Explosives need more control

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives' Commission I for defense and security affairs called for the establishment of an independent body to control the use of explosives.

The new body, which would supervise the production, distribution, trade and documentation to do with explosive materials throughout the country, would be expected to curb the improper use of the potentially fatal materials.

The House recommended the new body on Monday following a hearing with the board of directors of PT Dahana, the state explosives supplier.

There have been several bombings in the country dating back to 2000, in large part, because of an absence of strict regulations to control illegal trade and use of explosives, PT Dahana President Director Rusbandi said.

There are nine companies authorized to produce, distribute and trade explosives. They are state-owned firms PT Dahana, PT Pindad, PT Pupuk Kaltim, as well as private companies PT Multi Nitroline Kimia, PT Tridaya Esta, PT Armindo Prima, PT Trifita Perkasa, PT Inti Cellulosa Utama Indonesia and PT Asa Karya.

Of the nine companies, only two of them, PT Dahana and PT Pindad, have licenses to supply explosives for military purposes. The other companies use explosives for commercial purposes, mostly in the mining industry. -- JP