Now, for the action
Except for the rows of shabby fishermen's shacks along the waterfront, Buyat Bay, with its sandy beaches and surrounding greenery, could have been the stuff that picture postcards are made of. Lately, however, tragedy, worsened by controversy, has cast an ugly shadow over this deceptively looking idyllic spot about 110 kilometers northwest of North Sulawesi's provincial capital, Manado. Reports reaching Jakarta during the past week that at least one child has died and more than 100 local residents are suffering from metal poisoning have shocked the nation and raised serious questions about the government's commitment with regard to enforcing environmental safety standards throughout the country, especially in areas where heavy industries operate.
Minamata disease, an incurable life destroying affliction named after Minamata Bay in Japan, where it was first identified in the mid-1950s, has once again created widespread speculation in Indonesia. For years, it seems, people at and around Buyat Bay have noticed outbreaks of a strange disease, marked by itching and heavy skin rashes and swellings on various parts of the body. However, it was not until recently that the occurrence began to take alarming proportions. Local health workers identified the most recent outbreak as Minamata disease, though tests on victims have yet to prove this, and concern quickly began to spread, reaching far beyond the area. As a consequence, people elsewhere in the area have since begun to shun fish from the Buyat area, threatening the very livelihoods of Buyat fishermen.
Environmentalists have been quick to point their finger at PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Newmont Mining Corporation, which operates a gold mine in the area. After all, mercury, a metal most often blamed for causing the disease, is used in the extraction of gold. Residents and a number of non- governmental organizations in the province have since pressed charges against both the company and the minister of health for alleged neglect in upholding environmental safety standards. Newmont Minahasa Raya, for its part, has denied the charges and put the blame instead on the scores of local residents who illegally pan for gold in the area. The argument has not yet been resolved. Meanwhile, a number of Buyat residents arrived in Jakarta over the past week, both to press their case with the appropriate authorities and to seek medical treatment.
Although official laboratory test results are still being awaited, to assuage undue fears, Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi made it clear in a statement last week that the four Buyat patients undergoing treatment in Jakarta displayed no symptoms of Minamata disease, which mainly affects the nervous system. From what can be observed so far, however, the four Buyat patients have severe skin rashes, according to the minister.
In the final instance, of course, only laboratory tests can determine the true nature of the Buyat outbreak with any degree of certainty. This, however, must not be taken to mean that the Buyat disaster should be taken lightly. Other cases of metal poisoning have been reported, for example in the vicinity of Kayan River in East Kalimantan, and most recently in Jakarta Bay, where thousands of fish died due to the contaminated water of the bay.
An important point to note in all these cases is that, so far, the public has been given no official explanation as to the nature of the disasters, and what action has been taken to remedy the contamination and prevent future instances of pollution. In the case of Buyat, identifying the culprit in order to be able to take the appropriate measures is no doubt important. As far as the local population is concerned, however, it is much more important to identify the contaminating agents present in the bay so that action can be taken without delay. As things stand at present, the disaster is damaging the population not only in terms of health, but financially as well.