Activists Urge Indonesia's New House To Take Up Pro-Environment Agenda

Fidelis E Satriastanti, Jakarta Globe 12 Oct 09;

The newly installed members of the House of Representatives only start work today, but already they have “homework” in the form of a comprehensive green agenda being pushed by environmentalists.

During a weekend event, leading green advocates urged new lawmakers to review all laws considered to be detrimental to the environment and people’s welfare, implement more sustainable development programs and give the people a greater say in the creation and implementation of laws designed to protect the environment, particularly the 2009 Environmental Protection and Management Law. The advocates also encouraged the government to take a stronger leadership role in climate change negotiations.

“We are aware that the majority of House members are young and new so they probably do not really comprehend environmental issues,” said Chalid Muhammad, coordinator of the Indonesian Green Institute.

“We [green groups] will approach each faction to address these issues because lawmakers need to be reminded [of their importance]. Hopefully they will be better than previous members.”

Berry Nahdian Furqon, executive director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), said environmental issues went beyond science into the realm of the economy and politics.

“The House is important because it decides on the country’s development,” Berry said.

“Lawmakers need to realize that policy-making in this country has been very destructive because the government has only been about exploiting natural resources as a commodity, without paying attention to the welfare of the people.”

Siti Maimunah, national coordinator of the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam), said the previous House had been a disaster for the environment because many of the lawmakers approached their job as businesspeople more concerned with profit than looking after the interests of constituents.

“Because our [government’s] development paradigm is exploitation, it’s easy to understand why some members only thought about how to earn more money,” Siti said, adding that new lawmakers had no choice but to give people a greater voice in dealing with environmental issues and crimes, as mandated in the new law on environmental protection.

The law stipulates coordination between civil servant investigators, police and prosecutors in handling environmental cases.

Teguh Juwarno, a House member from the Muslim-based National Mandate Party (PAN), said new lawmakers had their work cut out for them in dealing with green issues.

“Yes, we’re facing many challenges,” he said. “One concerns laws that are now being implemented. After the government signs the law, it thinks the job is done. But the problem lies in synchronizing the laws with other sectors. But with civil society’s help in reminding us of what we are supposed to do, I hope we can do better than the last House.”

Budiman Sudjatmiko, a legislator from the nationalist Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said that while 70 percent of the new lawmakers were relatively young and many had experience as activists, they could struggle to balance their idealism with their new responsibilities in the House.

“That is the reality. But I don’t think we should be pessimistic about the new lawmakers because they will also play a more significant role besides just budgeting,” Budiman said.

“Each member has the right to establish organizations outside of the House to accommodate the aspirations of their constituents,” he added.