Minister accused of nepotism

Minister accused of nepotism

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) on
Friday launched another salvo against State Minister of
Environment Panangian Siregar on his decision to allow
importation of waste clay from Singapore, accusing the minister
of handing his son a chunk of the business.

Walhi's project officer on industrial pollution, Nurhayati,
alleged a company owned by the minister's son, Martin Siregar,
won the contract to import millions of cubic meters of clay
excavated for the Singapore Mass Rapid Transport (MRT)
construction project.

According to Nurhayati, PT Bangka Dwiwukir Lestari won the
contract to import the clay to Bangka in South Sumatra.

Meanwhile, PT Media Kertaraharja, a foundation linked to the
office of the coordinating minister for political affairs and
security, was appointed to import 15 million cubic meters of the
clay, she said.

"There are strong indications the importation of the toxic
waste is full of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN)," she
said.

To mark World Environment Day, which falls on June 5, Walhi
staged a peaceful demonstration at Panangian's office in East
Jakarta to protest the controversial deal. They did not meet the
minister.

Walhi said Panangian had "blood on his hands" for his alleged
involvement in the July 27, 1997, takeover of the office of the
Indonesian Democratic Party, then led by Megawati Soekarnoputri,
which provoked rioting and many fatalities. Panangian remains
part of PDI, which is distinct from Megawati's Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Only two months after joining the Cabinet, he appointed PT
Media Kertaraharja to import the clay from Singapore to
rehabilitate a damaged mangrove forest in Pelambung Bay on
Karimun Besar Island.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry issued an import permit for
the company in September because Panangian recommended it as a
"nontoxic" material.

The company boasted the country could earn at least Rp 100
billion in foreign exchange from the business. Singapore plans to
excavate about 8.5 million cubic meters of clay. It is not clear
whether the importation has occurred.

"Martin's company, PT Bangka Dwiwukir Lestari, won the
contract to import the clay to be used in Bangka," Nurhayati
alleged.

The hazardous waste will be used to fill in the huge ponds,
caused by tin mining activities on the island, she said.

"It is very embarrassing that a minister awarded a business
contract to his own son," she said. (prb)