Export of excavated material

We refer to your article Alert sounded in dumping of hazardous waste in RI dated Nov. 9, 1999 (page 2).

The Singapore Ministry of the Environment has not issued permits to any Singaporean or Indonesian company to export excavated materials, including marine clay, from Singapore to Indonesia for whatever purpose. There are adequate facilities in Singapore for the reuse and disposal of excavated materials, including marine clay.

Excavated materials, including marine clay, in Singapore are not contaminated with hazardous substances. Our studies have shown that marine clay in Singapore contains only normal trace levels of heavy metals.

Singapore has not received any report on the arrest of Yuan Cheng, 19, from the Pollution Control Agency or any other Indonesian authority. We have, however, commenced our own investigation into the incident. It is possible that the material might have been transported illegally.

Singapore does not condone illegal dumping of wastes, including excavated materials and marine clay, whether within or outside Singapore. We have in place stringent laws and enforcement programs to prevent illegal dumping of waste. There are also severe penalties for illegal dumping of waste and these include heavy fines and jail terms. We will not hesitate to take stringent action against any Singaporean company that is found dumping waste illegally.

LOW PIT CHEN

First Secretary

Singapore Embassy

Jakarta