Constantly Urged, DKI Provincial Government Allows PT KCN To Operate Temporarily While Completing Coal Pollution Sanctions

Illustration of a multilevel building in DKI Jakarta covered in pollution. (Antara)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through the DKI Environment Agency has allowed PT Karya Citra Nusantara (KCN) to temporarily operate port activities. This decision was made after reaping pressure from the relevant workers.

PT KCN's environmental permit was previously revoked because it was proven to have polluted coal dust in Rusunawa Marunda, North Jakarta.

Head of the DKI Jakarta LH Service Asep Kuswanto said that even though loading and unloading activities had been temporarily permitted, PT KCN had to take care of renewing environmental permits to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).

"As long as they take care of renewing permits with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, they can carry out temporary operations issued by KSOP Marunda. This temporary operation is pending environmental permits under close supervision from the relevant environmental agencies and KSOP of Marunda Port," Asep told reporters, Wednesday, January 18.

Asep emphasized that PT KCN could not easily apply for operational permits again to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. There are a number of conditions that must be met, one of which is the revision of the environmental document which is a follow-up to the previous administration of sanctions.

"Another requirement is to carry out environmental management in accordance with applicable regulations and to report regularly to relevant agencies," said Asep.

When KCN was proven to be a pollutant of coal dust in Marunda, DKI Pemprov imposed administrative sanctions. The port management company was ordered to improve its environmental management and not pollute the environment through 32 follow-up items.

After 90 days of imposition of administrative sanctions, it turns out that Marunda residents still feel the pollution from coal dust. Of the 32 sanction points imposed by the DKI Provincial Government, it turns out that only 4 sanction points have been followed up by PT KCN. This has resulted in KCN's environmental permit being revoked.

Some time ago, a number of workers held a demonstration in front of the DKI Jakarta City Hall, Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta. They demanded that Heru revoke the closure of PT KCN.

Marunda port service user coordinator (penjaspel), Munif said, as many as 2,500 workers were unemployed since the closure of PT KCN. Meanwhile, other loading and unloading companies continue to operate.

"We ask PT KCN to resume operations. For seven months KCN has had no activities, but the surrounding ports may have activities," Munif said when met in front of the DKI City Hall, Thursday, January 12.

What makes the workers wonder is why the DKI Pemprov only closed PT KCN over the problem of coal dust pollution in Marunda. Meanwhile, after PT KCN's permit was revoked, it turned out that coal dust was still contaminating residents' settlements.

"It turns out that the pollution is still there even though the KCN is closed. The question is us as the breadwinners, why is it only the KCN that is being questioned. So, we asked (the DKI Provincial Government) to re-evaluate the decision letter for the revocation of the KCN," said Munif.