Regional Greenpeace head to be Indonesian

Regional Greenpeace head to be Indonesian

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Global environmental group Greenpeace has named Emmy Hafild, a
seasoned environmentalist and former director of the Indonesian
Forum for the Environment (Walhi), as the new executive director
of its Southeast Asian arm.

Emmy will lead the regional office in its "nonviolent and
direct actions" against environmental abuses and destruction.

"Mrs. Hafild will lead Greenpeace Southeast Asia through its
mission to protect Southeast Asia's abundant ecosystems," the
group said in a press statement on Monday.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia board chairman Opart Panya said the
group "is proud" to have Emmy joining it and looked forward to
seeing her take Greenpeace Southeast Asia forward.

"We have a lot of work to do in this region -- rapid
industrialization has made the region one of the most
economically dynamic regions in the world today, and along with
that comes the threat of pollution, deforestation, climate change
and genetic contamination," Panya said.

Commenting on the appointment, Emmy said she would focus on
promoting reforestation and curbing illegal logging in the
region, as well as reducing pollution and encouraging the use of
alternative energies.

"As for Indonesia, as the world's fourth largest contributor
to the greenhouse effect, we suggest that the government use part
of the subsidy money it is saving by raising fuel prices to
develop alternative energy sources," she said.

As Greenpeace Southeast Asia regional director, Emmy will be
based in both Bangkok and Bogor, West Java.

Prior to her appointment, Emmy was the secretary-general of
the Jakarta-based corruption watchdog Transparency International
Indonesia.

The holder of a master of science in environmental studies
from the University of Wisconsin, U.S., Emmy has several awards
under her belt for her work on environmental issues, including
the Satya Lencana Pembangunan medal conferred by president
Megawati Soekarnoputri in 2001. Emmy was also named by Time
magazine as one of the "Heroes of the Planet" in 1999.