KLHK Stops Plastic Seed Processing Factory Activities In Tangerang That Make Air Pollution

Officers from the Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry sealed the plastic seed processing plant in Tangerang City, Banten Province, Tuesday (5/9/2023). (PHOTO BETWEEN/HO-Ministry of Environment and Forestry)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has stopped the activities of plastic seed processing plants in Tangerang City, Banten Province, because they are proven to pollute the air with black smoke.

Director of Criminal Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Yazid Nurhuda said that his party is now collecting evidence and conducting an in-depth investigation regarding the alleged criminal act committed by the CV Inti Jaya Plastic homepage company.

"If it is found that there is evidence of a criminal act in the field of environmental management protection, then the handling will be increased to the investigation stage of the processing of plastic seeds," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 7.

He explained that CV Inti Jaya Plastik carried out activities to make plastic seeds from chilies.

Based on the results of field inspections, said Yazid Nurhuda, the company owned by KK (50 years) does not have environmental documents for processing plastic seeds.

The Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ratio Ridho Sani, as well as the Head of the Jabodetabek Air Pollution Control Task Force, emphasized the government's seriousness in reducing air pollution that surrounds Jabodetabek.

"If the activities carried out by supervision are proven to violate the rules, we will take firm action in the form of administrative sanctions, lawsuits related to environmental losses, and enforcement of criminal law," said Rasio.

Based on Article 98 paragraph 1 of Law number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, the threat of punishment if intentionally committing an act that causes air pollution is a maximum of 10 years and a maximum fine of Rp. 10 billion.

If the air pollution activity results in people being injured or causing health harm, then the penalty is a maximum imprisonment of 12 years and a maximum fine of IDR 12 billion, said Ratio Ridho Sani.