Not Only PT KCN, DKI Provincial Government Also Threatens Sanctions For Other Companies Contaminating Coal Dust In Marunda

The chimney emits black smoke which is suspected to have polluted the Marunda Port environment under the supervision of KSOP Marunda, Cilincing, North Jakarta / Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The DKI Provincial Government has responded to PT Karya Citra Nusantara (KCN)'s attitude that it does not want to be blamed alone as the perpetrator of coal dust spreading in Marunda Flats, Cilincing, North Jakarta.

Jakarta Environmental Service Public Relations Officer, Yogi Ikhwan, said that his party had actually carried out supervision of several loading and unloading ports around the Blencong River.

"We carry out potential surveillance there. It can't be just one company. Similar companies carry out the same activity, cook, don't we check? We monitor it. It's supervised together", said Yogi when contacted, Monday, March 28.

However, Yogi admitted that PT KCN first received the sanction because there had been direct complaints from Marunda residents. Therefore, a new administrative sanction was imposed on PT KCN.

If other companies have been proven to be the perpetrators of coal dust pollution in Marunda, based on the results of supervision, the DKI Provincial Government will also impose administrative sanctions.

"We also monitor not only KCN but also loading and unloading ports around there. We check everything, we investigate. We also find violations, we will impose similar administrative sanctions", he explained.

The government has imposed administrative sanctions on PT KCN. PT KCN was ordered to improve its environmental management and not pollute the environment with 32 items that must be done.

However, it turned out that PT KCN did not want the company to be blamed alone for the air pollution. The spokesperson for PT KCN, Maya S. Tunggagini, stated that there are eight ports with loading and unloading activities for bulk commodities in the supporting area of the Main Port, namely the Tanjung Priok International Port.

The eight ports are located at several points along the banks of the Blencong River and around Marunda, Cilincing, and Bekasi which are known as ports in the Marunda area. Therefore, this coal dust pollution, according to Maya, needs to be investigated thoroughly.

"The dynamics related to the issue of coal dust pollution that affects Marunda residents need further investigation to find the truth and facts. We suspect that there are parties who have interests and tend to play the issue of coal dust only with KCN Port", Maya said.