KPK: Several Countries Have Scrapped Coal Waste from B3 Waste List

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed that it had thoroughly reviewed its recommendations on the elimination of coal waste (Fly Ash Bottom Ash or FABA) from a list of toxic and hazardous waste (B3 waste).

Deputy Chairman Lili Pintauli Siregar said that her side saw the potential for corruption if FABA remained in the B3 waste category.

“Based on the study results, the categorization of FABA as B3 waste is not in line with international practice. In several countries, FABA has been categorized as non-B3 waste,” said Lili in an online discussion on Monday, March 22, 2021.

She argued that the Government Regulation No. 101 of 2014 concerning Management of Hazardous and Toxic Waste, which includes FABA, was different from what applied in the global.

Meanwhile, state-owned electricity firm PLN has thus far spent a huge budget for processing FABA due to operating a number of coal-fired power plants (PLTUs).

As a result, PLN increased the electricity supply costs (BPP) to Rp74 per kWh (kilowatt-hour) in 2019. Thus, the anti-graft body concluded that FABA as B3 waste could increase the risk of corruption in its management.

KPK Monitoring Director Agung Yudha Wibowo further explained that the coal waste could still be beneficial for many industries, such as processed into cement, paving block, and fertilizer. “Using FABA properly and under international standards will boost the national economy,” said Agung.

Read: FABA Coal Waste No Longer Hazardous; KPK Claims it Reduces Graft

ANDITA RAHMA