International ecology standards could hurt RI

JAKARTA (JP): A legal adviser to the government warned yesterday that implementing international standards in ecology laws could lead to dependence on wealthy nations for environmental technology.

Sunaryati Hartono, who presides over the Ministry of Justice's Agency for the Development of National Laws, said international standards are often based on the technological capability of developed countries.

She argued that these standards are ideals and developing countries like Indonesia often lack the know-how and ability to fully comply with them.

"Like it or not, in the end we will have to purchase equipment from them and this will create dependence," she said in a seminar on National Environmental Laws in Facing the 21st Century.

The two-day seminar, which began here yesterday, is held by the Environmental Impact Management Agency.

"I don't like it," she said. "If these international standards are truly international in nature, then developing countries also have to participate in defining them."

Environmental standards are becoming contiguous with trade. Among them is the application of "eco-labeling" which signifies whether a product was produced using environmentally friendly procedures, and the ISO 14000 environmental management standard.

In Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmaja's written statement delivered at the opening of the seminar by his secretary, Sudarsono, reference was made to complying with ISO 14000.

"Indonesia has begun to prepare various instruments to support its implementation," Sarwono said, pointing out environmental audits as an example.

He added that owing to the growing importance given to environmental issues, it is important to delve and look into Indonesia's own environmental law and seek ways of improving it.

Obstacles

Sunaryati listed various legal and technical obstacles apart from the fact that Indonesia is several decades behind in starting its industrial revolution.

The size and make-up of the country are serious challenges, she noted. Sunaryati explained that several stages of development exist simultaneously in Indonesia.

"Our country is living in 20 centuries at once," she said describing the diverse stages of progress.

She said that despite all these constraints, Indonesia is forced to make up ground in a short span of time and survive in a parameter set by those who established themselves over a century earlier.

"The Indonesian society is like an elementary school child who is forced to pass a law bar exam," she said.

Sunaryati said a commitment from the government in the field of law is vital at this point.

She said that due to the focus on economic development in the past few years, the development of the law has been neglected.

"We need adequate funding," Sunaryati said. (mds)