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