Green law enforcement sought

JAKARTA: The Office of the State Minister of the Environment, the Attorney General's Office and the National Police plan to set up an integrated office that will enable them to work together to enforce the Environment Law, a minister says.

Environment minister Nabiel Makarim said on Tuesday the move was inspired by the fact that many cases of environmental destruction were left unpunished.

He said of nine cases brought to the court last year, five were rejected by the district court, two cases were lost at the high court, and two cases had not been heard in court.

The integrated office is expected to improve coordination among officials, Nabiel said.

The three government institutions will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the matter in February, with the implementation set for May.

Nabiel said his office had reported violations of the Environment Law, including pollution and forest fires, involving 18 companies to the police. -- Antara