TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government unexpectedly issued a policy that excludes FABA (coal fly ash and bottom ash) from the list of hazardous and toxic waste, locally knwon as B3 waste, which is strongly opposed by environmental organizations.

Prior to this issuance, little are aware that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had also issued a recommendation to drop FABA from hazardous waste category.

This was written in the policy brief on FABA management that intends to better utilize this type of waste and provide added economic value.The anti-graft watchdog did not explain in detail about this recommendation that was presented to President Jokowi last year.

“The study and recommendation was presented to the President on November 20, 2020,” said KPK acting-spokesperson on prevention, Ipi Maryati, in a written statement on March 18.

Tempo obtained a copy of the aforementioned KPK recommendation which was dated November 20 and signed by the KPK chairperson Firli Bahuri.

In the letter, the KPK recommended FABA coal waste to be dropped from the country’s B3 waste category and cited literature studies from Japan, South Korea, United States, Australia, China, and European countries to back their recommendation.

KPK argues that revoking FABA from the hazardous waste category will be able to prevent corruption in the licensing sectors, reduce the cost of powering PLTU plants. The potential benefit of FABA in other industries with an estimated value of Rp300 trillion can also be realized, the anti-graft agency says.

Read: Walhi Slams Govt for Excluding Coal Waste FABA from Hazardous List

M ROSSENO AJI