Soil cracks threaten 33 houses

Antara News, Monday, October 11, 2010 16:09 WIB

Tasikmalaya, W Java (ANTARA News) - Cracks in the soil are threatening 33 houses in Batu Sumur village, Manonjaya sub-district, Tasikmalaya district, West Java, the village`s head said.

Besides the houses that sheltered 115 people, a mosque was also on the unstable soil that was on the verge of collapsing, Head of Batu Sumur Village Endang Ruhimat said here Monday.

"Villagers whose houses are on the unstable soil have become so concerned about the threatening situation because some houses have begun to crack up," he said.

Despite the fragile situation, the ill-fated families had no choice but kept on staying in theirs. They opted to take refuge to their relatives or neighbors` houses to escape from undesired eventualities, he said.

"If torrential rain showers our village, residents move to their relatives` or neighbors` houses for safety," he said.

In helping the families, Ruhimat said he had prepared a piece of land for relocating the families whose houses were situated on the unstable soil.

However, the surface of the land needs to be leveled by caterpillar before the people were asked to move there.

"The villagers are waiting for the relocation but please level the surface of the land that we have prepared before they are relocated."

"We want the government to send a caterpillar to level the surface of the land," he said.

Hidden danger

The Jakarta Post, Purbalingga, Central Java | Mon, 08/23/2010 2:25 PM

A numher of sand miners in Klawing river, Purbalingga, Central Java quarry sand on Monday in the river despite the local government ban. Their activities pose a danger to a nearby bridge linking several cities in the province.(JP/Agus Maryono)

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Landslide in Italy

FLOATING PROFITS

The Jakarta Post | Tue, 11/11/2008 1:36 PM 

  

FLOATING PROFITS: Sand miners transport their goods on the Serayu river in Banyumas, Central Java, on Tuesday. The miners make better profits during the rainy season, getting around Rp 40,000 (about US$4) per boatload. JP/Agus Maryono

Police arrest Singaporeans

The Jakarta Post

BATAM, Riau Islands: Riau Islands Police have arrested and named two senior executives from a Singapore granite mining company with environmental damage as suspects.

The pair from PT KG allegedly destroyed 200 hectares of protected forest during mining on the northern Karimun islands.

The arrests on Thursday night come amid strained relations between the two countries following a ban on sand exports in January.

Indonesia was concerned massive sand quarrying would lead to environmental problems, the disappearance of small outlying islands and erosion of its maritime borders. -- JP

Indonesia on the edge of an ecological disaster, says Walhi

The Indonesian ecosystem is at stake, with both the country's land and sea resources being dangerously exploited for business purposes, threatening all efforts to preserve them for future generations. Chalid Muhammad, national executive director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), recently spoke with The Jakarta Post's Agustina Wayansari about the issue.

Question: How would you portray environmental conditions in Indonesia? Answer: We are at the edge of ecological disaster because rapid environmental destruction is occurring everywhere in the country. Our forests have been exploited through destructive logging, industrial timber plantations and massive conversion of forest land into palm oil plantations, as well as through massive coal mining exploration. In coastal areas, the land has been converted into fishponds and shopping centers. Most of the rivers in places like Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara are in very critical condition, with a high level of pollution and decreasing volume of water because of the exploitation of water catchment areas.

Our sea is also facing a huge threat, with only 6 percent of the country's total of 60,000 square kilometers of coral reef in good condition. While only 30 percent of mangrove forests are in good condition. Coastal erosion, which is occurring in more than 60 locations throughout 17 provinces in Indonesia, is also a big problem.

Is it the legal system or the law enforcement that is contributing to the environmental destruction in Indonesia?

I believe that the current exploitative policy has contributed to the damage. We also haven't seen any political will from the government, especially from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to enforce environmental restoration programs, which I believe can reduce the number of ecological disasters in the country. In 2006, we had 135 ecological disasters such as flooding, tsunamis, earthquakes, forest fires and harvest failures. The disasters have taken more than 10,000 lives, and left more than one million people homeless. The total loss reaches tens or even hundreds of trillions rupiah.

