Palm Oil Leaks Contaminate Mentaya River, Central Kalimantan, Halikinnor Regent Angry Asks For Quick Investigation

East Kotawaringin Regent, Central Kalimantan, Halikinnor (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Regent of East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan, Halikinnor, ordered the Environment Agency and related agencies to thoroughly investigate the leakage of crude palm oil (CPO) in the waters around the Port of Bagendang.

"There is no official report yet but I have ordered the Environment Agency to check it. I am also grateful because yesterday the DPRD was immediately responsive. This is of course due to pollution, so there are provisions of the law on the environment", Halikinnor said in Sampit, as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, August 10.

The incident of an alleged CPO oil leak from one of the barges was discovered by Rudianur during a visit to Bagendang Port, last Friday, August 6. The Bagendang Port area is managed by PT Pelindo III Sampit.

This incident was followed up by the Chairman of the East Kotawaringin Regional House of Representatives Commission IV, Muhammad Kurniawan Anwar, who came to the location accompanied by officials from the Sampit Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) Office and the East Kotawaringin Transportation Service on Saturday, August 7.

During the visit, it was discovered that the CPO that polluted the Mentaya River came from a barge with a crack in the hull. CPO then seeps and leaks into the river.

Responding to the incident, Halikinnor admitted that he had contacted the Sampit Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) Office.

He asked that immediate steps be taken to ensure that the CPO floating in the river is localized and handled so that it does not disturb it because the Mentaya River is a source of water for the people in this area.

According to Halikinnor, incidents like this have often happened. For this reason, it will evaluate so that similar incidents do not continue to occur.

The local government will issue an official letter to the relevant parties to ensure that the transportation of CPO and other risky goods is truly safe.

Halikinnor asked Sampit KSOP to be firm regarding standardization of fleets such as which ships or barges are appropriate or not. If it is not feasible, then it is hoped that it will not be allowed to sail and load risky goods.

"Of course it will be followed up according to the provisions. There are sanctions or maybe what, it's according to the regulations. That can be criminal. There are stages. The extent of the negligence, especially if it's due to lack of security against their activities", said Halikinnor.