[hanomantoto]

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Ministry of Environment has found 26 companies suspected of polluting the Ciujung River in Serang Regency, Banten. The pollution of the 142-kilometer-long Ciujung River has affected hundreds of thousands of residents in four areas, namely Tanara, Tirtayasa, Carenang, and Lebakwangi.

“At least this initial data reveals 26 companies that we suspect are contributing to the quality of the Ciujung River,” said Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq during his visit to Serang Regency on Friday, November 8, 2024.

He explained that the data on companies suspected of polluting the Ciujung River was obtained through drone mapping and satellite imagery. Hanif and the Ministry of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions conducted an impromptu inspection of two of the 26 companies. Both companies are located in the Kragilan area and are pulp and paper factories.

The Ministry of Environment has also sealed the illegal waste disposal sites of both industries. One of the company’s waste disposal sites covers an area of 42 hectares. The waste projections at the site reach two million tons per year. Another company’s waste processing site covers half a hectare and is located near the Ciujung River.

Hanif has also ordered his subordinates to conduct environmental audits of both companies. The Ministry of Environment has sealed off unauthorized landfills near the factories as a law enforcement measure.

He mentioned that these companies could be prosecuted under Articles 98 and 103 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law. “I believe that corrective measures must be taken together to ensure the safety of the environment for all people in Indonesia,” Hanif said.

The Ciujung River stretches from Lebak Regency, Pandeglang Regency to Serang Regency, along 142 kilometers. Thousands of residents in the three regencies depend on the river for their livelihoods. Pollution of the Ciujung River has been a recurring problem since 2017.

Hanif urged the provincial and regency governments to take decisive action against the pollution. “Our presence on the ground will raise awareness that the government is really committed to direct observation on the ground. At least in the initial phase, the minister and I must personally map the sites,” he said.

He explained the implementation of policies enacted in the environmental sector. “So that when we make policies at a higher level, we can understand whether these policies can be implemented and what the risks are, will be clearly understood,” he said.

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