Our law enforcement is also very weak. The authorities still haven't charged any of the key people in the top management levels of offending companies or organizations, but are just targeting the operational level. Even worse, courts have set illegal loggers free in more than 70 percent of total cases.

I think the government needs to carry out fundamental corrections in its forestry policy in order to eradicate illegal logging. Currently, there is a huge gap between supply and demand. While our forest capacity to supply industrial needs is very limited, there is a high demand from the industry. Illegal loggers will exploit the weak legal system and court mafia in order to take the opportunity to supply industrial needs.

In this situation, the government needs to reduce demand and restructure the forestry sector. It should start with recalculating the total real need for wood in the country. Then stop exporting wood. Our domestic needs should be fulfilled from the remaining industrial plantations, and from imports if needed. Then carry out a logging moratorium in the forests for about 15-20 years. A moratorium would allow the forests a chance to grow back. I understand it would be a shock at first, but learning from China's experience, the shock will not last long. The moratorium would bring many benefits in the long run, including reducing the number of ecological disasters and the amount of state budget needed to overcome the disasters.

How about the involvement of the authorities in illegal logging? In some places, illegal loggers are those holding political authority and power, including the state apparatus and military officers. Political pressure sometimes occurs during the process, making it hard for law enforcers to eradicate these practices.

Is it possible to apply a moratorium here? How about its economic impact?

I believe there won't be any major impact if the government has an integrated plan. If the domestic supply isn't enough for the forestry industry, many companies will be closed down and their employees will lose their jobs. But jobs can then be allocated in ecological restoration projects, which I think will need many people.

The budget should not be a problem as currently we have trillions of rupiah for reforestation programs.

How much forest area do we still have? How much of it is damaged?

I couldn't say exactly. But the most important thing is that the level of forest destruction in this country has reached 3.4 million hectares per year since 2002. This year, it is predicted to decrease to 2.8 million hectares. It's not because the awareness among government officials or illegal loggers is improving, but simply because the forest area we still have is decreasing.

Illegal logging has cost the country around Rp 60 trillion, which does not include illegal fishing and illegal mining. That figure is far higher than our state budget.

Why do you think it is hard for the government to settle the environmental problems?

It is hard to answer this question. My hypothesis is that if the government imposes a breakthrough policy, it will have to deal with a "political power base" that has made natural resources their major source of income, either through their companies or "fees" they get from companies.

Also, industrialized countries have major control over Indonesia because many multinational corporations and transnational companies come from these countries depend on Indonesia's natural resources.

Government officials also lack awareness of environmental issues.

Could you explain the potential of our marine resources? What has the government done to manage the marine potential, or to prevent pollution?

So far, we have benefited from 60 percent of our fishery potential. Our sea is the center for the world's biodiversity, with more than 30 percent of the total mangrove and coal reefs existing here. Most of them are in very critical condition though and we have more than five million people living in poverty in coastal areas. Our sea is currently threatened by waste from industrial pollution, as mining companies seem to target the sea to dispose their waste.

We have seen the conversion of coastal areas into fish hatcheries, mostly owned by big companies, which have the potential to destroy the environment and raise conflicts among the people. We are also facing destructive fishing practices, some of which are believed to have backing from political authorities at both the local and national levels. Yet, we still have a chance if the government takes immediate action and enforces the law. And we are pleased that finally the government has banned the export of sand to Singapore.

The environment is also a global problem. How do you see the international role in Indonesia's case?

Indonesia has contributed a lot to carbon emission pollution in the world, particularly from forest fires. ASEAN countries have complained about the forest fires, but many of them are not fair to Indonesia. Malaysia and Singapore, for example, protest a lot about forest fires, but they say nothing when several islands in Indonesia sink due to the exporting of the sand to Singapore.

