October 3, 2009 marks the month in which Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management (Law 32/2009) was signed, replacing Law Number 23 of 1997 concerning Environmental Management and replacing Law Number 4 of 1982 concerning Basic Provisions for Environmental Management.
The drafting of Law 32/2009 was carried out by involving stakeholders, namely government officials, people’s representatives, non-governmental organizations, professional organizations, and the business world in a broad and participatory manner.
Even though the law governing environmental management has been in place since 1982 and has been changed twice, environmental problems continue to arise and cause concern.
The quality of the environment is declining as a result of water, air and sea pollution, land contamination, forest and land fires (karhutla) and environmental damage such as landslides, erosion, flooding, acid rain, and thinning of the ozone layer due to… ozone depleting substances (ODS), dan perubahan iklim (climate change).
With this background, the Institute for Sustainable Earth and Resources (I-SER), a forum for academics and practitioners under the auspices of FMIPA UI, held Review 10 Tahun UU 32/2009 on Wednesday (11/9) at the Pertamina Multidisciplinary Lab Building, FMIPA-UI, UI Campus, Depok. Prof. Abdul Haris, Dean of FMIPA-UI has initiated the formation of I-SER, which is expected to become think tank in analyzing government policies regarding the management of natural resources and the environment.
The Chairman of I-SER, Prof. Jatna Supriatna, assessed that the approach of October 3, 2019, is the right momentum to evaluate and review the implementation of the 10th anniversary of the enactment of Law 32/2009. This event, Prof. Jatna continued, aims to gather opinions from academics, practitioners, professionals, non-governmental organizations, and the media about the condition of the environment after 10 years and hopes for the future in the implementation of Law 32/2009, by inviting resource persons Prof. Rachmat Witoelar, Prof. Dr. Emil Salim, DR. Sonny Keraf (Initiator of Law 32/2009), Prof. Hariadi Kartodihardjo, Dr. Andri Wibisana, Prof. Asep Warlan Yusuf.
Through this forum, academics together civil society reviewing the extent to which the implementation of Law 32/2009 has fulfilled the public’s expectations regarding their rights and obligations to, among other things, obtain a good and healthy living environment; human safety, health, and life; protect the territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia from environmental pollution and/or damage; guarantee the continuity of life of living creatures and the sustainability of ecosystems; and maintain the sustainability of environmental functions.
The experts and academics agreed that the results of the 10-year review of Law 32/2009 will later be used as a basis for recommendations to the Government in order to realize the vision and mission of President Joko Widodo as well as recommendations for the form of an independent environmental institution as the Coordinating Ministry for Natural Resources and the Environment assisted by an Operational Agency, to carry out the 2020–2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), and control the use of natural resources wisely, and realize sustainable development while anticipating regional and global environmental issues.
