House rips govt over toxic imports

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives said on Wednesday that the office of the State Minister of the Environment was too slow in addressing the ongoing importation of toxic waste in the country.

"(Minister) Rachmat Witoelar does not have the courage to take strict measures against those importing thousands of tons of toxic waste (and dumping it here)," a member of the House committee debating the issue, Alvin Lie, said.

He suggested that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reprimand the minister for his lack of effort.

Alvin also questioned why a number of people were able to obtain permits to import toxic waste, such as on Batam island, despite the 1997 Environment Law, which bans such an activity.

The committee, he said, is considering whether or not to file a formal report with the Corruption Eradication Commission to investigate the irregularities in the issuance of such a permit. -- Antara