President wants environmentally sound goods
President wants environmentally sound goods
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that
industries should make environmentally sound products or risk
losing in global market competition.
"In developing our national products, we must make it a policy
to produce products that are environmentally friendly," President
Soeharto said in his speech marking World Environment Day.
Referring to this year's theme, For the Sake of Life on Earth,
the President said the causes of environmental problems varied
from one country to the next.
He said developed countries faced ecological problems because
of an excessive use of natural resources and extravagant
lifestyles, while in developing countries environmental problems
stemmed from poverty, backwardness and ignorance.
"To improve our products' competitiveness in the international
market, we must meet international standards, including
ecolabeling," said the President.
During the ceremony at the State Palace, Soeharto presented
awards to individuals, organizations and cities for their role in
helping protect the environment.
Adipura awards were awarded to 263 towns and cities for their
success in promoting cleanliness.
Central Jakarta, Surabaya and Semarang were among the 24
cities which won the highest honor, the Adipura Kencana award. It
was the fourth consecutive time they had won the Adipura award.
Among recipients of the Adipura awards were four of Jakarta's
five mayoralties; Bandung and Medan in the category of
metropolitan cities; Padang and Surakarta in the category of
large cities; Yogyakarta and Pematang Siantar for medium-sized
towns; Bukittinggi and Fakfak for small towns.
President Soeharto also presented Kalpataru awards to
individuals for their outstanding dedication to environmental
preservation.
Kalpataru awards went to Achmad Amin of West Lombok, West Nusa
Tenggara, in the category of environmental pioneer; three
villagers including Nyinte of Kutai, East Kalimantan, in the
category of environmental devotees; and three activists including
Dr. Birute H.F. Galdikas from Tanjung Puting National Park in
Kotawaringin Barat, Central Kalimantan, in the category of
environmental advocate.
Galdikas, 51, a naturalized Indonesian, is the founder of the
International Foundation for Orang Utan. Born in Germany and
reared in Canada, Galdikas married Bohap, a Dayak farmer.
She is the mother of two sons, one daughter, and 100
orangutans.
A village group from Krui, Lampung, was also awarded in the
environmental rescuer category.
State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said
partnership between the public, businesses, NGOs and the
government was necessary to effectively preserve the environment.
Only with such an approach can the environment be effectively
managed, he said.
At present, he said, there was a lack of coordination among
people of various fields in environmental management in
Indonesia. (06/39)
Campaign -- Page 2
Adipura -- Page 3