President marks Earth Day, admits tough decisions

President marks Earth Day, admits tough decisions

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid emphasized the
government's commitment to environment preservation but conceded
that compromises must sometimes be made for the country's
economic interests.

During a commemoration of the 30th Earth Day at the State
Palace on Saturday, the President cited that he was often at a
paradox on several issues including the controversy over pulp and
rayon firm PT Inti Indorayon, in Porsea, North Sumatra.

Saying he personally could understand people's demands for
closing of the factory due to alleged environmental degradation,
but as head of state, he also is bound to honor international law
and protect the interests of foreign investors.

"If the arbitration decides that the (factory operation)
should go ahead, then we must allow its operation but with our
own conditions," the President remarked.

Nevertheless he maintained that he would not forsake the
country's environment for the mere sake of short term economic
benefit.

"We are often in the position where we have to make a median
decision. Sometimes we have to harm the interests of a certain
group," he said.

Abdurrahman asserted that he would not hesitate taking drastic
measures if the country's interest were in great danger, citing a
recent decision to cancel a foreign investment in an oil refinery
in South Sulawesi.

He said he canceled the decision of his predecessor, B.J.
Habibie, to permit PT Hemoco Selayar International Oil Refinery,
a joint venture between a Kuwaiti firm and its local partners, to
build a US$2.4 billion oil refinery and petrochemical complex on
Selayar island.

He said he had asked the company to find another location in
Sulawesi, because the company's operation in Selayar island would
pollute the sea around the island and endanger its coral reefs.

"As Pak Habibie was too concerned with technology, he gave the
permit. But I decided to scrap the permit after learning the real
situation there," Abdurrahman noted.

Cars

State Minister of Environment Sony Keraf has been trying to
boost the commemoration of Earth Day by, among other things,
calling on people to refrain from using automobiles on Sunday.

Aware of the appeal, Abdurrahman said he could not oblige.

"Tomorrow (Sunday) I must go to Surabaya. It's impossible for
me not to use a car. You should have informed me about the
program much earlier," the President said with a smile.

Separately, residents in the capital showed mixed reactions
over the appeal not use their private vehicles on Sunday.

"It won't be a big problem for me to follow the call as it is
a holiday," said businessman Gunawan Tjahjadi.

Restaurant manager Johny Nicholas said that he could only
follow the appeal after going to church in the morning. "There's
no other choice then using my private car to go to the church
tomorrow," he said.

Earlier on Saturday around 1,000 pedicab drivers in Jakarta
commemorated Earth Day by pedaling their becaks on the city's
main thoroughfares even though existing law actually prohibit
them from passing through these streets.

"The becak is an environment-friendly vehicle. But the vehicle
is banned from operating in Jakarta by the administration," said
Edi Saidi, the rally coordinator

Meanwhile, in Denpasar, Bali, environment non-governmental
organizations staged various events.

Members of WWF Wallacea Bioregion Bali and the Center for
Environmental Education (PPLH) cleaned the solid garbage heaped
underwater in the Nusa Lembongan area.

A "different" activity was conducted by the Ashram Bali Gandhi
Vidyapith, one of the noted spiritual groups in Bali. The group
together with other spiritual groups held a prayer called
Mahasanti Puja Jagra Bumi (a prayer to preserve the earth) at the
legislative council building in Denpasar Saturday night.

Meanwhile in the Central Java capital, Semarang youths and
students used the occasion to urge the government to care more
for the environment.

At least 1,000 students grouped in Indonesian Alliance for the
Earth and Life (AIBKB) staged a peaceful demonstration at the
Simpang Lima area to protest development programs which neglect
the environment.

The Bandung administration is also calling for its residents
not to use their private automobiles from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
on Sunday.

Administration spokesman Ishaq Rauf announced through local
radio stations and publications that the appeal was in response
to the state minister's request.

Ishaq claimed air pollution in Bandung had reached an
intolerable limit. "This can be seen at city parks where most of
the plants do not have flowers," he said without elaborating.
(har/zen/25/ind/asa/sur/prb)