Environment agency open to public scrutiny
Environment agency open to public scrutiny
JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday introduced the concept of "democratization of pollution control", saying that anyone is free to question the operations of the Environmental Impact Management Agency.
State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja told a business gathering that the agency, known here as Bapedal, is open to public scrutiny.
He said the Program for Pollution Control Evaluation and Rating, known by its acronym of Proper, represents a "democratization of pollution control", because of its transparency. The program was set up as part of the Clean River program, known as Prokasih.
Under the program, the agency is to rate the environmental performance of companies based on investigations over a certain period.
The openness of the Agency, he said, is supported by technical information packaged in simple terms.
This allows easy access to data on businesses' environmental performance, which is expected to lead to greater public involvement, he said.
So far, despite rapidly increasing awareness of environmental issues, the publics' say in pollution control is hampered by its lack of ability to understand the technical aspects involved, Sarwono said.
He said that the public will appreciate firms which take pains to apply environmental standards well, and pressure those which fail to comply with the regulations.
The event was hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and an environmental trade association called Hidup Indonesia.
Bapedal deputy Nabiel Makarim explained the compulsory business performance rating programs for firms operating along 54 river in 17 provinces this year.
The Proper-Prokasih program includes 1,124 factories, and is voluntary for other companies.
Sarwono said the private sector has responded positively to the performance rating program. "Sixty firms have volunteered to be rated by Bapedal," he said.
He said the current awareness enables policy to shift from legal enforcement to public exposure of socially responsible businesses.
However, this exposure must be based on the credibility of the institution, in this case Bapedal, he said. (anr)