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