Regions not prepared to issue toxic waste licenses

Regional authorities are not qualified to issue toxic waste management licenses to firms, posing a threat to the environment.

The central government recently shifted the authority to issue toxic waste management licenses to local administrations.

Previously, environment ministry officials were responsible for issuing permits to companies to manage their toxic waste.

On Tuesday, a number of officials from local administrations admitted they were not confident with this responsibility because they lacked the knowledge and facilities, which the central government needed to provide.

"Frankly speaking, we have not been prepared to assume such authority," Pontianak regency's head of supervision and analysis of environmental impacts, Syari Usmulyono, said during a two-day toxic waste conference.

"We must not be given authority to issue licenses to local administrations as we lack the facilities, including the human resources," Syari said.

Regional administrations are reluctant to accept authority because they do not want to be held liable for making mistakes, observers have said.

The recent 2009 Environmental Protection and Management Law states officials who issue toxic waste management licenses to companies can face up to three years in jail and Rp 3 trillion (US$320 million) in fines if companies pollute.

Indonesia currently has only one facility for hazardous waste treatment, run by PT Prasadha Pamunah Limbah Industri (PPLi), in Bogor, West Java.

According to the law, companies cannot treat radioactive, infectious, explosive and certain reactive waste, as well as oil above 500 parts per million, or ammonium salts.

Many companies at the conference complained about PPLi's restrictions and said they encouraged companies to dump hazardous waste without treatment.

Data from the ministry showed the country produced about 7 million tonnes of hazardous waste each year.

"But around 2 million tonnes of hazardous waste and substances were left untreated, which could greatly damage the environment and impact on communities," Imam Hendargo Abu Ismoyo, the ministry's deputy for toxic waste management, said.

Imam also said Indonesia could be affected by countries that illegally exported hazardous waste.

"Indonesia is a target for illegal exporting of toxic waste," he said. "Singapore is one country that may do this."

He said there were 2,000 entry points into the country that could be used for dumping hazardous waste.

He also said because Indonesia was a transit location, ships from countries such as Australia or India could also dump their waste in Indonesia.

State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar said high environmental standards must not be compromised.

Indonesia will discuss issues related to transboundary movements of hazardous waste within the Basel Convention, a global environmental agreement on hazardous and other waste.