Companies neglect environment: Official

TANGERANG (JP): As many as 40 industrial companies here do not have adequate official documents on their activities managing and monitoring the impact of their businesses on the environment, an official said on Sunday.

The head of Tangerang's environmental office, M. Harun, said the fee for obtaining such documents issued by his office, locally known as UKL/UPL, was about Rp 11 million (US$1,640).

"The fee is much cheaper than installing a new waste water processing unit, which could cost hundreds of millions of rupiah," Harun said.

According to him, most of the 40 companies are concerned with the metal, garment and textile sectors.

Harun expressed the worry that export-oriented companies that lacked the documents would find it difficult obtaining ISO certificates, which have become an important criterion for foreign investors dealing with local firms.

He also said that company executives could be charged under the Law No. 23/1997 on the Environment, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and fines of up to Rp 500 million if waste from their companies affects people living in the area.

"If the waste causes fatalities, the executives could even face 15 years in jail and Rp 750 million in fines," Harun said.

Tangerang is home to 1,061 factories, but Harun's office has so far inspected only 420, including the 40 companies that have no UKL/UPL papers.(41/jun)