Responding to Residents' Reports, Provincial Government Investigates Allegations of Palm Oil Waste Contamination in West Sulawesi Agriculture Areas

WEST SULAWESI - The West Sulawesi Provincial Government (Pemprov) has dispatched an integrated team to inspect alleged palm oil plantation waste pollution affecting community-owned agricultural areas in Baras Village, Pasangkayu Regency.

The Head of the Regional Law Enforcement Division (PPUD) of the West Sulawesi Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and Fire Department, Dermawan, stated that the inspection was a follow-up to a public report regarding alleged environmental pollution by a palm oil plantation company in Pasangkayu Regency.

"The palm oil plantation company is suspected of dumping waste into the river, impacting residents' agricultural activities," Dermawan said in Mamuju on Wednesday, as reported by Antara.

The integrated team from the West Sulawesi Provincial Government, consisting of members of the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the Environmental Agency, and the Forestry Agency, conducted an on-site inspection of the factory and surrounding areas.

The activities included taking river water samples for laboratory testing, checking the waste treatment system, and verifying the implementation of land application methods in the palm oil plantation area.

Dermawan stated that the team inspected nine waste retention ponds and existing drainage channels.

"We have taken river water samples from the suspected dumping site. We also directly inspected the community's oil palm plantation to ensure that the land application techniques were carried out in accordance with regulations," said Dermawan.

Meanwhile, Alexander Bontong, Head of the Pollution and Damage Control Division of the West Sulawesi Provincial Environmental Agency, stated that PT Palma Sumber Lestari had prepared approximately 132 hectares of potential land for application, but based on field verification, only 95.1 hectares were available.

"Of this area, a joint agreement has been signed between the company and the community regarding the use of liquid waste. Some of the land has been channeled with liquid waste for fertilization, while the rest is in the process of being excavated," Alexander explained.

Acting Head of the West Sulawesi Provincial Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and Fire Department, Aksan Amrullah, stated that his agency continues to prioritize a balance between community protection and investment sustainability.

"We want to ensure that no party is harmed. The company and the environment must be in harmony with regulations so that they can contribute to the regional economy and improve the community's standard of living," he emphasized.

Aksan also emphasized that handling public complaints aligns with the mission of the Governor and Deputy Governor of West Sulawesi to accelerate poverty alleviation and improve public welfare.

This also concerns the enforcement of Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2024 concerning the prohibition on discharging hazardous and toxic waste into rivers, waterways, drainage channels, and water sources, which can cause environmental pollution.

"This is not just about regulations, but about protecting the environment and the future of the community," Aksan emphasized.

Meanwhile, Sugianto, Mill Manager of PT Palma Sumber Lestari, stated that his company is ready to make improvements if violations are found and remains committed to maintaining good relations with the community.

Land application is a technique for utilizing liquid waste from palm oil mills by channeling it into the ground through special channels, which is used as liquid fertilizer because it contains nutrients needed by plants.