PPLi responds

PPLi responds

We are writing this letter in relation to two articles
published in The Jakarta Post that contained inaccurate and
misleading information concerning hazardous waste processing firm
Prasadha Pamunah Limbah Industri (PPLi).

The articles in question are titled Waste processing firm
fails to identify explosive substances, published on May 14, and
Mislabeling caused explosion: Investigation, which was published
on May 10. We feel obliged to clarify the inaccuracies that were
reported about PPLi.

PPLi and an independent institution from the University of
Indonesia conducted a comprehensive investigation following the
March 9 fire at PPLi's drum unloading location. As required by
regulations, PPLi reported the results of this investigation. The
cause of the incident and a list of materials destroyed by the
fire were reported on April 9 to the Office of the State Minister
for the Environment, as the environmental authority in Indonesia.

In this respect, the state minister for the environment
supported (praised) the actions taken by PPLi in handling the
issue, especially as we fully upheld transparency in the
investigation, while also expressing his concern about the
incident.

Second, in a meeting with Commission C of the Bogor Regency
Council on May 17, PPLi reported the results of the investigation
to all of the members of the commission. The Bogor Regency
Council wanted to understand the situation and was concerned, as
was PPLi, about the incident. The council advised PPLi to do its
best to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring.

Third, in response to a printed statement by Bogor Regency
Council Commission C chairman Dedi Mulyadi that the fire polluted
the air and water of local residents, PPLi has conclusive
evidence that this statement is inaccurate. The results of water
and air monitoring tests, and detailed observations conducted by
a certified laboratory at the University of Indonesia, confirmed
that no such pollutant levels were present and all test results
met acceptable standards.

The results were also reported to the regional Environmental
Impact Management Agency and the Bureau of Urban Planning and the
Environment.

While PPLi takes this incident seriously, we point out that
the infrastructure and trained personnel performed as planned and
in accordance with standards to protect the environment, our
employees and our neighbors. We invited reporters and experts
alike to tour our site and review the situation firsthand.

EDWARD A. CORCORAN, President, PPLi, Jakarta