Plan to import clay from Singapore revoked
Plan to import clay from Singapore revoked
JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian company's controversial plan to
import discarded clay from Singapore has fallen through after the
Singaporean government refused to allow an exporting firm to
conduct the business.
Riau Deputy Governor Rustam S. Abrus announced the
cancellation of the plan on Wednesday, Antara reported.
Rustam said locally obtained sand could be used by the
importing company, PT Media Kertaraharja, if it insisted on
carrying through with the project to restore the province's
Pelambung and Karimun bays and Nipah island near Batam.
"We have sand and the price is cheap, please make use of it if
the company truly wants to rehabilitate mangrove plants or to
reclaim the coral reef," Rustam said in the provincial capital
Pekanbaru.
He claimed the provincial administration from the beginning
opposed the plan due to fears the clay could contain toxic
substances.
Controversy surfaced last year when State Minister of
Environment Panangian Siregar recommended the plan,
characterizing it as purely a business deal.
Media Kertaraharja is linked to a foundation under the office
of the coordinating minister of political affairs and security.
Its director claimed last year it would obtain Rp 100 billion
in foreign exchange from its Singaporean partner if it imported
the clay, reportedly from the island-state's Mass Rapid Transport
project.
Environmental activists and the local community and government
balked at the plan.
Antara also reported the cancellation would affect a similar
plan of clay importation from Singapore by PT Asenusa Putera
Sekawan. The company said it also wanted to reclaim Nipah island
near Batam as the site of a tourist resort.
No information was available on Asenusa's owner.
Rustam conceded the provincial administration gave
recommendations to the investor planning to reclaim the areas,
adding "it was just a site permit ... but it does not mean the
company can use imported waste from Singapore".
In a related development, South Sumatra Governor Rosihan
Arsyad separately said the province was ready to import the clay
from Singapore.
Head of South Sumatra's Regional Impact Management Agency
(Bapedalda) Buchori Marlan told journalists in Palembang on
Wednesday a laboratory test was being conducted in Jakarta to
determine if the material was toxic.
"We are waiting for the results," he was quoted as saying.
If subsequently proven nontoxic, the provincial administration
would ask permission of the provincial legislature and Bangka
regency legislature to allow the importation.
The clay would be used to fill excavations left from tin
mining by PT Timah in Bangka.
The news agency also reported that Rosihan said the local
government would receive S$1 per cubic meter of clay. (aan)