Dumping trash at the German embassy

The dumping of plastic trash, which was allegedly imported by a German company, in the front yard of the German embassy in Jakarta by a number of scavengers recently was a very shameful act. It reflected people's ignorance of import procedures and the customs office operation.

If the allegations that it was imported by an Indonesian importer and approved by the customs office in Tanjung Priok are true, the culprits who deserve to have garbage thrown at them are the importer and customs, not the German embassy.

A number of things need to be straightened out.

First, the German language on the trash does not necessarily mean that it came from Germany. This needs rechecking.

Second, could an exporter abroad send illegal goods here without the help of an Indonesian importer and the approval of the customs office?

It is our hope that the German embassy will not construe the actions of the scavengers as representing the attitude of the Indonesian people.

ILHAMY ELIAS

Chairman of PIPLI

Indonesian Environmental Management and

Information Center