizable substances." USE:
Explosives; fireworks, matches, etc." Obviously, this substance
has never been used as a plant fertilizer.

Before making a statement that discredits Aritonang, Sya'af
should have consulted someone well-versed in chemistry.

SUNARTO PRAWIROSURJANTO, South Jakarta