Kutai issues strong warning against coal companies

A number of coal companies operating in Kutai regency, East Kalimantan have recently received a strong warning from the local administration for their lack of commitment to protect environment.

In a meeting with the company's executives in Jakarta recently, the Kutai regent Samsuri Aspar warned the companies to abide by the existing environmental regulations, or lose their operating permits, local newspaper Kaltim Pos reported on Saturday.

According to the regent, many of the coal companies, mostly based in Jakarta, had failed to fulfill the requirement to obtain environmental impact analysts from the environmental agency.

As the consequence, the companies' coal mining operations have caused serious damages to the environment, inciting a widespread protest from the local residents, the regent said in the meeting.

Attending the meeting were representatives of PT Kitadin, Tanito Harum, PT Multi Harapan Utama, PT Pamapersada Nusantara, PT Bukit Baiduri, PT Anugrah Bara Kaltim and several other coalmine operators. (*)