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