Gov't Sues Firm Polluting Cileungsi River

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Environment and Forestry Ministry received eight reports related to companies that dumping industrial waste to Cileungsi River, and so one of them has undergone criminal proceedings, said the ministry official Beni Setiawan.

“Other than imposing an administrative sanction, we also take legal proceedings. It’s currently ongoing,” said Beni in a meeting with Ombudsman regarding its final report on the result of maladministration examination in handling pollution in Cileungsi River at his office Monday.

Beni explained that seven out of eight cases were submitted by the ministry’s directorate general of pollution and environmental damage, and the rest one report from the directorate general of law enforcement.

Read also: 1.2 Tons of Waste Cleaned Up from Ciliwung River

One company that had been imposed with an administrative sanction and currently facing legal proceedings is PT Kahaptek, and two companies currently deal with administrative sanction namely PT Aspek Kumbong and PT Trio Putra Utama.

Meanwhile, five other companies namely PT Tiara Utama Laundry, PT Megasari Makmur I, PT Sun Lee Jaya, PT Sinar Hoperindo, and PT Cahaya Mega Laundry are still in the process of law enforcement and trained by Bogor Environment Agency.

Jakarta Ombudsman head Teguh Nugroho said that his side is coordinating with West Java Police and National Police’s Criminal Directorate to handle a criminal act of polluting Cileungsi River.

“It is not enough to only impose an administrative sanction to a business firm polluting the environment. They have to face legal proceeding as to generate deterrent effect for others,” Teguh underlined.

IMAM HAMDI