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)