NGOs criticize government ruling on illegal miners
Wednesday, March 15 2000 - 04:00 AM WIB
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have challenged the new ruling of the Kotabaru regency in South Kalimantan province, which plans to allow illegal miners to operate in the area.
Noor Ipansyah of the Saijaan Community Advocacy Institution said that the new policy was against the supremacy of the law.
He said that the policy was not issued in the interest of the people but was designed merely to serve the interest of certain businessmen.
Separately, Sahidudin of the Social Control Institution also criticized the new policy of the Kotabaru regent Sjahchril Darham.
The controversy focus on the policy of the new regent to review the January 1, 2000 policy of the South Kalimantan Governor which prohibited the use of public road for coal transportation.
The prohibition effectively causes difficulties for illegal miners to transport their product. Most coal-mining firms have developed their own coal road. (*)