Polluters must be tried

Polluters must be tried

From Koran Tempo

The environmental damage occurring today is a direct result of
the improper management of natural resources in the past.

The environmental aspect was severely neglected because of the
government's poor legal approach and the insufficient public
participation in campaigns concerning conservation.

It is only proper that the office of the State Minister of the
Environment has made efforts to take those companies that have
neglected the environment to court. This effort must always be
supported and continued, as otherwise, succeeding generations
will only inherit a badly damaged environment.

In this regard, political and economic situations at home and
abroad directly affect corporate responsibility in managing
natural resources. Clearly, the government's role in ensuring
that the environment is maintained well is considerable.

Now that activities that damage the environment are
categorized under environmental terrorism, the office of the
State Minister of the Environment is all the more justified to
take to court those domestic or foreign companies that have
damaged the environment in their business operations. It is
indeed a difficult job to take these companies to court, because
they maintain good relations with local administrations, non-
governmental organizations, political parties and the mass media.

This is why the office of the State Minister of the
Environment has only been able to bring only a handful of such
companies to justice.

Nevertheless, the office must continue to be firm in dealing
with environmental polluters because the majority of people,
particularly the green group, continue to support this law
enforcement effort in the environmental sector.

EMEN NSTN
Bengkulu