KLHK Supervises 32 Industrial Activities That Make Air Pollution In Jabodetabek

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) said there are 32 industries that are currently being monitored for their activities because they pollute the air in the areas of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek).

Director General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement KLHK Rasio Ridho Sani said the 32 companies were of various types of businesses ranging from coal stockpiles, companies that have coal-fired power plants (PLTU), operating boilers, manufacturing companies, cement factories, to metal smelting factories.

"Of the 32 companies, we have processed nine administrative sanctions, eight administrative sanctions companies, two companies are in the stage of collecting materials and information, and 13 companies have been installed with termination signs," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, September 8.

The ratio, which serves as Chair of the Jabodetabek Air Pollution Control Task Force, said that 32 industries were spread across 10 regions, namely two industries in East Jakarta, five industries in North Jakarta, one industry in Bekasi Regency, four industries in Bogor Regency.

Then, three industries in Karawang Regency, one industry in Tangerang Regency, four industries in Bekasi City, one industry in Bogor City, three industries in Tangerang City, and eight industries in South Tangerang City.

In addition to supervising the company, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry also supervises people who carry out open fires and have installed an appeal sign not to carry out open burning activities in 57 locations.

The steps to stop the open burning were carried out at nine points in the Jakarta area, four points in Bogor Regency, five points in Bogor City, 15 points in Tangerang Regency, 20 points in Depok City, and four points in South Tangerang City.

"We are making efforts to prevent open burning in collaboration with local governments, especially the Environmental Service in Jabodetabek," said Rasio.

"We stopped something and we warned them not to burn publicly anymore," he added.

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.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Pollution and Environmental Damage Control of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Tulus Laksono, said this morning his party coordinated with the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police and the Territorial Assistant of the Metro Jaya Military Command to stop open burning.

"The public's open waste fires must be stopped," said Tulus.

On August 17, 2023, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry formed an Air Pollution Control Task Force as an effort to deal with air pollution that enveloped the Jabodetabek area.

The task force consists of more than 100 supervisors and environmental impact controllers and is supported by environmental laboratory analysis.

They carry out inspections and supervision of the emissions of immovable sources, such as PLTU, coal stockpiles at ports, to diesel power plants (PLTD) managed by factories and buildings.

In addition, they also monitor the merger of metal and burning of waste and other burnings that are carried out openly.

"If during the examination and supervision it is found that there is a violation of the air quality standard for ambient emissions or air quality standards, then the government will take firm legal steps, including the imposition of administrative sanctions, including the termination of activities, enforcement of civil law, and criminal acts," he said.