Police detain polluters

Police detain polluters

BOGOR: Bogor Police arrested eight of 16 owners of car battery
recycling plants in Ciampea district of Bogor on suspicion of
causing environmental damage in the area.

Bogor Police subprecinct chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. M. Taufik said
on Friday that in their car battery recycling business, they
burnt the batteries, which released dangerous chemical substances
into the atmosphere that were hazardous to human health.

According to Taufik, the chemical substance caused irritation
to the eyes, respiratory ailments, and could have an adverse
effect on IQ levels, especially for children.

The eight people were arrested after the police received a
report of a study from the Office of the State Minister of the
Environment, saying that the battery burning produced hazardous
chemical substances.

"They are now being detained at the Bogor Police subprecinct
and will be taken to Cibinong District Court in the near future,"
he said.

The other eight people were still being questioned by the
police and could be also named suspects in the same case.

Taufik said that this was the first case related to
environmental pollution being handled by a police subprecinct in
Indonesia.--JP

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Focus-Sutiyoso-irregularities
Sutiyoso supports irregularities probe
JP/8/Greater

Sutiyoso supports irregularities probe

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday that he supported an
investigation by the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office into alleged
irregularities reported by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

"I support the action taken by the prosecutor's office. I will
punish any official who is proven guilty," said Sutiyoso.

He was commenting on the questioning of the head of the
population and civil registration agency, Silviana Murni, by
prosecutors on Thursday.

Silviana was the first city official questioned as a witness
in connection with the reports of irregularities worth some Rp
820 billion in several institutions under the control of the city
administration.

Sutiyoso also encouraged the prosecutor's office to question
other officials who may be responsible for the irregularities.

Before BPK revealed its findings in February, there had been
allegations of corruption involving city officials and city
councillors, but legal proceedings were not taken.--JP

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Focus-Tangerang-accident
One killed in three-vehicle pileup
JP/8/GREATER

One killed in three-vehicle pileup

TANGERANG: One man was killed and six others were injured in a
three-vehicle pileup on the Jakarta-Merak toll road in Serpong,
Tangerang, at 5 a.m. on Friday.

Truck driver Syamsul Ichwan, 32, who was transporting oranges
from Deli Serdang, North Sumatra to Jakarta, died as a result of
his injuries on the way to Al-Qadar Hospital in Karawaci. The
other six are in hospital receiving treatment.

It took officers three hours to extract Ichwan, a resident of
Pondok Rejo village, Deli Serdang, from the truck as he was
pinned between the dashboard and the seat. Morning rush hour
traffic also delayed transporting him to the hospital.

The accident backed up traffic heading toward Jakarta for five
kilometers, prompting PT Jasa Marga, the toll road management
company, to close the Bitung toll gate in the direction of Merak
until 9 a.m.

The pileup involved three trucks, including the one driven by
Syamsul, said M. Nur, a staff member of PT Jasa Marga. --JP