Sea pollution in Batam

Sea pollution in Batam

From Media Indonesia

It seems that less has been done to prevent the sea from being
polluted compared to antipollution efforts on land. Indonesian
territory largely consists of water. Now that the land has been
looted and polluted, should we sit by idly, unconcerned about our
seas? These are our territorial waters that are being eyed by the
people who have looted and polluted our land.

A regional autonomy policy is not a blessing but a disaster in
maintaining and saving the country's sea environment. Regional
administrations have become arrogant and greedy; more tragically,
for the sake of position and money they will simply let their
territory be contaminated and looted.

The case of the Natuna Sea must concern us all. There are also
similar cases, that of the Bina Kabil barge which continued to
pour out diesel oil mixed with leaded gasoline while it sunk in
the waters of Batu Besar in Batam, and also the case of the
Karimun marine contamination brought about by a sand-digging
company supplying needs in Singapore.

It is now time for us to work together. In response to the
call made by the Alliance of Concerned Students of Karimun
District, we should take part in voicing and legally protesting
the presence of the parties contaminating and damaging
Indonesia's sea environment.

The Institute for Indonesian Sea Environment Research and
Rescue (LPLI) is ready to help Indonesians, particularly the
communities around Batam island and Karimun district, to take
legal action against those contaminating and damaging our seas.

GABRIEL G. DE SOLA

LPLI Public Relations Director

Jakarta