Environmentally-sensitive companies must have Amdal certificate

State Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf said that starting Nov. 7, 2000, the government would implement Government Regulation No. 27/1999 that requires all new companies whose operations have big impacts on the environment and people in the surrounding areas to have a report on environmental impact management (Amdal).

Speaking with farmers held in the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, Keraf said that companies whose operation have great environmental and social impacts are those like cement companies and mining companies.

He said his office had rejected the proposals to establish a number of cement companies and others as they could affect the conservation of preserved forests and wild animals.

Unlike in the past, when Amdal report was presented as a formality, Keraf said an Amdal report now must be prepared together with experts and local people. (*)