I think Indonesia should improve its foreign diplomacy to enforce an agreement on environmental issues. Indonesia, indeed, needs to fix something internally, but those countries benefiting from Indonesia's resources should also take part, such as by refusing to benefit from Indonesia's environmental destruction. Like Malaysia, some of the wood they get from Indonesia is the result of illegal logging, which also contributes to forest fires.

Sand exporters in Batam say ban will hurt workers

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

Sand exporters from the Riau Islands have shown dissatisfaction with the government's decision to band sand exports.

The decision will damage the islands' sand mining industry, which relies heavily on exporting its product, Riau Sand Exporting Businesspeople Association's general secretary, Syahrul Jamal, told The Jakarta Post.

At least 300,000 cubic meters of sand from Batam, Bintan, Karimun and Lingga would no longer be exported on a monthly basis to Singapore, the Riau Islands' main market, he said.

He said the quantity of exported sand was greater than local demand, which was around 100,000 cubic meters a month. For the 32 existing sand-exploration businesses operating on the island chain, Singapore is more appealing than domestic markets, he said.

"In terms of pricing and payment, exporting sand brings in more profits. It's easier to collect money from Singapore than from local buyers. Here, collecting money can be extremely difficult and lead to disputes," Syahrul said.

Singaporean buyers pay around S$9 (Rp51,300) for one cubic meter of sand, whereas local buyers pay around Rp 90,000, he said.

However, Singaporean buyers purchase the sand on the spot, pay in cash and organize transportation. When dealing with domestic buyers, Syahrul said, sellers are responsible for all aspects of the transaction.

Often, he said, retailers who purchase sand take three months to pay for the product.

"We'll analyze the policy among our members once more as we were just informed of it. The policy is political in nature and does not consider the economic impact it will have," Syahrul said.

Trade Minister Mari E. Pangestu said the export ban was imposed to promote environmental protection. The exporters have until Jan. 23 to begin winding up exports and until Feb. 5 before all transactions must be finalized.

Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said the decision was unfortunate, but that it would not slow the nation's resurgent construction industry.

There have been ongoing efforts to diversify the sources of Singapore's basic construction materials, AFP reported.

Syahrul said the new policy would reduce the production capacity of the Riau Islands' 32 sand mining companies. It could also hurt up to 3,000 workers, whose incomes depend on sand mining.

He said sand mining causes less environmental harm than other mining activities. It requires the use of about 50 hectares over three years, while other mining activities, such as coal and granite mining, usually require some 5,000 ha for use over 15 years.

"In terms of the environment, there are other much more harmful activities. We've committed S$3 from each exported cubic meter of sand toward environmental conservation," Syahrul said.

Meanwhile, Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah said he understood the central government's reasons for the ban. He said, however, many unskilled laborers employed by sand mining companies would be disadvantaged.

"We support the central government's new policy and can understand the reason why it was made," he said.

Related Story : Indonesia acts, S'pore regrets

Indonesia acts, S'pore regrets

Jakarta bans sand exports to S'pore; Republic will turn to new sources, steel-based construction

Sharon Vasoo, Deputy Foreign Editor

Todayonline.com: For some time now, Singapore has been basking in its friendship with Indonesia, trying to nudge foreign investors to go to its larger neighbour. It has been a staunch supporter of Indonesia's Riau Island's Special Economic Zones.

On Monday night, the warm ties had to negotiate a sand trap. Indonesia's Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu unilaterally announced that her country would ban the export of sand, soil and topsoil — a move that will affect mainly Singapore which imports between six and eight million tonnes of land sand annually. It comes at a time when Singapore's construction sector has just roused itself from a long, lethargic spell and is set to take off.

Singapore imports almost all the sand used in its buildings from Indonesia but is confident that it will find other sources to bridge the shortfall. It has also been persuading its developers to switch from sand-based construction to using more steel — which is more easily available and makes for quicker, cleaner projects.

Indonesia's decision may speed up this switch.

"It could also be an opportunity — just as our water disputes with Malaysia led to our engagement with Newater," said an observer.

Nevertheless, Indonesia's sudden and swift decision has not gone down well. "Singapore is disappointed," said a statement from the National Development Ministry and the Building and Construction Authority.

