NGOs propose institution to handle public complaints

NGOs propose institution to handle public complaints

JAKARTA (JP): Local non-governmental organizations proposed
yesterday an institution in charge of handling public complaints
on environmental problems.

Representatives from 12 Jakarta-based NGOs said that the
institution should be guaranteed by the environmental law, which
is soon to be revised.

The activists filed their proposal in a discussion with
legislators from the government-backed Golkar party faction in
the House of Representatives, which is seeking ways to amend the
1982 law.

The proposed center will serve as a governmental institution
to channel people's complaints regarding what they suspect or
consider to be pollution or environmental damage.

"We suggest that an article on the establishment of the
institution be included in the environmental bill," Indro
Sugianto, a delegate of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation,
said.

The current environmental law makes no mention of such an
institution. People usually lodge their complaints on
environmental issues with the House or the government's
Environmental Impact Management Agency.

"The absence of such an institution makes people's complaints
difficult to follow up," Indro said.

The NGO activists brought forth 11 proposals to amend the
environmental law that they have often branded as "toothless".

Prominent among the 12 NGOs were the Indonesian Consumers
Agency (YLKI), the Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi), and
the Center for Information and Development Studies (Cides).

Mas Achmad Santosa of the Indonesian Center for Environmental
Law (ICEL) told the legislators that the suggestions would add
teeth to the future law on the environment.

"We want a better law. If the future law is not better than
the existing one, we'd rather not have any at all," he told six
Golkar faction members led by Didin S. Sastrapradja.

Santoso said the future law should encourage public
participation in environmental issues for people's empowerment.

State Minister for Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja earlier
said the government needs people's control in environmental
management issues.

Submitted by the government in January, the bill will be
deliberated in June.

House members are racing against time to deliberate 30 bills
before their service term end on Oct. 1. (aan)