Rini wants end to sand exports

JAKARTA: Minister of Industry and Trade Rini Soewandi has sent a letter to State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim urging him to put an end to sand exports from Bintan island, Riau, to Singapore.

"It is a good sign as usually we are not on the same side," Minister Nabiel told reporters at his office on Monday.

Nabiel said the government had long banned sand exports, including to neighboring Singapore and Malaysia.

Some 50 firms have reportedly exported sand from Bintan to Singapore, causing serious environmental destruction. --JP