Ministry Investigates B3 Waste Disposal in Military HQ

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An investigator of the Ministry of Forestry and Environment (KLHK) Ardhi Yusuf, will summon two companies and six transport firms in light of the alleged case of hazardous and toxic waste (B3 waste) disposal at military headquarters.

The summon was a follow-up order following the investigation report published in Tempo Magazine February 18-24 edition. "We will summon eight companies that produced the waste and transporters to clarify this issue Monday next week," said Ardhi on March 6, 2019 at the Manggala Wanabakti building, Jakarta.

Ardhi explained that the ministry's investigators would first collect evidence and testimony. Should the team find indications of criminal offenses, investigators would report the case to the police. "Because this case has no permit, so it is a crime," Ardhi added.

As reported in Tempo Magazine, many companies allegedly disposed of B3 waste in eight military headquarters, including the Air Military Force (TNI AU) in East Java.

The two companies involved in the case were PT Wilmar Nabati Indonesia and PT Adiprima Suraprinta, while the six transport firms suspected to be involved were PT Lewind, PT Bumi Anugerah Abadi, PT Putra Restu Abadi, PT Tenang Jaya Sejahtera, PT Surya Wijaya Megah, and PT Jaya Sakti Lingkungan Hidup.

PT Wilmar however, denied the allegation. The company's legal official Johanes said that the waste produced by the firm was not harmful.

Meanwhile, TNI AU spokesman First Marshall Noval Samyoga said that the waste disposal in the military headquarters had the permit issued by the East Java's Environment Agency. "The land has been certified also on behalf of TNI AU," Noval added.

DEWI NURITA