KLHK Imposes Multiple Layers Of Punishment On Suspects In Illegal Hazardous Waste Management In Karawang

Director General of Gakkum KLHK Ratio Ridho Sani (center) and Head of the KLHK Jabalusra Regional Gakkum Center Taqiuddin (left) met by the media after a press conference at the KLHK Office, Jakarta, Friday (29/7/2022) (ANTARA/Prisca Triferna)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has imposed multiple layers of punishment on suspects who manage the illegal disposal of hazardous and toxic waste (B3) in social forestry areas in Karawang Regency, West Java to provide a deterrent effect on perpetrators.

"Brother MU is suspected of violating the Environmental Law and Forestry Law and we are carrying out criminal law enforcement in layers," said Director General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkum LHK) Ratio Ridho Sani at a press conference at the KLHK office in Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA. , Friday, July 29.

The MU suspect has been named a suspect in the disposal of waste in the Social Forestry Forest Utilization Permit (IPHPS) area in Parungmulya Village, Karawang Regency on July 27, 2022.

MU is subject to multiple layers of punishment based on Article 98 Paragraph 1 and/or Article 104 of Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management with a threat of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 10 billion.

The suspect was also threatened with a crime based on Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry which was amended by Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation. Article 78 Paragraph 2 letter a with a maximum imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of IDR 7.5 billion.

Ratio Sani said he had ordered his staff to investigate the case and asked investigators to develop investigations into other parties related to the management of the forest area.

Head of the Balai Gakkum for Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara (Jabalnusra) KLHK Taqiuddin in the press conference explained that the location of the crime scene is quite far from community settlements. Based on the results of the mapping, the area for the landfill is around 0.18 hectares.

At the landfill site, various types of B3 waste were found, such as medical equipment, chemical bottles, electronic waste, expired drugs and various other B3 wastes.

At the location, which did not have an environmental permit and a business permit, a banner was also found stating the suspect was in charge of the location.

"The follow-up will certainly be attempted to carry out a recovery, in collaboration with the relevant directorates," he explained.