Waste importers
Waste importers
The Dutch team sent here to investigate the containers with
toxic waste has concluded that 58 containers originated in
Rotterdam but that only four are filled with Dutch waste and
belong to Dutch exporters. The other 54 came from other sources.
Rotterdam, the largest port of Europe, is extensively used as a
port of transit. Nevertheless the Environmental Impact Management
Agency (Bapedal) is reported as having stated categorically that
the Netherlands should "take back the waste immediately."
Naturally waste originating from European countries should be
shipped back to those countries, but it would unreasonable to
expect the Netherlands to accept waste that is not its own and
was shipped through Rotterdam by fraudulent means (false
documents). Responsibility for goods shipped always remains with
the shipper and the fraudulent use of a port of transit does not
relieve the shipper of this liability.
Thus it is imperative that the authorities take stock and
determine the nature and origin of the waste, which can hardly be
done without the crucial cooperation of those who are equally
responsible for bringing the unsavory stuff here: the importers.
Therefore I join the Dutch team in its regret in "the inability
of the Indonesian authorities to arrange for a meeting with the
waste importers" (The Jakarta Post, May 18, 1994).
Under these conditions the Dutch team's task seems extremely
difficult, if not impossible.
BERT DE KORT
Jakarta
Another French
connection?
I am reproducing parts of an article which appeared in
Consumer Reports on Health which was quoted in the Reader's
Digest of May 1994 because it may be helpful to the Indonesian
people.
The "French Paradox" is familiar: heart disease in France is
low despite the national penchant for rich food and cigarettes.
Many dietary explanations have been offered, from the protective
effect of red wine to heavy consumption of fresh vegetables. Now
a new study adds another hypothesis.
Researchers in France and the United States examined the
eating habits of 50 middle-class Parisians and 50 similar Boston-
area residents. (It) showed that the French consumed nearly 60
percent of their daily calories before 2 p.m., while the
Americans took in less than 40 percent by that time. After lunch
- the main meal in France - the Parisians remained active and
averaged more than three hours before eating again; the Americans
were inactive and snacked within three hours.
While some scientific evidence suggest that increased physical
activity between meals may reduce a person's heart-disease risk,
could the timing of meals also play a role? (R)esearchers say
that consuming the bulk of one's calories earlier and allowing
plenty of time before consuming more should improve fat
metabolism, insulin production and perhaps the fluidity of the
blood - all important factors in coronary health.
An Indonesian doctor friend who is a chain smoker claims that
what kills people is the food. The above research seems to lend
credence to his statement.
What prompted me to write was my observation that many
Indonesians practice a continuous working day i.e. from morning
to 2 p.m. and do not work afterwards. As a consequence, I believe
that before 2 p.m. they consume an even smaller share of their
daily calories intake than the Boston-area residents.
My suggestion is that some research organization should carry
out a study in various parts of Indonesia to find out if there is
a relationship between heart disease and eating habits here in
Indonesia.
Of course these medical studies must always be taken with a
grain of salt. This is not because they are unreliable but
because human diseases quite complex in nature and might be due
to a number of hard to measure, interrelated causes.
ALEX WOLVESPERGERS
Medan, N. Sumatra
Nationalist
organization
From Sinar Pagi
The establishment of the Association of Indonesian Nationalist
Intellectuals (ICKI) has drawn much attention. The political
circle, legislators, government executives as well as the Armed
Forces have given their responses to the newly born organization.
Apart from the pros and cons of the establishment of this
organization, we must give it our full support as we should try
to advance the concept of nationalism.
We are grateful to the founding fathers of the republic who
laid the solid foundation on which to build this free state after
a long and bitter maturation process.
It is but natural that the younger generation should continue
their struggle. And for this very reason, ICKI, in its day to day
operations, should give more weight to the interests and role of
the younger generation and not use the organization as a tool to
acquire personal gain or benefits for a certain group.
ROMUALADUS LADO
Jakarta
Athletes and
intelligence
From Suara Karya
As everyone knows our badminton players are world renowned.
What about the athletes of other sporting events?
Athletes should not only develop their physical abilities, but
they must also enhance their mental capacities. When caught in a
critical situation during a game an athlete should be able to use
his/her intelligence to make the right decision or take effective
action to thwart the opponent's attack. Boxing and soccer are
good examples. Most of our athletes in these arenas are helpless
when facing their opponents. They often perform much to the
disappointment of the spectators.
It is true that the athletes have different levels of
intelligence. But their mental capacities can be improved
according to the level of their respective basic education.
WASITO
Trenggalek, E. Java
Alamsjah
and ICKI
From Editor
There are more than five associations of intellectuals in
Indonesia, but Alamsjah Ratu Perwiranegara seeks to establish an
association called Association of Indonesian Nationalist
Intellectuals (ICKI).
Indeed, although he is merely the mediator, Alamsjah should
not use the word "Nationalist" because it seems that other
similar associations lack any spirit of nationalism.
Certainly, such a perception is untrue because the basic
purpose of most of the associations is to enhance the quality of
human resources so that Indonesian people play a bigger role in
national development.
Another thing is that ICKI seems to be adopting a supervisory
role over other intellectual associations because, Alamsjah
explained that besides intellectuals who haven't joined any
association, the members who are listed in one of the other
organizations are also eligible to become members of ICKI.
As an Indonesian citizen, I agree with Minister of Defense and
Security Gen. Edi Sudrajat's statement that it would be better if
the word "Nationalist" is omitted from ICKI, and that perhaps no
more associations of intellectuals are necessary.
MUHAMMAD HAFRI
Jambi
Toll road
restrictions
From Bisnis Indonesia
Trucks loaded with scrap iron were not allowed to use the
Kebun Jeruk-Tangerang toll road recently following an accident
between a PPD bus and similar trucks.
I question why this restriction is only enforced on the Kebun
Jeruk-Tangerang toll road, while trucks pass freely on other
roads throughout Jakarta. When my drivers asked the reason behind
this selective enforcement, the officers could not give a clear
answer.
So, my drivers are now forced to take alternative, more time
consuming roads from Kebun Jeruk to Tangerang.
Shipping 1,000 tons of scrap iron from Tanjung Priok to
Tangerang now takes my drivers two days via the toll road. If
they use the alternative roads, it takes three days.
This means that my company must shell out US$8,000 for the
one-day delay. So, if I import 6,000 tons of scrap iron, I have
to pay an extra US$48,000 because of the delay.
I don't understand why the accident is considered a strong
enough reason for forbidding similar trucks to pass on the toll
road. Everybody knows that one of the main functions of highways
is to ease the distribution of raw materials of strategic
industries, such as my company, between industrial areas and
Cengkareng airport or Tanjung Priok harbor.
BAMBANG P
Tangerang, W. Java