Environment law 'toothless'

Environment law 'toothless'

PEKANBARU, Riau: State Minister of Environment Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja wants tougher sentences for polluters and
destroyers of natural resources.

The courts only ever gives offenders probationary sentences
although everyone agrees they have committed serious crimes, he
said here over the weekend.

Two people taken to court separately in Riau for causing the
death of 12 elephants and smuggling toxic waste were put on
probation, he said.

"It seems our judges are just too kind. Anyone who goes to
court for causing environmental damage will be put on probation,"
he said as quoted by Antara.

"I don't understand what grounds judges use to give the
lenient sentences to environmental offenders," he said adding
that harsher punishment was necessary to deter would-be
offenders.

The government planned to revise the 1982 environmental law to
make it more effective, Sarwono said. (pan)