Court dumps Walhi's lawsuit against Freeport

The South Jakarta District Court decided on Thursday to reject a lawsuit by the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) against copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia on the ground that Walhi's letter of attorney to its lawyers was ambiguous.

There was no explanation from Walhi nor Freeport about the court's verdict.

Walhi filed the lawsuit against Freeport with the South Jakarta District Court on July 27, 2000. Walhi demanded Freeport to make a public apology for covering up information or giving misleading information about its environmental management. Such manipulation of environmental management information, according to Walhi, is against Environmental Management Law.

Walhi has assembled a number of lawyers from noted non-governmental organizations to fight for its cause against Freeport. Lawyers representing Walhi include R. Dwiyanto Prihartono (PBHI), Bambang Widjojanto (YLBHI), Abdul Haris Semendawai (ELSAM), Chairil Syah (ALPERUDI), Hotma Timbul (PBHI), Aulia Hidayat (JATAM), Albert E. Rumbekwan (ELS-HAM Irian Jaya), Adolf Waramori (ELS-HAM Irian Jaya), Ersan Budiman (ALPERUDI), and Nur Amalia (YLBHI). (*)