Environmental Pollution, Steel Disbursement Factory In Banten Sealed By KLH

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment (KLH) has sealed and stopped the operation of the combustion furnace belonging to PT Xin Yuan Steel (XYS) Indonesia in Balaraja, Tangerang Regency, Banten, for polluting air and serious violations of environmental documents.

Deputy for Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Environment and Environment Control Agency (BPLH) Rizal Irawan said the sealing was the result of intensive supervision for two days by environmental supervisors who found the steel smelting factory operating a furnace unit without being listed in environmental documents and producing combustion emissions that were not fully exploited by the control equipment.

"Air pollution is threatened with imprisonment of 12 years and a fine of Rp. 12 billion, in accordance with Article 98 of Law 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management. If a corporation is carried out, it can be subject to additional penalties in the form of confiscation of profits and environmental restoration," said Rizal Irawan, quoted from ANTARA, Sunday, July 20, 2025.

He explained that emissions that escaped were spread to the environment through unofficial channels at risk of lowering air quality around industrial areas. Therefore, according to the authority of the Ministry of Environment and Environment (KLH/BPLH), operational cessation is carried out to prevent further impacts of air pollution due to industrial activities that do not comply with environmental regulations.

In addition, the KLH/BPLH Gakkum team also found piles of steel slag waste that were not equipped with a B3 waste management permit according to the provisions. The hoarding is carried out in open areas and has the potential to pollute the soil and surrounding water sources.

One combustion furnace unit is also known not to be listed in the company's official environmental permit, adding to the list of administrative and technical violations committed by the company,

Director of Environmental Complaints and Supervision of KLH/BPLH Ardyanto Nugroho explained that the results of the examination strengthened the initial findings about the potential for pollution due to uncontrolled metal burning activities.

"We will take firm action against businesses/activities that violate and have caused a decrease in air quality and violate laws and regulations in the environmental sector. The threat of punishment is administrative sanctions, compensation for environmental losses, and crime," said Ardy.

Not only that, he said, to ensure the impact of environmental pollution, KLH/BPLH will conduct laboratory tests on steel slag waste found at the location.

If proven to pollute the environment, the company is obliged to carry out environmental restoration in accordance with the provisions of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management.