Coal Dust Pollution Spreads In Marunda, Dangers Local People's Health

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) received complaints from residents of Marunda, Cilincing, North Jakarta. They are worried about the coal dust pollution that is spreading in their area.

KPAI Commissioner, Retno Listyarti, admitted that she received the initial information from a member of the DKI Regional House of Representatives from the PDIP faction, Jhonny Simanjuntak, who received the report from the residents of his electoral district.

Finally, Retno visited the Marunda area some time ago. During her supervision, Retno received testimonies from several residents regarding the impact of coal ash pollution.

Retno said residents admitted that the impact of pollution began to be felt in 2018 until now. It is getting worse day by day the health of residents, including children.

"In addition to respiratory diseases that are often experienced by residents, now residents often experience skin diseases that make itchy all over, even children often wake up at night because of itching that attacks the whole body", said Retno in her statement, Monday, March 14.

One of the testimonies came from a father who has three children who are still in school. To Retno, the father admitted that his family suffers from a skin disease that causes itching all over the body.

With her own eyes, Retno saw the father's son often scratching his body, assisted by his father.

"With teary eyes and a hoarse voice, the father told me that his children didn't sleep well at night because the itching was unbearable, even the son once said he couldn't stand it anymore", said Retno.

Furthermore, coal dust pollution was also proven in the Child-friendly Integrated Public Space (RPTRA) of Marunda Flats. Every time, RPTRA officers have to sweep the floor and clean children's toys in the RPTRA yard because coal dust often sticks.

Retno regretted this. She said that the children's playground, which was supposed to be a comfortable place, turned out to be an unsafe place for children.

“The stories told by residents show that coal pollution is real and has already endangered the health of the residents of Marunda Flats. Especially the suffering of the children who are affected by this pollution. The provincial government must act immediately to save the children, the best interests of the children must be the basis for quick action", she stressed.