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)