Govt pay no serious heed to environmental issues
Govt pay no serious heed to environmental issues
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration had the worst record
of every previous administration in this country with regard to
environmental concerns, a non-governmental organization said.
The Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL) said the
enforcement of environmental laws had worsened in comparison with
previous administrations.
"The gloomy picture on the enforcement of environmental laws
in Indonesia is merely a proof of this government's weak
commitment to imposing the principles of Good Sustainable
Development Governance," ICEL executive director Wiwiek Awiati
said on Friday.
During a celebration of ICEL's 9th anniversary, which falls on
July 19, its researchers revealed that the absence of a pro-
environment policy had allowed alleged perpetrators to walk free
and had stepped up repressive measures against anyone who
struggles on behalf of the environment.
The government's lack of attention to environmental issues has
seemingly emboldened law enforcers to block public demands for
legal proceedings against those who contravene existing
environmental laws. This, has led to recent clashes and protests
in many provinces where villagers feel they are being repressed
while their traditional lands continue to be destroyed.
ICEL deputy Indro Sugiarto said that the prolonged economic
crisis had been the main excuse for the government to overlook
environmental issues and, instead, to stick to its (short-term)
economic growth paradigm which welcomed investors but encouraged
uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources.
He cited an example such as the suggestion from Coordinating
Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti to allow
protected forests to be exploited for mining, as well as the
policy on permits for genetically modified seeds or products to
enter the country, which neglected international principles of
prudence.
This apparent neglect seems to contradict some ministers'
official words at the recently concluded 4th Preparatory
Committee Meeting on Sustainable Development, which was hosted by
Indonesia.
Commenting on the proposal of State Minister for Environment
Nabiel Makarim on the establishment of a "Formula 12" special
team comprised of judges and prosecutors to handle environmental
cases, Indro stressed that the issue was much more complex than
simply assembling a few environmentally conscious judges and
prosecutors.
ICEL co-founder Mas Achmad Santosa, who is now its senior
researcher, suggested several solutions to encourage legal
enforcement, including to develop a "one-stop enforcement system"
where the selected civilian investigators, police and prosecutors
were put under Nabiel's office and the ministry's regional
offices.
"The government should also 'green' the bench by appointing
qualified judges or letting non-career judges handle
environmental cases. Another alternative would be to establish a
special environmental court," he said.
In the short-term, Santosa urged the government to cooperate
with the National Ombudsman Commission to investigate bribery
allegations in the courts, especially in environmental cases with
dubious outcomes.