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