House rips govt over toxic imports

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