Paper Manufacturer Accused of Producing Waste Below Standard

TEMPO.CO, Mojokerto - Two environmental conservation organizations in Mojokerto, East Java, Tresno Boemi and the Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (Ecoton) have found that the harmful content contained in the waste produced by PT Mega Surya Eratama, a paper manufacturer located in Mojokerto, has exceeded the threshold value set in the quality standard.

The Chairman of Tresno Boemi Zunianto said his side had tested the samples of the waste in the Water Quality Laboratorium (LKA) owned by Perum Jasa Tirta I. They tested the samples three times on June 13, 16, and 24.

"All of the results show that the waste has exceeded the threshold value set in the governor's regulation," said Zunianto.

The team reported their finding to the Mojokerto Environment Agency (BLH) who then denied the finding.

"According to the test result done by the Environment Laboratory of BLH’s Technical Executive Unit (UPT), there is no [parameter] exceeding [the standard]," said Mohamad Aminudin, the BLH Contamination and Environmental Damage Control Section Head.

The different perspective between the environmentalists and BLH may have resulted in different reference used to determine the threshold. The test run by Tresno Boemi uses the quality standard set for the pulp and paper industry as the base reference while BLH uses the quality standard set for the paper industry.

However, BLH agrees on following up the activists' report regarding the waste. "We will review and re-test the waste," said Aminudin.

Zunianto said activists demanded to conduct the test together in several spots to decide the valid test. Meanhwile, PT Mega Surya Eratama has yet to give confirmation regarding the matter.

ISHOMUDDIN