Advist Khoirunikmah, Jakarta – The head of Marunda Apartment Community Forum, Didi Suwandi, said that coal dust pollution has lessened since the government temporarily suspended two stockpile companies.
"However, just because [the coal dust] is not as thick does not mean it doesn't exist," Didi said in a written statement received via WhatsApp by Tempo on Sunday, September 3, 2023.
According to Didi, to resolve the pollution issue in the Marunda Apartment, the Environmental Office has to implement a chimney emissions test in addition to the sanction to ensure the companies are carrying out lawful activities based on standard operating procedures.
"Chimney emissions test is not encouraged by the Environmental Office. They conducted vehicle emissions test instead," Didi said.
Didi believed that the chimney emissions test was necessary to find another source for the coal dust pollution in Marunda.
Previously, the Environmental Office of Jakarta sanctioned two coal stockpile companies with temporary suspension from August 30, 2023. The two companies are PT. Trada Trans Indonesia and PT. Tans Bara Energy.
The two companies were proven to have failed to complete their environmental management requirement necessary for operation. "Article 495 Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 authorized [Environmental Office] to temporarily suspend in part or in whole the business and/or operation if an environmental management violation is found," said the Head of Environmental Office of Jakarta Asep Kuswanto in a written statement shared on Wednesday evening, August 30, 2023.
Asep explained that his office is actively conducting observation of all companies with the potential to pollute the environment, especially concerning air pollution in Jakarta.
"We have deployed the entire law enforcement team in the Environmental Office to observe the industry," he said.