Public protests pollution

JAKARTA: Dozens of demonstrators staged a protest at City Hall on Thursday, demanding Governor Sutiyoso take stern measures against an oil driller they said was polluting the waters of the Thousands Islands.

The protesters, members of the Environment Care Society, targeted offshore drilling firm PT Cnooc Ses, which they said was polluting the seawater from its platform in the Thousand Islands regency. They demanded Sutiyoso order the company to clean up the oil spills created by the drilling.

Coordinator Yozep, as quoted by Tempointeraktif.com, said administration officials -- including Sutiyoso -- knew about the pollution and let it happen.

The protesters carried banners saying "Sutiyoso and PT Cnooc Ses responsible for environmental damage in Thousands Islands" and "Punish the polluters in the Thousands Islands".

The slick has killed fish, destroyed coral reefs and damaged beaches at Pantara Barat, Pantara Timur, Matahari and Subaru Kecil islands. -- JP