C. Kalimantan Gov calls for suspension of two coal miners

Central Kalimantan Governor Agustin Teras Narang has sent a letter dated April 10 to the East Barito Regent, Ampera Y. Mebas, urging the regency administration to suspend the operations of two miners PT Karya Gemilang Limpah Rejeki and PT Bangun Nusantara Jaya Makmur for polluting three local rivers, Kompas reported on Monday.

?This is a form of response of the government to the complaints of the East Barito people in relation to river pollution by the coal miners,? Teras said.

Villagers filed the complaint on March 17. The provincial administration then assigned the local environmental office and accredited laboratory to conduct investigation on March 20-30, the paper said.

Meanwhile, Regent Ampera said that he has yet to receive the letter from the governor as it might have been sent late on Friday. Harneto, spokesman for the two companies said that the two firms have yet to receive any letter from the governor or the regent for the suspension of their operations. (*)