Palu students reject mining bylaw

PALU, Central Sulawesi: At least 100 Palu student activists from the Students Against Mining League stated their opposition to Bylaw No.1/2004 on permission to carry out mining in protected forests. Their objection was made before officials from the provincial government on Thursday, and was filled with anticapitalist protest.

The protest continued as officials listened to students from Senate Executive Boards of various universities in Palu, who demanded the Central Sulawesi government reject the bylaw on the grounds that it could result in damage to the environment.

Having issued the bylaw, the government they said, had mortgaged the forests in the interests of capitalists who never sided with the public.

Andi Akbar from Tadulako University's Senate Executive Board said issuance of the bylaw would clearly destroy the forest park in Peboya, West Palu, and the wildlife reserve in Bangkiriang, Banggai regency. Both areas are scheduled for exploration in the near future as they both have huge mineral deposits. -- JP