Jakarta, Ekuatorial – More than quarter of 2,000 companies in Indonesia were indicated did not comply to environmental regulations, said a senior official in Jakarta, on Thursday (27/11).
“Up to date, we recorded 71 percent out of 2,000 companies for Proper program has better compliance. Meanwhile, 29 percent do not obey regulations, said Karliansyah, deputy on Environmental Pollution Control, Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF), on discussion about Company Environmental Performance program for 2013 – 2014, known simply as Proper.
Proper is an annual program of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry which gives evaluation over companies’ obedience towards environment regulations. The rank is usually given through colors, black are for those with bad performances to green or gold as best companies. For this year’s announcement, it will be held on 2 December.
Karliansyah said that positive outcomes came from Proper, especially on reducing organic liquid waste for 56 percent. However, he added that it has yet to contribute to river pollution as 60 percent was from domestic activities instead of companies.
Sudharto P. Hadi, head of Proper program, said companies receiving good assessment were representing public’s acceptance which resulted to sustainability of their companies. In addition, Proper assessment guaranteed for positive impacts in terms of better environment and health for employees and people.
However, one of the greatest challenges of the program was to increase company participation. Two thousands companies were still small compare to the total of 24,000 companies operating in Indonesia.
Ibrahim Arsyad of PT Medco Energy, said that the program will encourage business people on how to manage environment. “It is important because business needs environment and it’s becoming company’s responsible to protect the environment. It is why business sustainability must be done by protecting the environment,” Arsyad said adding that majority companies in Indonesia has increased their awareness on environment issues.
On law enforcement, Karliansyah said that the ministry was investigating 17 companies with bad Proper assessment last year. “All companies have been reported to law enforcement deputy and they were all given administrative sanction, no legal charges,” he said. strong>Januar Hakam