Fidelis E Satriastanti

Walhi Calls for Environmental Audit After Pertamina Sumatra Blast

Following a PT Pertamina pipeline accident last week that left one dead in South Sumatra, Indonesia's leading green group on Monday urged the local government to conduct a thorough investigation of its impact on the environment in the area.

“Our area is very prone to this kind of incident and this is not the first time it has happened here. So, it is very important for the [local] government to make an assessment of the environmental damage as stipulated by the Environment Law,” said Anwar Sadat, executive director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi).

The explosion on Wednesday in Lembak Tapus village, Muara Enim district, killed 12-year-old Febi Pantio and injured seven other teenagers who were playing near an oil pipeline managed by the state oil and gas firm.

Three of the victims were still in hospital with burn injuries.

The 2009 Law on the Environment requires local governments to conduct an audit on activities that have high environmental risks and also on entrepreneurs believed not to be in violation of environmental regulations.

Anwar said there should be more concrete action from the government concerning environmental damage because there had been too little consideration of such a vital issue.

“Up until now, there were still no discussions on how to repair the ecological damage, even though the law also states that whoever damages the environment should consider restoration efforts,” he said.

Anwar added that the only solid action being taken by local governments now was to improve the amount of available drinking water.

The government also needs to clarify what victims of environmental accidents are entitled to receive in compensation, both from the government and the company responsible, he said.

Ahmad Najib, head of the South Sumatra Environmental Office, said he was still waiting for the official report on the Pertamina accident from the head of the district.

“We can help by providing technical assistance, for instance with laboratory tests, but based on the law, if it occurred at the district level, we should wait for their decisions,” Ahmad said.

The investigation was being conducted by local government officials and the police, he added.

He said his office could recommend only administrative sanctions over the possibility of mismanagement having caused damage to the environmental or loss of life.

“We are concerned about restoring environmental conditions, which is why we will be delivering the administrative sanctions and warnings to the company,” he said.

Anwar said the law gave the environment office the same rights to investigate as the police and local government.

“However, concerning the enforcement of the law, or the criminal code, we will leave that in the hands of the police and the local government.”

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