Pollution chokes villagers

SAMPIT, Central Kalimantan: Villagers around PT Cahaya Mas and PT Sampit in the Mentawa Baru subdistrict, Ketapang regency, are complaining about air pollution caused by saw dust from a nearby wood processing industry and the smell of burnt rubber from the factories.

Saleh, a resident of Ketapang, was quoted by Antara as saying that the pollution had been going on for years but the locals had never protested.

"We have reported this to government officials, but there has been no response," he said.

Saleh and his colleague Ridwan said that if nothing were done soon to solve the problem, the local people might attack the factories.

"The problem is actually quite simple. All they (the companies) have to do is burn their sawdust in a hearth so the ash doesn't pollute the air," Saleh said.

He said PT Cahaya Mas currently piled its saw dust in a mound in an open area before burning it, causing ash to fill the sky. (pwn)