Ms Mari said that Indonesia took this decision because its government wanted to protect its environment and maintain the nation's maritime borders. "After observations in the field, there is actually quite heavy environmental damage and the banning of sand exports is a response to this," she said.

It is understood that Singapore had offered to work with Indonesia to address its environmental concerns.

"We regret that Indonesia did not take up our offer ..." said the statement.

Still, Jakarta decided to go ahead with the ban under which exporters have been given up to Feb 5 to honour existing sand contracts.

Observers say that the Indonesia's move was mainly to placate domestic lobby groups and provincial ministers who feel that they have not benefited from the trade that fetches Indonesia more than $120 million a year from Singapore alone. It has been the Republic's main supplier of sand since Malaysia banned exports in 1997.

On paper, the ban could affect between $60 billion and $90 billion worth of projects here that are already in the pipeline. But there is not likely to be any disruption at all.

"We have quite a sizeable sand stockpile, and we are prepared to release the stockpile to meet the immediate needs of the industry," Dr John Keung, BCA's chief executive officer told Channel NewsAsia.

Meanwhile, the alternatives are already clicking into place. The Housing and Development Board has already started procuring sand from sources outside Indonesia to produce concrete. At least one such ship, it is understood, is already on its way to Singapore.

This arrangement will ensure that Singapore builders get a steady supply of sand to make concrete for their buildings. But since the sand is being shipped from areas much further away than Indonesia, industry experts said that it was likely to be more expensive than Indonesian supplies. This sand could add between 1 and 2 per cent to project costs, experts said. So, it probably made more sense to switch to steel-based construction which would be marginally more expensive — it could add 3 per cent to project costs — but would see buildings come up faster, with less dependence on foreign labour.

Backing this, Mr Keung said: "It is very important for us to move away from such high dependency on sand export in construction work. We've been trying to persuade the industry to move towards a more sustainable form of construction, like the use of steel structure."

Industry experts that it was possible for Singapore to cut its sand consumption by up to 70 per cent. This would mean that the Republic would only have to import between one and two million tonnes of sand a year.

Of late, Britain has slashed its sand usage by up 70 per cent and Japan by 50 per cent.

The trend has caught on in Singapore too, with the National Library, Capitol Tower and the Ang Mo Kio Hub Mall using steel more than concrete in their structures. Even the Marina Integrated Resort design has a steely edge to it.

The construction industry here is expected to shrug off the impact of this ban sooner rather than later, observers said.

For now, they are more intrigued by the mixed signals that Indonesia is sending as far as its relationship with Singapore goes.

"Sometimes governments are forced to make tough decisions, but these decisions should not be seen as an expression of negativity against another country," said Mr Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, a former Indonesian ambassador and now a senior fellow at Jakarta's Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Not many builders in Singapore will agree with that.

Government Stops Exporting Sand

Tuesday, 23 January, 2007 | 14:35 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Department of Trade has banned all sand, soil, and top soil (including humus) exports.

This is being carried out in order to protect the environment and to safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

“After observations in the field, there is actually quite heavy environmental damage and the banning of sand exports is a response to this,” said Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu yesterday (01/23).

The ban is contained in Trade Ministerial Regulation Number 01/M-DAG/PER/1/2007 on Ban of Sand, Soil and Top Soil Exports and has been in force since 23 January 2007.

In this regulation, there are four tariff categories that are banned from being exported: natural sand, silicon sand, quartz sand and clay.

In addition to environmental damage, Mari said that the export ban was also to handle issues relating to state borders.

“Because the point is that, in addition to environmental damage and the changing inter-island configuration in the Riau Islands, it would disturb the security of inter-island borders,” she said.

Mari confirmed that the export ban will be in force permanently.

So far, the main destination for exporting sand has been Singapore.

It was recorded that in 2005, total export values reached US$9.3 million: US$6 million to Singapore, and US$2.4 million to China, with the remainder going to Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Australia.

RR Ariyani