Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has sealed three iron and steel factories in Serang, Banten, for contributing to air pollution by releasing uncontrolled industrial emissions.The factories — identified only by their initials, CBS, CS, and PT SBJ — are all located in the Cikande Modern Industrial Area.“We will not allow residents of Greater Jakarta to be exposed to polluted air caused by industrial negligence and violations,” said Deputy Minister of Environment Diaz Hendropriyono on Wednesday.
The facilities were sealed by Hendropriyono, who also serves as deputy head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH), on Tuesday following an inspection that uncovered serious violations of emission control regulations. He was accompanied by Rizal Irawan, the ministry’s deputy for environmental law enforcement.
At CBS, which has an annual production capacity of 270,000 tons, officials found that only part of the chimney system was operational. Most emissions from the smelting furnaces were being released into the air without treatment.
At CS, previously warned by the ministry in 2023, inspectors noted that no corrective action had been taken. The plant, which produces 30,000 tons annually, was releasing emissions directly into the atmosphere through a single chimney.
The most severe violation was recorded at SBJ, which operates 12 smelting furnaces with a total capacity of 8,816 tons per year. The facility had no chimney system at all, allowing all emissions to be discharged untreated into the environment.
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“This is no longer just an administrative violation. It is gross negligence that threatens public health,” Irawan said. “Given the repeated nature of the offense, we will pursue stricter legal action.”
Authorities have ordered a complete suspension of operations at all three plants. Monitoring will continue to ensure compliance before any activity can resume.
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This enforcement measure is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Environment and BPLH to improve air quality nationwide by cracking down on industries that fail to meet environmental standards.
The government is urging all businesses to strictly adhere to environmental regulations in order to protect public health and support long-term sustainability.
