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